Printing Protest: The Artist as Social Critic

This seminar explores the history of print and protest. From books to newspapers to posters, printed materials have generated and circulated political and social messages for centuries. The seminar takes a transhistorical and transnational approach to the history of print to consider its role in shaping public consciousness and producing social change from the fifteenth century to today. Attending to both medium and message, this course will address printing techniques and examine the graphic works of artists such as Francisco Goya, Käthe Kollwitz, Ester Hernandez, and Ebony Patterson in various collections on Stanford's campus. Seminar participants will also contribute to a course-related exhibition at the Cantor Arts Center where they will assist in various aspects of exhibition organization, such as selecting artworks and writing wall labels. This is a unique opportunity to combine the classroom study of art history with hands-on curatorial experience.