Program in Fine Art Theory
Department of Art Theory - An Introduction
The Hungarian University of Fine Arts launched a BA
Program in Fine Art Theory in September 2009, and
established the Department of Art Theory
in 2010.
As of the academic year 2012-13, each year the department offers two
programs in accordance with the Bologna system of study cycles: a BA
Program in Fine Art Theory and an MA
Program in Contemporary Art Theory and Curatorial Studies.
Beginning in 2013-14, the department also launches its
English-language MA Program in Contemporary
Art Theory and Curatorial Studies.
BA in Fine Art Theory
The BA in Fine Art Theory is a
full-time program of study, which provides the qualification of Fine
Art Theoretician. The organizational unit responsible
for conducting the program is the Department
of Art Theory. The study cycle comprises 6 semesters.
Students must earn 180 ECTS credits in order to receive a diploma. 10
state-financed places are offered. The number of tuition fee-paying
places is expected to be 4. The expected tuition fee for the program
is HUF 350,000 per semester.
The BA Program in Fine Art Theory
offers students a basic, comprehensive training scheme in art
history, curatorial studies and practice. The objective of the
program is to provide the future “operators” of the art scene
with a complex training at the undergraduate level: students obtain a
basic, comprehensive grasp of the history of fine art, contemporary
tendencies, institutions and projects, as well as a wide spectrum of
curatorial activities and art-related academic fields.
Graduates of the BA Program in Fine Art
Theory will be able to
effectively participate in the operation of institutions and in
projects aimed at creating cultural productions, as well as to
successfully mediate between the artists, the society, art
enthusiasts, patrons, art experts and the wider public. The program
offers comprehensive theoretical and practical training and provides
an up-to-date study scheme leading to a marketable degree (in the
areas of cultural financing pertaining to museums, galleries, art
periodicals, and the commercial sector). In addition to the
theoretical aspects of curatorial studies, there is strong emphasis
on its practical components (exhibition-making, editing of
publications, project financing, submitting applications for funding,
organising international programs) as well as a keen focus on keeping
abreast of the latest research results in relation to – primarily
contemporary – art and art theory. Upon completion of the
program, diploma holders are academically qualified to continue their
studies at the graduate level.
Admission requirements:
http://www.mke.hu/kurator/kepelm_felveteli.php
Plan of study: BA in Fine Art Theory
MA in Contemporary Art Theory and Curatorial Studies
The MA Program
in Contemporary Art Theory and Curatorial Studies is a
full-time program of study, which provides the qualification of
Expert in Contemporary Art Theory and
Curatorial Studies. The organizational unit
responsible for conducting the program is the Department
of Art Theory. The study cycle comprises 4 semesters.
Students must earn 120 ECTS credits in order to receive a diploma. 3
state-financed places are offered. The number of tuition fee-paying
places is expected to be 3. The expected tuition fee for the program
is HUF 700,000 per semester.
The aim of the program is to train art professionals who, relying on
their competence in art theory in addition to their communication,
writing and analytical skills, are able to creatively initiate – as
well as work out the concept for, communicate and represent –
complex, culturally and artistically valuable, socially important
projects, research, exhibitions, and events on the Hungarian and
international contemporary art scene. Such professionals are also
capable of responsibly leading projects – with an awareness of
organizational methods, of the institutional, financial and legal
background – as well as managing tenders, technical implementation,
logistics, communication and media relations. During their studies,
students develop the ability to undertake professionally autonomous
and relevant research on contemporary art practices, as well as the
associated critical and theoretical discourse. They learn to analyze
and mediate the practice of contemporary art through the tools of
scientific research and critique, and to work in collaboration with
the system of exhibition and art institutions in Hungary, as well as
with artists, experts and other actors of the art scene. Having
completed the degree requirements, diploma holders are qualified to
continue their studies at the doctoral level (DLA).
Graduates of the MA program must have a firm grasp on the history of
visual arts in the 19th and 20th centuries,
with special regard to the aesthetic, institutional critical, social
historical and ideology historical aspects of modernism, avantgarde,
and late modern techniques. They must have a good understanding of
the periods, tendencies, and fundamental works of Hungarian and
universal art history, as well as art institutions and major
Hungarian and international art collections. Furthermore, they must
be thoroughly familiar with the various materials, techniques, tools,
methods and functions of artistic expression, as well as the current
initiatives, actors and events on the Hungarian and international
contemporary art scene. A familiarity with, and ability to use, the
major European archives and databases is also an essential
requirement.
