In this project, contemporary theater and performance art is examined in four cities in ex-Yugoslavia. War has pervaded all of the sites in some way, interrupting a sense of normalcy, altering the city physically as well as ideologically. For that reason, interaction with urban space becomes a central element in performances—whether it serves to preserve the city’s identity amidst destruction, to cleanse the city from the shame of official exploits, to break from the insular legacy of nationalism that flooded the streets, or to gather the city together in a process of collective healing.

The purpose of this study was to to examine what teachers think about visual art and how the learning process in this subject does look like. To answer these issues, I made interviews with five teachers of visual art from different schools, and I examined several examples of pupils’ artworks. The stories of the teachers were analyzed in relation to governing documents and with assumptions from sociocultural theory, postmodernism and pedagogical - aesthetic research as theoretical point of view. By the qualitative interview method, the observations of the pupil’s artworks, and by the analysis of the interviews with the teachers, I have come to the conclusion that teachers think differently about art but they try to keep themselves in line with the national governing documents. Its affects aspects of disciplines, styles, techniques and medium that is exemplified by the pupil’s art works, and it points out similarities and differences between the pupil’s art works and between the teachers when teaching visual art.

This paper looks at the concepts of the biomorphic and grotesque in art from the start of the 20th century to the present with a focus on painting and drawing. Included in the discussion of the grotesque throughout history are the works of Dadaist Otto Dix, painter Georg Baselitz, and feminist artists Judy Chicago, Hannah Wilke, and Ana Mendieta. Each used grotesque imagery to comment or react to a larger sociopolitical issue. Biomorphic artworks from the 20th century are mentioned as well, with specific examples of work by Lee Krasner, Willem DeKooning, and Hans Bellmer. These artists together start to illustrate the ways biomorphic and grotesque imagery can be used to explore physical gesture, inspire a visceral reaction in the viewer, and make societal critique. These themes are currently being explored by contemporary artists Jenny Saville, Wangechi Mutu, Inka Essenhigh, Cecliy Brown, Elizabeth Murray, and Maria Lassnig, each of whom is discussed in detail. Their work explores the boundary space between the body and hybridity, impurity, or abstraction, each in their own way. Following this discussion the author’s own paintings and drawings are mentioned, including dialogue detailing the thought process behind each one. Photographs of these works are included.

Globalization and the advancement of technology have made the world smaller. Boundaries that define nations and nationalities have blurred and the resulting sense of displacement has undermined assumptions of identity and conversely made the search for identity more urgent. This thesis investigates the dialogue between the contemporary arts and architecture through the lens of the Filipino culture as a way to recapture and bring to the surface the contemporary identity of Filipinos and the Philippines. It proposes an understanding of history, geography and culture as a complex floating archipelago out of which our identity as individuals and nations emerge. It suggests that the events of history and the characteristics of geography are the grounds out of which art, myths and legends continue to be formed and sustain their relevance. Today, these compelling narratives emerge through the works of contemporary artists. They help us view and understand our flaws, struggles, triumphs, and future as a society in a way that speaks of our culture and time. Architecture, as a container and stage for culture must be sensitive to this artistic contemporaneity if it is to be indexical to our time. The Philippines, as a culture of hybrid and regional identities, has long struggled to make sense of the Contemporary in a largely Traditional society. The thesis proposes a new Centre for Contemporary Arts in Manila to bring the diverse artistic activities of the country into focus. It intervenes at interface between the Traditional and the Contemporary, which bridges the gap between the two, thus heralding a Cultural Renaissance and help generate a sense of contemporary nationalism.

This Thesis is concerned with how history is narrated in two selected works by the British artists, Tacita Dean and Jeremy Deller. Chapter one considers Deller's The Battle of Orgreave (2001), a reenactment of a violent miners' strike against Margaret Thatcher's government in 1984-1985. The reenactment brought together reenactment hobbyist and ex-miners to perform the events at Orgreave and created a discourse around the imagined historical role of the working classes. Chapter two examines Dean's book Teignmouth Electron (1999), which recounts the failed voyage of Donald Crowhurst, one of the contestants of the 1967 Golden Globe Race who committed suicide after developing 'time-madness' at sea. She offers the history of this individual as a point of entry into middle-class aspirations in England in the 1960s. Produced at the turn of the 21st century when Britain's New Labour government was instigating an image of a New Britain to match its bygone glory, both works look back to moments in the past that epitomize the decline of the country's old order. Unearthing instances of failure and defeat, each artist offers an alternative glance at Britain's past and present condition than the one promoted by New Labour.

Found and collected natural (organic) and industrial materials are conducive to Vicky Shukuroglou's making of artefacts. They have particular properties of materiality and origin for engagement, interpretation and intervention. Materials are sourced, selected and collected from such diverse environments as urban industries and remote coastal environs. They are chosen for their working properties, personal associations, and qualities such as colour, form, texture, weight, structure and material composition. Her observations of and responses to these diverse environments and their local materials become the influence in the process of making. Objects - such as hair and bone - are investigated and reflected upon as they hold certain qualities that appeal and intrigue, and inspire creative responses. Materials are significantly altered from their original form and utilised for the construction of works, or engaged with as 'objects' for inclusion that remain largely as they were found. They are built onto, extended, reconstructed, enclosed or joined with the constructed elements. Visual energy and ambiguity created from common and opposing qualities is considered and utilised in the interpretation of found forms. In the building of these objects or assemblages, they take on a detailed and intimate identity, whose scale expands beyond the hand held object. The process and activity of making is a vehicle for further observation and learning, generating an understanding and insight into the relationships of place, structure, form, movement, space, and personal methodologies.

