8/14/2019 Syllabus: ART255-01

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Course Description

This course will focus on individual creative developmentusing both traditional and nontraditional three-dimensional

materials. We will cover a wide range of techniques andmaterials, including wood construction, metal fabrication,mold making and casting. Because so many differentmaterials will be explored, your instructor is guaranteed notto have all the answers! The answer to a question youencounter may be found in a classmate, in the library, onthe Internet, or through trial and error. As a result, a largepart of this class will focus on conducting individualresearch, presenting your research to the class, andparticipating in group discussions. In addition to the physicalexploration of contemporary sculptural practices, we willalso discuss their relationship to art history and theory,philosophy, politics, and current events.

While acquiring fundamental skills in many different media,

you will be given the freedom within some assignments todecide which material, process or presentation method toemploy. Many decisions must be made throughout thecreative process, and it is best to make them withawareness and intention. This course will emphasize thecareful consideration of material choice, craft, form, space,site, presentation, and context in regards to conceptualreasoning. For instance, why would you choose to cast anobject in wax instead of concrete? What do specificmaterials or forms communicate because of their innatecharacteristics or associations? How does yourrelationship to an object change when it is placed on apedestal vs. sat on the floor?

This class will also focus on working towards establishingsafe studio and shop practices. In addition to ourclassroom, you will also be given access to the wood shop,metal fabrication shop, and paper studio. You are expectedto respect yourself, your peers, and the tools and facilities.These facilities are shared, and it is extremely important toabide by the rules of operation and follow mandated clean-up procedures.

Required Materials

The following list of materials must be purchased as soonas possible and brought to every class or kept in yourlocker. Additional materials will need to be purchasedthroughout the semester based upon the needs of yourindividual projects. Remember that financial limitations can

often inspire creative solutions, so they will not beconsidered valid excuses for mediocre work.

sketchbookx-acto knife or box cutter and bladessafety glasseswork glovesclamp light and 65W soft white flood light bulbmeasuring tape (12 ft.)jump drive or external hard drive

Please also bring the following items to class on a regularbasis if you happen to own one:laptop, digital camera

Attendance

Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each classperiod. Success in a studio art class is dependent upon

your participation in the studio activities and interactionwith other students. This cannot occur if you are not inclass. Therefore, this attendance policy will be strictlyenforced.

You are allowed two unexcused absences. The thirdunexcused absence will result in the lowering of a full lettergrade at the end of the semester. Four absences will resultin the lowering of two full letter grades. Five unexcusedabsences will result in the failure of the course.

If you are absent, it is your responsibility to find out what youhave missed and what you need to prepare for the nextclass. In addition to contacting the instructor, you shouldalso contact one of your classmates to find out about any

assignments not indicated on the course outline.

Critiques

As extended projects are completed, we will discuss all thework as a group. Despite the title, critique sessions are notintended to be forums for demeaning criticism. Neither arethey meant to focus on what one likes or dislikes. They areto assist you in your creative development by providingfocused opportunities for you to verbalize your reasoningand intentions, and for fellow classmates and instructors toshare their individual perspectives and knowledge. Critiquesin a studio class take the place of exams and quizzes in alecture course. Attendance is critical and required. Not onlyare no make ups allowed, they are not possible.

Project Documentation

Documentation is a very important aspect of art makingand will be a crucial component to this class. Most often, aviewer will not be able to travel to see an artists work inperson, but will instead see an image of it in a book or onthe Internet. Because of this, it is important for work to bewell documented in order for it to exist beyond the limits ofa specific place and time.

You will be required to photograph each of your projectsand post 1-3 digital images on the class blog. Thisdocumentation will be viewed during your individual critiquesat midterms and finals, and will affect your final grade. If youdo not own or have access to a digital camera, or havetrouble editing or uploading your images, it is yourresponsibility to ask for assistance.

Presentations

Each student will be assigned a specific material, process,or sculptural genre to research that relates to topics andtechniques explored in this class. In order to share yourresearch with your peers, you will be required to give a10-minute slide presentation. You will also be required to writea one-page paper that summarizes your research.

Introduction to Sculpture ART255-01 M+T 1:20-4:10 Binns Merrill SB01

Instructor: Alicia Eggert, eggert@alfred.eduTA: Jonas Lindberg, JDL8@alfred.edu

Class Blog:introtosculpture2010.blogspot.com

8/14/2019 Syllabus: ART255-01

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Sketchbooks

You will be expected to conduct your own research duringthe planning phase of each assignment. Your research and

process should be documented in the form of a personalsketchbook, which can include notes and journal entries,sketches, and images you find inspirational or of your workin process. Your sketchbook will be reviewed by theinstructors throughout the semester in order for us tobetter understand your creative intentions, and thus willplay an important role in the evaluation and grading of yourprojects.

Field Trips

During the semester, this class will go on several shortoutings to explore industries in the local area. We will visitmanufacturers of lumber, wax and steel in order to learnabout where these materials come from and how they are

made. These mini field trips will be conducted during classtime. Please let your instructor know if you have a car andare willing to drive.

This class will also pay for an overnight field trip toPittsburgh, PA, where we will visit institutions such as theAndy Warhol Museum, the Mattress Factory, and CarnegieMellon University. Transportation, accommodations, andadmissions fees will be provided. Please reserve thefollowing date in your calendar, and let your instructor knowif you will not be able to attend:12PM Friday, March 19th 11PM Saturday, March 20th

Lectures & Workshops

As an extension of the class, you will be asked to attendseveral of the School of Art and Design lectures andactivities. We will use these important presentations aspoints of discussion in class.

In addition, you will also be required to participate in thefollowing workshops. Please make note of the followingdates in your calendar, and let your instructor know if youwill not be able to attend:

Wood Shop Safety Training with Eric Ewald8AM Sunday, January 24th

(meet at the wood shop and bring your safety glasses)

Photo Documentation Workshop with Mike Fleming

1PM Saturday, February 6th

(meet in the classroom and bring your digital camera andclamp light)

Public Exhibition

As a class, we will be applying to participate in a publicoutdoor exhibition in a vacant lot on the Main Street inWellsville. This exhibition will provide you with an opportunityto share your individual work with the greater community,as well as curate and install the show with your classmates.Show dates, theme and details are to be determined.

Required Readings

There is no required text for the class. Instead, you will beassigned readings from various sources related to the

topics covered within the assignments. Interestingconversations result when everyone reads critically, comesto class prepared, and openly joins the dialogue. An excellentdiscussion is one where the group questions assumptionsand works on developing a higher level of understanding ofthe material at hand.

Grading and Evaluation

Grades will be based on completed projects, classparticipation and enthusiasm, project documentation, andinvolvement in class critiques. Lack of respect for studiorules and cleanliness will adversely affect your grade.

Individual projects will be graded based on the followingcriteria. The specific value placed on craftsmanship, conceptand presentation will vary with each assignment.

Time/Dedication/Research 20%Craftsmanship 10-30%Concept 10-30%Presentation 10-20%Documentation 10%Participation in Critique 10%Total 100%

ADA Information(Americans with Disabilities Act)

If you are a student with a documented disability and youneed accommodations, please make an appointment withthe Director of Student Affairs.

where the idea becomes a machine that makes the art Sol Lewitt