ARH 388 Art/Craft/Design
Can the pursuit of art, craft and design lead to an improved quality of life? The international Arts and Crafts movement, begun in nineteenth-century Britain, promoted alternative visions of production that integrated art and labor, and advocated for the "gesamtkunstwerk," or a work of art that encompassed both art and craft. The movement influenced the theories of the founders of Bauhaus, who sought to create an environment where students would discover their own artistic styles through the design of objects, fixtures, and furniture, and the study of architecture, photography, film and dance. The vision of the Bauhaus has shaped the character of modern and contemporary art theory and practice until today, while the terms "art," "craft," and "design" have undergone several rhetorical shifts over the same period. This course examines the Bauhaus from diverse perspectives, including its precursor in the Arts and Crafts movement, and its legacies, including Black Mountain College. In addition, we will study Berea College’s model of learning and labor, as well as interview local artists about their art and craft.