New Student Project Online

Czech it out? Methodological Perspectives on Art in Czechoslovakia (1968–1989)

We are pleased to share a new student project developed in the course “Czech it out? Methodische Perspektiven auf die Kunst der Tschechoslowakei 1968–1989,” taught by Anna-Marie Kroupová in the winter semester 2025/26 at the Institute of Art History, University of Vienna.

Over the course of the semester, students examined figurative artworks (painting, sculpture, photography) produced during the period of “Normalization” (1968–1989), considering both official and unofficial art scenes. Each participant selected a specific artwork or series and approached it through different methodological lenses – from feminist and gender-oriented perspectives to political-historical, eco-critical, environmental art historical, and postcolonial approaches – in dialogue with formal analysis (iconography, iconology, stylistic methods).

The course culminated in a collaboratively developed Padlet website, where the students’ concise analytical texts are now publicly accessible. The platform reflects the seminar’s strong methodological focus: students were encouraged not only to apply art-historical methods, but to compare, question, and critically reflect on them – particularly with regard to the transferability of Western analytical frameworks to Central European contexts.

The result is a dynamic collection of focused case studies that demonstrates the range of questions that can be asked of artworks – and the many ways in which they can be answered.

🔗 The website is now online and can be accessed here:
https://padlet.com/annamariekroupova/czech_it_out_WS2526

We warmly invite you to take a look at the students’ thoughtful and carefully researched contributions.