During practical training, which functions as part of the curriculum,
students participate in organizing Hungarian and international
exhibitions/ events, and in editing publications. They also establish
and maintain ongoing relationships – and work in cooperation –
with young artists at the start of their professional career as well
as art students, both within and outside the university.
Admission requirements:
http://www.mke.hu/kurator/kepelm_felveteli.php
Plan of study: MA in Contemporary Art Theory
and Curatorial Studies
MA in Contemporary Art Theory and Curatorial Studies – English language program – UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND ACCREDITATION PROCESS
The English language MA Program in
Contemporary Art Theory and Curatorial Studies is a
full-time program of study, which provides the qualification of
Expert in Contemporary Art Theory and
Curatorial Studies. The organizational unit
responsible for conducting the program is the Department
of Art Theory. The study cycle comprises 4 semesters.
Students must earn 120 ECTS credits in order to receive a diploma.
Hungarian and international applicants are equally eligible to apply
for admission.
The program is run exclusively in a tuition-based format.
The expected tuition fee for the program is HUF 700,000 per semester.
The program will run with a minimum of 25 applicants who have
successfully completed the entrance examination process.
The aim of the program is to train art professionals who, relying on
their competence in art theory in addition to their communication,
writing and analytical skills, are able to creatively initiate – as
well as work out the concept for, communicate and represent –
complex, culturally and artistically valuable, socially important
projects, research, exhibitions, and events on the international
contemporary art scene. Such professionals are also capable of
responsibly leading projects – with an awareness of organizational
methods, of the institutional, financial and legal background – as
well as managing tenders, technical implementation, logistics,
communication and media relations. During their studies, students
develop the ability to undertake professionally autonomous and
relevant research on contemporary art practices, as well as the
associated critical and theoretical discourse. They learn to analyze
and mediate the practice of contemporary art through the tools of
scientific research and critique, and to work in collaboration with
the system of exhibition and art institutions in Hungary, as well as
with artists, experts and other actors of the art scene. Having
completed the degree requirements, diploma holders are qualified to
continue their studies at the doctoral level (DLA).
Graduates of the MA program must have a firm grasp on the history of
visual arts in the 19th and 20th centuries,
with special regard to the aesthetic, institutional critical, social
historical and ideology historical aspects of modernism, avantgarde,
and late modern techniques. They must have a good understanding of
the periods, tendencies, and fundamental works of Hungarian and
universal art history, as well as art institutions and major
Hungarian and international art collections. Furthermore, they must
be thoroughly familiar with the various materials, techniques, tools,
methods and functions of artistic expression, as well as the current
initiatives, actors and events on the Hungarian and international
contemporary art scene. A familiarity with, and ability to use, the
major European archives and databases is also an essential
requirement.
During practical training, which functions as part of the curriculum,
students participate in organizing Hungarian and international
exhibitions/ events, and in editing publications. They also establish
and maintain ongoing relationships – and work in cooperation –
with young artists at the start of their professional career as well
as art students, both within and outside the university.
Entrance examination procedure for the MA in
Contemporary Art Theory and Curatorial Studies
Entrance examination eligibility
In order to assess – as determined by the law on higher education –
students’ background and preparedness which serve as the basis for
credit acceptance, they must have at least 50 recognizable ECTS
credits from the areas of art history, fine art theory, aesthetics,
art theory, museology, and/or communication, media, and cultural
studies. Students are eligible to begin the entrance examination
process only if they have previously accumulated at least 30 credits
in the aforementioned disciplines. The missing credits can be
acquired, in accordance with the studies and examination regulations
of the university, in parallel with their graduate studies, within
two semesters following completion of the entrance exam.
Hungarian and international applicants are equally eligible to apply
for admission.
The program is run exclusively in a tuition-based format.
The expected tuition fee for the program is HUF 700,000 per semester.
The program will run with a minimum of 25 applicants who have
successfully completed the entrance examination process.
