The Divine Spark: The Study of Genius in Music and Art

The act of artistic creation is one of the profound mysteries of human existence. While thousands of artists and composers have endeavored over the centuries to make works of lasting value, only a select few have had the “divine spark”—the flash of brilliance, often viewed as coming from an omnipotent force, that resulted in a masterpiece that transcended its time and place. Precisely how these artists and composers have attained this goal is the topic of this honors seminar.  The course will also look closely at how the terms “genius” and “masterpiece” have been defined by historians, critics, and the artists themselves. 
 
The seminar will explore the creative process in art and music by looking at the work and working methods of a select number of extraordinary artists and composers. In some cases, these figures labored alone, in isolation, relying solely on their own intuition and experiences. In other instances, they worked with a collaborator whose talents complemented their own and served as a creative catalyst. In still other cases, they worked as with a productive team to assemble a large composite work.  We will also consider how the cultural contexts for determining the quality and meaning of these works have shifted over time, opening the canon to new content and new participants.
 
Artists selected for detailed study will include Giotto, Michelangelo, Picasso, and Kara Walker; composers selected for detailed study will include Josquin, Bach, Stravinsky, and Madonna. Figures in other fields (politics, science, etc.) and other cultures (Asian, Latin American, etc.) will be drawn into the picture by the students, whose research papers and individual class presentations will focus on additional individuals whose accomplishments qualify them as geniuses, whether for good or for evil.