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Arts in Paris

Courses

I. Art History

Art history courses meet both in the classroom and at various sites in and around the city (museums, art galleries, historic sites, monuments, etc.) each week, and carry three credit hours.

ARTH 218 Introduction to the Louvre

The aim of the course is to show how to look at art as opposed to reproductions in a museum environment. Using the Louvre as a classroom, students study the collection in a chronological order and examine techniques of presentation. They reflect on the reasons why some works turn into myths (Mona Lisa among others), and examine the social and cultural backdrop of the works studied.

ARTH 285 French Cinema

The primary objective of this course will be to study the historical relationship between French cinema and French culture from the silent era to the present day. We will concentrate on the major cinematic movements that left their mark on the history of the septième art, including surrealism, poetic realism, new wave directors, as well as the development of minoritarian cinema after 1980. Special attention will be given to the development of a national style as well as to the history of French film criticism. Readings will be drawn from the Cahiers du cinéma as well as the writings of individual directors. Films will be studied in connection with the major social, cultural, and political events of the twentieth century, including the Popular Front, WWII, the Marshall Plan, the Algerian War, and the American intervention in Vietnam.

ARTH 319 History of Impressionism and Post-Impressionism

A survey of the art and architecture of late nineteenth century France, including painting, sculpture, drawings and caricatures from Courbet to the Post-Impressionists. Topics studied include: the relation of art to transformations in urban space; art and leisure (parks and gardens, café-théâtres); politics and social change; city and country; exhibitions, museums, the Academy, patronage; the social place of the artist, gender, modernism and the avant-garde; art and photography. Weekly visits to the Orsay museum, the Louvre, the Marmottan, and other such collections. Trips outside Paris will include the Monet gardens at Giverny and the Barbizon school at Fontainebleau.

ARTH 320 History of Photography

This course surveys the major artistic, social and technological trends in photography from its beginnings to the present day. It provides an overview of important photographers and their works while examining the context in which these works were produced and received. It also considers the broader applications of the photograph in everyday society and how the medium has remained a principal source of visual communication for nearly two centuries. Class lectures and readings will be supplemented by visits to museums and galleries to offer first-hand exposure to the images studied.

ARTH 324 Contemporary Art in France

Students explore the contemporary art scene in Paris by focusing on two areas: the work of the artists and the art venues for a better understanding of the trade. The course consists of a solid presentation of a wide range of works by individual artists situated in the context of the major trends of the century, and an overview of the distribution system of the visual arts in France: galleries, museums, art schools, exhibit halls. Students are encouraged to present their portfolio to a few galleries to get a first hand experience of the complex and often frustrating distribution process.

ARTH 328 French Fashion: Past and Present

Tracing the history of photography from the mid-nineteenth century to the present, the course attempts to explain how the various discourses of art history, aesthetics, art institutions, and museums have served to construct the specific domain of fine arts photography. Each class will focus on a specific photographer, genre, theme or problem; working through the image to understand the multiple ways and contexts in which photographs are produced and perceived. The class will visit various museums and galleries in and around Paris, as well as the studios of professional photographers working in Paris.

ARTH 385 History of Modernism

This course provides an in-depth study and pictorial survey of modern art, its origins and its legacy presented from the following perspectives: A general overview of the evolution of painting, with a focus on key elements in modern painting; a study of the aesthetic evolution of modern art through the works of the avant-garde and a study of actual art in Paris. Students will study works from the following artists: Matisse, Braque, Picasso, Kandinsky, Duchamp, Breton, Klein, Dubuffet, Viallat, etc. The course is made up of lectures illustrated by slides and group discussion. Visits will be made to local museums such as the Musée d'Orsay, Musée Picasso, Musée d’art moderne, Palais de Tokyo, Galleries, etc. to view the art studied in the classroom.

ARTH 314 Medieval Art and Architecture (Offered occasionally - Please inquire)

A historical review of art and architecture in France between the end of the 10th century and the 13th century. Topics may include: the principal examples of manuscript illustrations, painting, sculpture of the period; the role of the church, patronage and the place of the artist; abbeys and churches, the pilgrimages, exterior and interior church decoration; philosophies and theories of medieval style, techniques and design, and iconography. Weekly visits to the Louvre and the Cluny museum, and to churches and abbeys studied.

