The Politics of Hope

In an era that values the dystopic over the utopic, that praises fascism over reason, where antagonism dominates modes of cultural production, what is the current role of hope and sincerity in contemporary art? Is hope a useful tool for cultural producers given the current political climate across the Americas? This course will combine discussion, assigned readings and an exploration of different practices as they pertain to the use of hope in contemporary art. The class will collectively develop a art project that considers hope.The project may manifest whatever form is best for that project (public art work, lecture, performance, newspaper, etc.) A mock debate will also take place at the end of the course in which students will side with either irony or hope.