From its inception, modern art attracted outrage, rejection and ridicule from some audiences and amazed approval and critical engagement from others. Many artworks now viewed with profound respect were greeted initially with disbelief and affront. Modern art rarely met with polite boredom. The taint of scandal offers a key to the value and interpretation of modern art. This course explores modern art through some of the controversies and reactions of audiences and power-brokers. It considers derisory response to Cubism, Hitler's hostile closure of the famous Bauhaus and his exhibition of 'degenerate art' (and the long queues of people who took the opportunity to see the work of the modern 'masters'), the post-revolution repression of Russian avant-garde artists. Closer to home, some Australian frauds and scandals provide the basis for discussion on Australian attitudes to art, and artists' attitudes to Australia.

Note/s: Lecture/tutorial/seminar.