This course will examine the past twenty years in painting and sculpture in the United States - the artists, movements, trends and styles du jour viewed from an historical perspective. Current critical perspectives will be analyzed through references to articles in Art in America, Art Forum, and the New York Times, among other sources. Many questions will be asked: Is the art good? Is it great? Is it genius? Is it unremarkable? Will it last? Are there any masterpieces? Who are the critics? Who are the dealers? Who are the theorists? What are the new paradigms? Is this the end of an epoch or the middle or the beginning of an epoch? What is an epoch? What is the future of art? What does art say about contemporary culture? Was Andy Warhol right? Will everyone be famous for fifteen minutes? The class will examine art of the past twenty years along with the question of what constitutes quality in art. You will be asked to use your judgment in evaluating the art that is being done now, using the standards of quality that we discuss in the class, to think critically about contemporary art. The articles in the reader present a variety of perspectives on the current art scene. They do not necessarily present the "correct" view. They do not even share the same view. They are intended as food for thought, to whet your appetite for more. As you read the articles, you will be inspired to read other articles, to consider other points of view.