ARTARCH 3897 Chance and Modern Art 

This course considers chance as a major compositional principle in modern art. Focus will be placed on the diverse ways in which artists throughout the twentieth century have championed the creative possibilities of accident and randomness in the creation of works of art as an attack on reason and logic and as a counterpoint to officially sanctioned aesthetic tastes. By deflating concerns of style, skill, and personal expression, the implementation of chance processes facilitated a liberating exploration of unorthodox methodologies for making art. Moving chronologically through the twentieth century, we will follow the history and development of these practices while also examining the diverse social, cultural, and theoretical contexts informing them.

While some of the resources in this guide are freely available, most research databases and electronic journals and many online library services have access restrictions that require that you be a current Washington University student, faculty member, or staff member. See this page for help.

Jackson Pollock, American, 1912-1956, "Autumn Rhythm (Number 30)," 1950, The Metropolitan Museum of Art George A. Hearn Fund, New York; ARTstor ID MMA_IAP_1039652394 Image © The Metropolitan Museum of Art, "Reproduction of any kind is prohibited without express written permission in advance from The Metropolitan Museum of Art."

This is the library research guide for Professor Meredith Malone's course Chance and Modern Art, Art History and Archaeology 3897.

Please let Kasia Leousis know if you have any questions about the guide, WU Library services, or research in art history.