A wide shot of a ceramics studio, featuring students working with pottery wheels and other tools.
Portrait of a person standing outdoors

On This Page

Donato Loia

Visiting Assistant Professor

Contact

Bio

Education: BA, MA, magna cum laude, 2012, University of Rome “La Sapienza;” PhD, 2023, The University of Texas at Austin; Selected Awards: 2023-2026 Hong Kong Research Grants Council, Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme (decl.); 2022-23 Andrew W. Mellon Fellowship in Modern and Contemporary Art, Blanton Museum of Art; 2021 Humanities Texas, State affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, Major Grants Program; 2019-20 Vivian L. Smith Foundation Fellowship, The Menil Collection; 2019 DAAD, German Academic Exchange Service, Short-Term Research Grant. Selected Curatorial Work: The Remaining Time: Ania Safko and Helen Jones, Shed-Shows, Austin, Texas, May 5 - Jun 2, 2023; Bill Morrison: Cycles & Loops, Visual Arts Center, Austin, Texas, Jan 28 - Mar 12, 2022, traveling to Colby College Museum of Art, Aug 18 - Dec 31, 2023.

Book Chapters and Recent Articles: “Theaster Gates and the Good Use of Forgotten Things,” Religion and Contemporary Art: A Curious Accord, ed. by Ronald Bernier and Rachel Smith. Routledge, 2023; “The Empire Cannot Die: Propaganda and Immortality in ‘Top Gun: Maverick’,” New Blackfriars 103, 1108 (2022); “Metaphysics after the Critique of Metaphysics: A Review Essay on Works by Giorgio Agamben, Niklaus Largier, and Thomas Pfau,” Religion and the Arts 27, 1-2 (2023). For a full list, please visit ​​this page.

My research lies at the intersection between art history, philosophy, religious studies, new media, and film studies. Two priorities are the foundation of my current research agenda. First, starting a book project, tentatively titled "Arts of Remediation," on artists that repurpose and reframe archival films, found footage, and images through works that lie in between video art, installation, and filmmaking. Second, tailoring my dissertation, “Beyond the Light: Theaster Gates, Gerhard Richter, Danh Vo, and the Religious Imaginary in Modern and Contemporary Art,” into a book project tentatively titled "The Diaspora of the Sacred." Active participation is central to my pedagogy, and I understand that a professor’s work requires supporting and encouraging students’ intellectual curiosities. My pedagogy emphasizes the intellectual and overall development of my students. In my research, my teaching, and in my life, I strive to bring people together, and my students and colleagues benefit from my collaborative and engaging philosophy. 

Courses

Title Department Catalog Term

Description

This is an advanced course that surveys developments in nineteenth and twentieth century art and architecture. It is intended for BAAH students and Scholars Program students. Particular emphasis is placed on theoretical and critical issues, as well as the historical, intellectual, and socioeconomic changes that are reflected or addressed in the works of artists and architects. ARTHI 1201: Discussion Section for Advanced Survey of Modern to Contemporary Art & Architecture is required.

Class Number

1031

Credits

3

Description

Throughout human history, a pervasive belief in spirits, gods, and divine forces has profoundly influenced cultures, leaving an indelible mark on their customs and artistic expressions. This course adopts a broad approach, anchored in the selection of artifacts and artworks from the AIC collection. These pieces will serve as portals into a spectrum of theistic and nontheistic spiritual traditions. We will place particular emphasis on sections of the AIC dedicated to the Arts of Africa, Arts of the Americas, and Arts of Asia. Additionally, we will delve into the evolving concept of spirituality in art from the 20th century onwards, with particular attention given to the early 20th century (1900-1950). The culminating project for this course entails the creation of a 10-15 page research paper. Throughout the semester, students will also engage in concise object-based written exercises and participate in museum group presentations.

Class Number

2473

Credits

3

Description

This classes introduces topics, themes, methods and theories of modern and contemporary art from the late 19th century to the present. The class is geared at incoming MFA students to engage in issues relevant to art historical methods to supplement their artistic practice. Individual instructors will adapt the content based on their individual areas of expertise. Content will vary depending on instructors but include key texts in Modern and Contemporary art history. The course will include reading by relevant scholars in the field of Modern and Contemporary Art. Students will turn in weekly responses, take quizzes and tests and possibly write a research paper at the end of the semester

Class Number

1116

Credits

3

Description

In this seminar, the genesis of the discipline of art history, its founding and continuing assumptions are examined through close readings of key texts in the discipline up until the period of high formalism in the 1950s. Readings are chosen from among the following thinkers: Kugler, Schnaase, Morelli, Riegl, Wolfflin, Focillon, Panofsky, and Warburg. Student reports focus on others. Discussions introduce issues regarding the rise of art history in universities, professional organizations, and conferences, and the relation between museum and academia. Formalism, contextualism, universal history, and the relation between nationalism and art are explored.

Class Number

1118

Credits

3

Description

In this seminar, the genesis of the discipline of art history, its founding and continuing assumptions are examined through close readings of key texts in the discipline up until the period of high formalism in the 1950s. Readings are chosen from among the following thinkers: Kugler, Schnaase, Morelli, Riegl, Wolfflin, Focillon, Panofsky, and Warburg. Student reports focus on others. Discussions introduce issues regarding the rise of art history in universities, professional organizations, and conferences, and the relation between museum and academia. Formalism, contextualism, universal history, and the relation between nationalism and art are explored.

Class Number

1195

Credits

3

Description

Quite often, the monographic study has not been afforded to Black artists. In this course, we will do a semester-long 'deep dive' on a single Black American contemporary artist. The choice of artist will change semester to semester. We will read existing studies on a single artist with specific attention to books, articles, and associative literature that helps us unpack the artist's approach to their aesthetic practice. Students will complete weekly assignments to demonstrate reading comprehension and analysis. Students will also do weekly presentations to guide class discussions. As a final project, students will complete a 15-20 page research paper on one artwork by the artist of concern for the semester.

Class Number

2276

Credits

3