BASC50039 - A Basic Program Exploration of the Visual Arts

Course Description

Art is – thrillingly – always with us, and ever new. In Plato’s Symposium, Socrates and Diotima describe eros as the desire that drives one toward that which draws one: the loving of humans, the begetting of works of art, the founding of cities, the clamoring to understand that is philosophia. The same eros or desire leads us to take in and respond to works of art in every medium – visual arts, dance, opera, literature, sculpture - all. Basic Program studies look at classic texts without the mediation of secondary commentary. In this class we will similarly explore directly a wide selection of the Art Institute of Chicago’s and possibly other sites’ spectacular holdings, engaging them primally, in unmediated intercourse and discussion. The first meeting is at Gleacher Center; the following nine meetings will be on site; each week’s locations are noted in the syllabus. Wear comfortable shoes.

NO REQUIRED TEXTS: The works of art are our texts

PLEASE NOTE SPECIAL TIME: 1:30 - 4:45