English CSAS. Pictures into Words: Writing About Art

Instructor: Sebastian Smee
Wednesday, 9:00-11:45am | Location: TBD
Enrollment: Limited to 12 students

In an attention economy, with phone cameras and AI ubiquitous, are we losing the ability to describe what we see with our own eyes? What meaning can emerge from paying attention to art and converting attention into description?

This course will examine various kinds of ekphrasis – or vivid written responses to works of art – as we work to develop our own, personal forms of ekphrasis in different modes. Readings will include poetry, fiction and criticism.

Additionally, the course will entail visiting actual works of art in Harvard Art Museums. Students will practice their own verbal and written responses, working from (but also questioning) the premise that every act of description can be, in a deeper sense, an act of praise. 

Applicants should be willing to speak and write from their hearts, and to avoid jargon. The aim will be to produce pieces of writing that, while personal, could be published in magazines or books read by the general public rather than pitched to an exclusively academic community. 

Supplemental Application Information: Please write a brief letter of introduction (one page or less), noting any meaningful experiences of visual art or architecture you might have had (not required).

Apply via Submittable (deadline: 11:59pm EDT on Sunday, April 5)