ARTH 317: Baroque, Classicism, and Rococo in France (Offered occasionally - Please inquire)

A survey of the art and architecture in 17th and 18th century France, including the most prominent painters and architects. Topics of study and discussion: the social, political, and religious history of the period; painters and patrons; images and portraits of power; the relation of the baroque to classicism and modernism; concepts and problems of the period as style, iconography and philosophy. Numerous visits to the Louvre and other museums and sites; extended project on the Palace of Versailles as conjuncture of art, architecture, history and religion.

ARTH 326 French Gardens in and around Paris (Offered occasionally - Please inquire)

This course aims at tracing the development of the art and architecture of French gardens from medieval times to the present. Students discover the ideology central to French gardens styles, as well as the social and political histories behind major French garden designs. Visits to the parks of Saint Germain en Laye, Vaux le Vicomte, Versailles, Luxembourg, Monceau, Auteuil, Tuileries, Buttes-Chaumont, Giverny, Villette, and Albert Kahn gardens.

II. Studio Art

Studio art courses meet three to four hours once a week, and require at least as much time for unsupervised work. Most studio art courses carry three credit hours. A materials fee is assessed for most studio art courses.

ART 242 Bookbinding

Book structures for artists: Learn different types of structures: one section pamphlet, accordion photo album, Japanese side sewn, multi-section case binding, portfolio according to each personal project. This course is designed for the artist who is looking for new ways to present or bind their prints, photos, drawings, etc. Learn structures for binding existing single pages of art that cannot be folded and bound in the traditional manner, as well as structures to compensate for varying thicknesses of pages and various pages sizes. Students leave with several finished books, plus the skills necessary to continue binding at home: cutting, folding, sewing, and gluing. Learn about hand tools and materials used in bookbinding, as well as how to use the standing press and board shear. Artwork to be bound/projects in progress are welcome.

ART 251/351 Ceramics I & II

Art students who are looking for a deeper understanding of the potter’s art are well served by these courses. Thanks to hands-on instruction, students acquire or further master the various techniques needed to deal effectively with clay, glazing, and the kiln. They learn or review the characteristics of the various types of clay (terra cotta, stoneware, porcelain, raku clay) and glazing and firing techniques (including raku).

ART 252//352 Sculpture I & II

These courses focus on creating volume, working the medium, and mastering the basis of sculpture, the interplay of shadow and light. Students will work on relief and shapes through themes such as the anatomy of live models, portraits, bas-relief, still-life, the sculpture of animals, stylized objects, and non-representative creations.

ART 263/363 Trompe-l'oeil

Art students are encouraged to enroll in Trompe-l’oeil, since this type of course is not often taught in American universities, in spite of its place in Decorative Arts.

ART 263 Trompe-l’oeil I is an introduction to the traditional painting techniques as applied to the so called Trompe-l’oeil, an imitation of various materials: wood, marbles, patina, fake moldings, ornaments, draperies, etc. This course is designed for students with little training in the fine arts as well as those well versed in the field of color and composition.

ART 363 Trompe-l’oeil II assumes a good mastery of the techniques learned in ART 263. Students work on more complex decorative panels, and develop their sense of composition. They are also expected to carry out a personal project, which will demonstrate a good understanding of trompe-l’oeil use in Decorative Art.

ART 271/371 Photography I & II

Bring your own camera for this course where students review the basic techniques in picture-taking, film-developing, negative-printing and mounting. Strong emphasis is placed on camera skills and image content, darkroom techniques and basic processes, for personal expression both in the studio and outdoors. A semi-automatic camera (with manual control of shutter speed and exposure) is required.

Offered at two levels: beginner/intermediate and intermediate/advanced.

ART 293/393 Engraving I & II

The aim of this course is to introduce students to the various techniques of engraving and to develop their sensitivity for this artistic expression in three important steps: preparing the metal plates, engraving, and printing.

