Research: What is Scupture? Due Tue. Jan 24th

Please read through this website and think of it terms of the discussion we had last class on the Krauss text.

What is sculpture? 

Here are a few other links to get you thinking:

A nice little animation about sculpture basics- from the St. Louis Art Museum.

Some basics about sculpture in Western art- from the Getty Museum.

A more technical, but still brief, overview of sculpture- from the University of Chicago.

Assignment 1: ART3711C- Path of Inquiry. Statement of Intent and material studies. Due Tuesday, Jan. 24th

ART3711C- Materials and Methods Only

Introduction

For this assignment you will establish a path of inquiry that you will follow through the whole semester. Your Path of Inquiry will begin by choosing three materials to study, determining how to research and learn about each of them, researching artists (historical and contemporary) who have worked with these materials, and developing a way to respond to your findings through your sculptural work (experimentation and art-making). You will be following the steps below. I will send a google form to help you organize your responses.

Steps

1. Choose three specific materials to study. 
Note: At least two of the materials must be new to you- meaning that you have not previously worked with them to make art. Examples of materials can be as direct as "wood" or as fluid as "things that float". 

2. Find sources to research and study of each material. 
List at least three specific sources per material to begin your research. Your research must extend beyond internet searches to include books and or articles/journals, and consider the following aspects of each material:

• Historical (where it comes from)
• Practical/technical (how to manipulate/use it)
• Cultural (our relationship to it) 

3. Research Methods of using the materials. 

• Artist List- Choose at least 6 specific artists who's practice includes an investigation of the materials you have decided to focus on. You will research their approach towards these materials in their own art practice. At least two artitst for each material. The artists can overlap across material lists, but you have to end up with six artists total. At least two of them need to be living, working artists. 
• Technical List- List two places you can research to find more ways of working with your materials. These can be businesses, manufacturers, craftspeople, etc. 

4. Establish your goals- technical and communicative

In a few sentences, establish a real and attainable goal for this semester with regards to the materials you have selected and what you hope to do with them. 

One paragraph for your technical goals.

One paragraph for your communicative goals.

FOR CLASS

Material Studies- 3 materials and 15 examples to manipluate them. 

Please bring in samples of the three materials you will be investigating this semester along with at least five different ways to manipulate each one. 

Material Culture- how the material communicates

Write a bullet-point/list of the different ways your materials communicate in culture. On list for each. Be as thorough as possible and base it on your research. 

Sketches of three distinct ideas-

Bring in three detailed and developed sketches for options for three different forms you would like to make this semester. 

First Project

Your first actual sculpture project will be assigned in the next blog post. It requires that you follow through with these steps. 

Research and Preparation for Next Class. Due Jan 17th

Preparation for January 17th @ 9am:

1. Sculpture in the Expanded Field

Please read the Krauss text sent via email and answer the prompts I will send you via google worksheets tomorrow. I suggest highlighting some things that stand out to you in text, and looking up any terms/references you are not familiar with.  

Response (10 points): 

-What would have been so problematic about the classification of these artists'  works at the time it they were made?

-This text was written in the late 1970's. How may we find ourself in a similar situation today written regards to identifying/cataloguing and understanding current creative practice? 

-Of the object-oriented "sculptural" work being made today, what type of work do you find most challenging to accept or understand?

We will spend the first 30 mins of class discussing this. Please come prepared to share your thoughts. Bring some notes to help you communicate your ideas.

2. Bring a new work to share
Bring in a new work to share that fits into what you define as sculptural practice. There are only three limitations:

New- must be made now for this class. Nothing for another class or anything made last semester. It's fine if it's something you started working on during winter break.

Object World- The pice must relate to sculptural practice. It can not be traditional 2-D work or straight film. How it relates needs to be explainable by you.

3. Discussion on Work brought in for show and tell.
In your opinion, what are the most successful aspects of the work?
In your opinion, what are the areas you most need to grow that were evidenced in the creation and presentation of this piece?
In general, what are the most successful aspects of your current practice? Areas of greatest opportunity for growth?

Curatorial Process-
For the last hour of the class we will go to the NWSA gallery to peek into the curatorial process for mounting a show. In this case, the Sculpture Alumni exhibit. 

Welcome- Sculpture I, Material & Methods

Welcome all current students in ART2701C [Sculpture I] and ART3711C [Sculpture: Materials & Methods].

Today, you will receive an email from me with the syllabus. Please be sure to follow this blog by entering your email address in the lower right-hand area of this page.

I will be posting your first project shortly. Don't forget to come properly dressed (no loose clothing and thick shoes) and prepared to work on Tue., Jan 17th.

Email with your first artist presentation. Next week, I will be presenting the first artist as an example for you. I will also set up a schedule for your presentations.