At present, no Spanish university offers a syllabus with a sufficient training to carry out, afterwards, a research work on the field of Latin American Art, according to Professor Rafael López Guzmán, of the UGR.
According to Professor Guzmán, coordinator of the book “Latin American Art at the Spanish University” published by the University of Granada in collaboration with the Publishing House Atrio, the Spanish Committee for Art History and the Institute of America of Santa Fe, in Spanish universities“ there is not a specialized training line for those interested on these subjects, despite that, in certain cases, some isolated subjects of the different doctorate programs can complete the empty spaces of the degree.”
In relation to the cultural space, there is a curious contradiction at the University of Sevilla –points out the coordinator of this book prepared from a survey carried out at the Spanish universities –, which designates as “Spanish American Art” the vice-royal period and, instead, designates as “Latin American Art, XX century” the period corresponding to the contemporary age, giving raise to the Brazilian cultural space with the construction of Brasilia.
Uncertain results
According to Rafael López Guzmán, the historic opportunity for American Art to appear in the new syllabus of Spanish universities as a priority line for the training of experts “has had uncertain results.” In this sense, the author of the book says: “I think that the presence of optional subjects on American Art in most universities places the criteria excessively in the hands of the teaching staff. It would be very advisable if an institution could bring the teachers of American Art of the different universities together to conceive common criteria, combined programs and work lines”.
However, the Professor of the University of Granada is convinced that the social interest in Spain on American Art is relatively important and he believes in a better knowledge of America and a higher concern for its artistic historical and future displays.
Reference: Prof Rafael López Guzmán. Dpt. of Art History.
University of Granada
Phone number: 958 243626 E-mail: rlopez@platon.ugr.es
