Art Courses: Three Essential Artists Who Looked Beyond

Join the course “Eduardo Chillida, Hilma af Klint and Tarsila do Amaral: Three Essential Artists Who Looked Beyond”.

In this course you will learn about these three artists whose work reveals that they were visionaries and champions of freedom in art: Eduardo Chillida (b. Basque Country, Spain) is a towering figure in 20th-century sculpture; Hilma af Klint (b. Sweden) is hailed by some as the true pioneer of abstraction; Tarsila do Amaral (b. Brazil) was ahead of her time on such issues as colonialism, cultural heritage, and indigenous peoples.

Conducted by: Arantxa Pereda Angulo, art historian and cultural manager and mediator

Target audience: people 18+interested in contemporary art
Type of course: on-site (online option also available)
Structure: 12 units (9 lessons, 3 guided tours)
Language: Spanish
Materials needed: Bibliography, class notes, glossary, etc.
Certification: participants who attend at least 80% of the units will get a certificate

What will you learn in this course?

• Some of the keys to the work of three essential artists in their historical, social, political, and cultural context; influences and contributions.
• An overview of modern and contemporary art in the Western world, along with a few key concepts to develop your own criteria, think critically, use adequate technical vocabulary, and gain confidence when discussing art-related issues.
• The place of women in the history of art, and details of the work of two female artists.
• How to enjoy modern and contemporary art, especially the exhibitions and artistic holdings of the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, in an easy and slow learning process shared with people with similar interests.

CONTENTS

Eduardo Chillida

November 5: Chillida-Leku: A Dream Come True
Developed as a work of art in its own right, this open-air museum is quite unique, placing art against the background of nature. In this unit, you will learn about the origin and development of this museum.

November 12: Chillida: Oeuvre, Nature, Space
Chillida created in, for, and at the service of the natural environment and the viewers who enjoy his work. In this unit, you will also understand the importance of sound and music in Chillida’s production.

November 19: The Importance of Drawing
Chillida’s oeuvre was guided by line and drawing, which contributed to the development of a unique formal style, recognizable across arts and mediums (drawing, printmaking, metalwork, etc.).

November 26: Tour of Eduardo Chillida’s works in the Museum Collection

Hilma af Klint

December 3: Art and Spirituality in the Late 19th Century
The late 19th century witnessed the growth of mysticism, occultism, and spiritualism across Europe. In art, this led to the emergence of abstraction. Since then, art and spirituality have remained connected, and the connection has been expressed in multiple disciplines.

December 10: Who Is Who in Abstract Art
In this unit, you will explore the history of abstraction: characteristics, main figures, sources of influence, and types of abstract art from the early years to the present.

December 17: Hilma af Klint’s Life and Work
Along with other female artists, Swedish painter Hilma af Klint is now considered to be one of the pioneers of abstract art—a late recognition that led to the rewriting of the history of abstraction in painting.

January 21: Tour of Hilma af Klint’s exhibition

Tarsila do Amaral

January 28: Modern Art and Modernism in Latin America
Contemporary Latin American art is the result of hybridization and cultural convergence. Its roots can be traced back to modern art and the movement known as modernism, emerging in the late 19th/early 20th century.

February 4: São Paulo Art Biennial and Brasilia
Founded in 1951, the São Paulo Art Biennial has become one of the world’s leading contemporary art exhibitions. In the 1960s, Brasilia emerged as one of the icons of modern architecture, featuring several buildings designed by Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer.

February 11: Tarsila do Amaral’s Life and Work
Beginning in the 1920s, Tarsila do Amaral’s original oeuvre combines modernist and indigenous images. Against the vibrant background of the avant-garde in both São Paulo and Paris, Tarsila played a key role in the cultural exchange between Europe and Latin America.

February 25: Tour of Tarsila do Amaral’s exhibition