ART 320 Fashion Design Illustration

This course is an introduction to illustration for the different needs of the fashion industry. Tuition is offered in drawing the basic fashion figure and experimenting with different materials and techniques. A variety of work is produced from the presentation of ideas in a mood book to finished mounted pieces.

ART 360 Painting in the Louvre [must be taken concurrently with ART 361]

ART 361 Raw Materials and Techniques in Painting

An introduction to the major techniques in painting, based on the "touch and try method" developed by Nicolas Wacker, artist and restorer, for the Ecole des Beaux Arts. Special attention will be given to the use of natural pigments and binders on various supports (wood, cardboard, canvas, etc.). Students will experiment with pure pigments, wax medium, water-based glue, oil and acrylic. As an additional application of the techniques studied, students may work on a copy of a masterpiece in the Louvre, both in the studio and in supervised copy sessions at the Louvre.

ART 362 Drawing the Figure

This course is designed to lead each individual student through the basics of life drawing. We will be working from the nude model in fixed poses and in movement. The models will be constantly changed to allow the student to discover new solutions to transmit visual information. Students will work at their own level and be encouraged in their own expression. Work will be reviewed and critiqued openly in each class.

ART 291 Tapestry (Offered occasionally - Please inquire)

The objective of the course is to familiarize students with the traditional weaving techniques used in France since the 14th century, as well as to develop their artistic creativity. This is achieved by encouraging them to go beyond the mere reproduction of well-known works and by addressing the question of art versus craft.

ART 292 Watercolor (Offered occasionally - Please inquire)

ART 365 Painting Portraits (Offered occasionally - Please inquire)

Students will discover why this ancient tradition is re-appearing in our age of high-tech imagery. They will improve their drawing and painting skills while learning to paint the head in a complete composition, using gouache. Much emphasis is placed on proportion, perspective, volume and movement, composition in light and dark, transition in foreground and background of the figure in space.

III. Performing Arts

Dance

Students interested in taking dance courses can choose from a broad selection of courses designed for beginners as well as for experienced dancers. The dance instructors are among the very best to be found in Paris. Courses are taught according to the main methods developed this century in classical, jazz, and modern dance. Students are introduced to many innovative trends and strongly encouraged to explore all forms of dance from classical to Hip Hop and street jazz to traditional dances of the world.

Course selection includes:

100 level = Introduction (Intro)

200 level = Intermediate (I)

300 level = Advanced (II)

DA 246: Modern Ballet I

DA 346: Modern Ballet II

DA 256: Classical Ballet I

DA 356: Classical Ballet II

DA 456: Classical Ballet III

Modern - Contemporary

DA 258: Modern Dance I

DA 358: Modern Dance II

Jazz

DA 257: Modern Jazz I

DA 357: Modern Jazz II

Funk Jazz

DA 267: Funk Jazz I

DA 367: Funk Jazz II

Hip Hop – Street Dance

DA 159: Intro. to Hip Hop

DA 259: Hip Hop I

DA 359: Hip Hop II

Dances of the World

DA 131: Intro. to African Dance

DA 231: African Dance I

DA 132: Intro to Oriental Dance

DA 232: Oriental Dance I

DA 133: Intro to Flamenco

DA 233/333: Spanish Dances I & II

DA 134: Intro to Tango

DA 135: Intro to Salsa

Music

Please inquire to the Program Director about our music offerings at the Bill Evans Piano Academy. Courses are offered at two levels: Level I (200 / Intermediate) for students who already have basic musical training and Level II (300 / Advanced) for students with a solid background in musical training. Please note that you must be at the advanced level in French in order to take these courses.

Courses include:

Piano

Voice

Harmony

Instrument Labs

Ear Training

Sight-reading

Sight-singing

Solfege

History of Jazz

Theater - Acting

ARTP 228: Acting for the Theater

ARTP 258: Acting for the Camera

ARTP 358: Film Acting

ARTP 359: Screenwriting

ARTP 397: Master Class

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Photos courtesy of Kali Vermès