Media production studies and performing arts

The course is divided into two parts. The first part focuses on theoretical reflection on photography, from analog to digital, up to synthetic images produced by artificial intelligence. Authors such as R. Barthes, W. Benjamin, R. Krauss, S. Sontag, J. Berger, A. Azoulay, W.J.T. Mitchell, G. Didi-Huberman, and others will be discussed. The second part examines the history of avant-garde photography between the two World Wars. A section of the course is devoted to student presentations on topics related to the syllabus. Students will upload their PowerPoint/PDF presentations and a written paper (approximately 5 pages plus bibliography) to Classroom. The content of these presentations will be part of the exam program for attending students. Guided visits to current photography exhibitions are also planned.

Ability to engage in critical reflection on images; general knowledge of 20th-century art history.

The selection of readings will be indicated at the beginning of the course.

Attendance, while not mandatory, is strongly recommended. Additional recommended readings will be suggested for non-attending students.

Attending students: oral exam (75%); project (25%). Non-attending students: oral exam (100%).. The project, focused on the study of themes and critical issues related to the course, will be presented in class at the end of the course and must be submitted via Classroom (in PowerPoint and Word format, max. 10.000 characters).

Lectures, guided visits, and in-class presentations of student research papers.