This research project investigates factors contributing to what I consider to be an erosion within the contemporary culture of the imagination- crucial to the very concept of what it is to be human. It has been said that the 'civilising' of art within contemporary culture may have flogged the human imagination into retreat. If so what might be the best way for art to help us visualise more creative ways of living and being? This is the key question I have pursued in this research project, the main outcomes of which are a body of creative art works (presented for examination in the form of a site-specific installation, together with documentary archive of photographs and other interventions) and an exegesis which explores the critical context for these. In proposing site-specific installation art as a vital alternative to the over-commodification evident within much contemporary art, I also see repetition and play as being strategies with particular potential for encouraging active artist-participant dialogue on the subject of the poetico-ethical imagination- along lines suggested by thinkers such as Robert Kearney and Ken Wilbur. The artefacts and installations presented for examination are mostly devoid of textual explanation and commentary, with the aim of emphasising direct sensory experience. However, throughout the written component (exegesis) I have taken the creative liberty of including textual fragments and other visual elements as a means of suggesting that a form of disassociation, meandering or breakdown has occurred. The reader will also notice an absence of capitalisation in the titles of chapters (and certain works). In this I have sought to explore possibilities for undermining academic form through imaginative play.

Through an innate desire to present works with an underlying musical philosophy and a mastery of technical phenomena, this folio of compositions and critical commentary is an attempt to present a progressive collection of my original music with an accompanying philosophical and analytical examination. Within the folio, there is experimentation, use of many external and seemingly unrelated sources, and the employment of specific modern techniques when the underlying philosophy demands it. The folio demonstrates a willingness to utilise a wealth of sources, extramusical content, and to experiment and collaborate on project outcomes. Inspiration in part is drawn from composer Geörgy Ligeti, who sees the compositional process as a series of problems that emerge and need to be resolved. Thus, each musical form, though complete in itself, is conceptually in a constant state of flux and renewal. Some more recent concepts within this folio include the creating of a time-space (that is, prolonging the inevitable outcome of a musical idea); exploring apparent spectral and microtonal harmonies; severely constricting musical material; being inspired by extramusical content; producing information-saturated works and using jazz-inspired improvisatory techniques; borrowing from seemingly unrelated sources; and using electronic and recorded music in conjunction with live acoustic musicians. This folio of works and critical commentary presents eight compositions with a detailed analysis of my approach to each work and aesthetic viewpoint. It includes two works for orchestra, Ordynov and Creatures of Ezekiel (for large orchestra), a work for sextet entitled Descent, four chamber works (ein...atmen, generator, Wireless and re.saturate.d), and one work for solo violin and electronics, 101010001012(1012).

Through an innate desire to present works with an underlying musical philosophy and a mastery of technical phenomena, this folio of compositions and critical commentary is an attempt to present a progressive collection of my original music with an accompanying philosophical and analytical examination. Within the folio, there is experimentation, use of many external and seemingly unrelated sources, and the employment of specific modern techniques when the underlying philosophy demands it. The folio demonstrates a willingness to utilise a wealth of sources, extramusical content, and to experiment and collaborate on project outcomes. Inspiration in part is drawn from composer Geörgy Ligeti, who sees the compositional process as a series of problems that emerge and need to be resolved. Thus, each musical form, though complete in itself, is conceptually in a constant state of flux and renewal. Some more recent concepts within this folio include the creating of a time-space (that is, prolonging the inevitable outcome of a musical idea); exploring apparent spectral and microtonal harmonies; severely constricting musical material; being inspired by extramusical content; producing information-saturated works and using jazz-inspired improvisatory techniques; borrowing from seemingly unrelated sources; and using electronic and recorded music in conjunction with live acoustic musicians. This folio of works and critical commentary presents eight compositions with a detailed analysis of my approach to each work and aesthetic viewpoint. It includes two works for orchestra, Ordynov and Creatures of Ezekiel (for large orchestra), a work for sextet entitled Descent, four chamber works (ein...atmen, generator, Wireless and re.saturate.d), and one work for solo violin and electronics, 101010001012(1012).

This thesis explores the rich and provocative fields of interaction between Australian artists and museums from 1975 to 2002. Artists have investigated and engaged with museums of art, social history and natural science during this period. Despite the museum being a major source of exploration for artists, the subject has rarely been examined in the literature. This thesis redresses this gap. It identifies and examines four prevailing approaches of Australian contemporary art to museums in this period: oppositional critique, figurative representation, intervention and collaboration. / The study asserts that a general progression from oppositional critique in the seventies through to collaboration in the late nineties can be charted. It explores the work of three artists who have epitomised these approaches to the museum. Peter Cripps developed an oppositional critique of the museum and was intimately involved with the art museum politics in Melbourne during the mid-seventies. Fiona Hall figuratively represented the museum. Her approach documented and catalogued museum tropes of a bygone era. Narelle Jubelin’s work intervened with Australian museums. Her work has curatorial capacities and has had real effect within Australian museums. These differing artistic approaches to the museum have the effect of contesting history and expanding narrative within museums. / Curators collaborated with artists and used artistic methods to create exhibits in Australian museums during the 1990s. Artistic approaches are a major methodology of museums seeking to contest traditional modes of history and expand narrative in their exhibits. Contemporary art has played a vital, curatorial, role in the Hyde Park Barracks, Museum of Sydney, Melbourne Museum and Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia, amongst other museums. While in earlier years artists were well known for their resistive approach to the art museum, this thesis shows that artists have increasingly participated in new forms of representation within art, social history, and natural history museums. I argue that the role of contemporary art within “new” museums is emblematic of new approaches to history, space, narrative and design within the museum. (For complete abstract open document)