Yesterday Was the Future: Modern Art, Futurisms, and Artificial Intelligence
April 3–June 5, 2025
Mondays and Thursdays from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.
AND April 19 and May 17 (Saturdays) from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m.
In person at Oregon Humanities' office (610 SW Alder Street, Portland)
3 credits (Bard College)
Instructor: Rozzell Medina
This course begins with a focus on Dada and Surrealism, important modern “avant garde” art movements that emerged from the tragedy and injustice of World War I. These movements demanded that people reconsider the very nature of reality, consciousness, power, experience, and the definitions of art and literature. We will also investigate creative influences on Dada and Surrealism, including Cubism, Futurism, and the occult (such as tarot and witchcraft).
We will go on to explore interesting connections between these movements and contemporary Indigenous, Afro and African Futurisms, learning about ways in which human imagination revolutionizes various aspects of art and society, including visions of the past, present, and future.
We will pay close attention to the often overlooked contributions of women relevant to the Dada and Surrealist movements, including Hannah Höch, Leonora Carrington, and Remedios Varo to name a few. We will also learn about the deep importance of women to Afro, African, and Indigenous Futurisms.
In addition to looking at art, reading essays and literature, listening to music, having conversations, and watching films, we will play games and work on projects created and informed by the people who shaped these creative movements.
Finally, we will investigate fascinating connections between the creative movements we are studying to contemporary technologies like AI (artificial intelligence), including relationships to phrases like “algorithm,” “hacking,” and “open source.” We will even collaborate with new technologies to co-create a publication inspired by the movements we are studying.
Registration
Priority Registration Date: March 13, 2025
Final Registration Date: April 3, 2025
Please note that this is not a competitive registration process. While you may enroll up to the start date of the course(s), signing up before the Priority Registration Date increases your chances of reserving a spot in the course.
Space is limited for each course, so we ask that you please let us know if you decide to drop the course so that we can open that space for another student. If we are unable to reach you via that contact information you provide, we will cancel your registration.
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