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, [email protected]: Jonas Lindberg,
[email protected]
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