The entrance exam
Stage One: submission of portfolio (in person), which should
contain:
- motivation letter (1page),
- CV (former studies in Hungarian and international higher education, degrees earned prior to applying, publications, projects, foreign languages, experience in technologies and related skills [2 pages maximum], copies of documents and diplomas attesting to the above),
- a brief presentation of diploma works related to the degrees earned prior to applying (abstract, 1 page maximum each, including images),
- a presentation of the most important projects the applicant has participated in, which represent his or her interest in art/culture (1 page maximum each, including images – please refrain from submitting any books, catalogues, DVDs, or any type of multimedia presentation regardless of its format or carrier),
- complex analysis of a current contemporary art project of the applicant’s choice (artwork, exhibition, conference, critique, study, etc. – 2 pages maximum),
- complex plan of a contemporary art project (exhibition concept, related museum communication program, museum communication activity or publications).
Portfolio should be submitted to the Registrar’s Office of the Hungarian University of Fine Arts (Main Building, Andrássy út 69-71) by 3 May 2012 (submission from 8 to 10 am, pickup from 3 pm).
Stage Two (applicant must be present in person):
- applicants fill out a test assessing their familiarity with, and background in, general education and art history, and also complete an exercise on artwork analysis.
- applicants solve creative problem in writing and through visual methods (e.g. drawing, photo, montage).
- applicants complete exercises related to exhibition making, as well as other creative tasks.
During stages two and three of the entrance examination process, applicants are continuously engaged in interview-like professional discussions with the Entrance Examination Committee.
Required literature:
The original English texts of the reader FROM PRACTICE TO DISCOURSE – A CRITICAL READER IN CONTEMPORARY ART THEORY (see below)
Applicants must give an account of their familiarity with the most important exhibitions, tendencies and artists of the past 10 years both in Hungary and on the international contemporary art scene.
Applicants must be familiar with the content of relevant international periodicals from 2011 and 2012.
Applicants must be familiar with the mission, history, structure and programs of institutions that are internationally relevant in the context of contemporary art.
Further information regarding the entrance examination procedure (deadlines, dates, places) is sent to all applicants by post.
From Practice to Discourse – A Critical Reader On Contemporary Art Theory
an on-line, Hungarian language publication published by the
Department
of Art Theory and Curatorial Studies, Hungarian University of Fine Art,
edited by Zoltan Kékesi, Eszter Lázár, Tünde Varga, 2012, link:
http://www.mke.hu/adat/szoveggyujtemeny.pdf
Abt, Jeffrey: „The Origins of the Public Museum”, in: A Companion to
Museum Studies, ed. Sharon Macdonald, Blackwell Publishing, 2006,
115-134.
Baker, Daniel: “Breaking beyond the local; the function of an
exhibition”, Third Text, Picturing Gypsies: an interdisciplinary
approach to Roma representation. Vol. 22, issue 3, No 92, May 2008.
Bal, Mieke: „The Talking Museum”, in: Double exposures: the subject of cultural analysis, New York, Routledge, 1996, 87-133.
Bennett, Tony: “The Exhibitionary Complex”, in: The Birth of the Museum:
History, Theory, Politcs, New York, Routledge, 1995, 59-88.
Buren, Daniel: „The Function of the Museum", in: Artforum, 1973 September, 68-71.
Buren, Daniel: „The Function of an Exhibition", in: Studio International, 1973, December, 216-221.
Buren, Daniel: „The Function of the Studio", in: October: The First Decade 1976-1986, The MIT Press, Cambridge, 1987, 201-207.
Doherty, Claire: „New Institutionalism and the Exhibition as Situation”, in: Protections Reader, Kunsthaus Graz, 2006. 1-10. http://www.situations.org.uk/media/files/New_Institutionalism.pdf
Fischer, Jean: “The Syncretic Turn: Cross-Cultural Practices in The Age
of Multiculturalism”, in: Theory in Contemporary Art Since 1985,
Blackwell, Zoya Kocur – Simon Leung, 2008, 233-242.
Grasskamp, Walter: “For Example, Documenta, or, How Is Art History
Produced?”, in: Thinking about Exhibitions, ed. Reesa Greenberg et al.,
London, Routledge, 1996, 67-78.
Halberstam, Judith: “Technotopias: Representing Transgender Bodies in
Contemporary Art", in: In a Queer Time and Place Transgender Bodies,
Subcultural Lives, New York University Press, 2005, 97-124.
