Words in Painting

Words in painting introduce sound into what is usually a silent experience; they force the viewer to both look and read. Writing is a form of drawing. Words can be poetry, advertising, or labeling. Words can be admired abstractly for their form. For much of history, words and pictures have been used to tell important stories, deliver political content, or sell consumer goods. This course will examine the use of words in contemporary painting through readings, slides, and discussion. A series of painting assignments will address the artistic problems of using words.