Kester, Grant: “Conversation Pieces: The Role of Dialogue in Socially
Engaged Art”, in: Theory in Contemporary Art Since 1985, Blackwell, Zoya
Kocur – Simon Leung, 2008, 76-88.
Kwon, Miwon: “One Place After Another: Notes on Site Specificity”, in:
Theory in Contemporary Art Since 1985, Blackwell, Zoya Kocur – Simon
Leung, 2008, 32-55.
Nazerali, Sean: “The Roma and Democracy: A Nation without a State", in: Democracy Unrealized: Documenta 11 Platform 1., Hatje Cantz Verlag, 2003, 133-151.
Neil, Paul O’: “The Curatorial Turn: Practice to Discourse”, in: Issues
in Curating Contemporary Art an Performance, eds. J. Rugg and M.
Sedgwick, Intellect Books, Bristol, 2007, 13-28.
Osten, von Marion: “A Question of an Attitude - Changing methods,
Shifting Discources, Producing Public, Organising Exhibitions", in: In the
Place of the Public Sphere? ed. by Simon Sheikh, Berlin, B_Books,
2005, 142-166.
Pollock, Griselda: “Differencing Feminism's encounter with the Canon", in: Differencing the Canon, Routledge 1999, 23-40.
Prior, Nick: “Having One’s Tate and Eating It: Transformations of the
Museum in a Hypermodern Era”, in: Andrew McClellan (ed.), Art and Its
Publics. Studies at the Millennium. London, 2003, 51- 74.
Roberts, John: “Art, Immaterial Labour and the Critique of Value”, in:
The Intangibilities of Form: Skill and Deskilling in: Art After the
Readymade, Verso, 2007, 201-226.
Gregory Sholette: “News from Nowhere: Activist Art and After", in:
Third Text 45 (Winter 1998–99): 45–62, http://www.gregorysholette.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/13_newsfrom1.pdf
Stallabrass, Julian: “Uses and Prices of Art”, in: Art Incorporated, Oxford UP, 2004. 100-150.
Faculty
Zoltán Kékesi PhD
theoretician
Eszter Lázár
curator, art historian
Edina Nagy
curator, art historian
József Mélyi
curator, art historian
curator, art historian,
head of department
Tünde Varga PhD
theoretician
Curriculum
The curriculum has three main modules: techniques of representation, training in exhibition-making and curatorial work, studies in the theory and history of art.
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Art Theory and Art History module on the one hand offers a traditional, systematised system of art history knowledge, and provides comprehensive information on the Hungarian and international contemporary art scenes. On the other hand, this module reviews the interpretational procedures of the main schools of aesthetics, art theory and philosophy of art. Students become familiar with the conceptual repertoire of traditional and contemporary art theory discourse through working with those cultural-historical and cultural history problems, which aided in laying the foundations for the basic concepts of artistic value, aesthetic judgement and genre distinctions, as well as in the development of theories of systematisation and their retrospective historical legitimisation.
Perspectives/Expected Job Market Demand
As the artistic, theoretical and practical studies of the Art Theory Program primarily refer to the Hungarian art scene, graduates can have a key role in the work of contemporary galleries and exhibition spaces while also being equipped to find employment in the sphere of cultural services, in museums, galleries and art archives. Graduates of the program can fill art management positions, they can participate in the work of cultural and art periodicals and in compiling materials on art theory; in preparing critiques, analyses, and documentation and organising, cultural events (exhibition, fine art lecture series). In other words, students with a degree will be able to undertake high quality, creative work (including the design and implementation of individual projects) in a number of areas within the Hungarian and international cultural spheres. The demand for such experts and professionals is also apparent from the feedback of the institutions as well as from the considerable interest in our new program.
Course modules /Curriculum:
Basic mandatory requirements / foundation module
Space and Form
Techniques of Representation
Curatorial Studies I-II.
Aesthetics and Art Theory - Propedeutics I-II.
History of Art and Culture - Propedeutics I-II.
Mandatory courses in general and specialised theory/ specialisation core module
Exhibition Practice I-VI.
Curatorial Studies I-IV.
Aesthetics and Art Theory I-VI.
Art History I-VI.
Optionally selected requirements in general and specialised theory (a few courses from the list)
Art Management
Intellectual Property Law
Specialised Academic Writing / Text Comprehension
Introduction to Contemporary Art
Contemporary Hungarian Art
Theory of Technical Media