Thursday, April 26, 2007
The Stokke Gravity Chair is exactly the sort of innovative design that we like to feature on this site. Sure, we don’t always find stuff like this, but we gotta get you junkies fixed day in, day out, so we do what we can. This chair features an unusually long set of legs, which allows you to do all sorts of funky things with it. The legs are bent in such as way as to feature three flat planes, so you can recline, incline or lay flat, simply by shifting your body weight. The integrated footrest also doubles as a kneeler so you can be comfortable in the forward position. We think it’s brilliant, but rather expensive, at $2,300.
Of course, you might want to look at it as getting three chairs for the price of one… but it’s still a lot of cash. We can’t actually find the product on their site, and the link chain leads pretty much nowhere, so we don’t know if it is actually available or not. If anyone has a few hours to kill and decides to hunt around, let us know.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Syllabus
Prerequisites: ART 117, ART 118
The Course:
The aim of this class is to develop your own sculpture making process, from the aesthetic idea to finished state. These will be approached through basic sculpture materials, such as plaster, clay and wood, metals, and fiber. As well as introduction into the beginning principles of kinetics and site integrated interactions. In addition, innovative three-dimensional techniques will be investigated in close relationship to your conceptual language. This class has a lot to do with the act and process of making. Including Multiple brain storming processes, cultural adaptability (arts role in society, gallery space s. public space vs. private space) these do not come natural and I plan to stretch you, I know that each of you are capable to excel in this class.
Course Objectives:
Upon completion of this course you should be able to:
- Define and effectively manipulate multiple materials. (emphasis on craft)
- Facilitate the beginnings of a well-read and researched conceptual platform.
- Speak and write critically about personal work and that of others.
- Create interesting and unique solutions to the inherent complications of sculpture.
- An increased awareness and understanding of the role of sculpture in historic and modern art and society.
Participation:
Your active participation in this class is extremely important! Art is not created in a vacuum so it is important that everyone share his or her opinions and ideas. We will all be extending ourselves creatively so it is important to both give and accept feedback. A large part of this class is dependant on your participation to make it worthwhile. This does not only refer to the quality of work, but also includes your critical attitude. Therefore your questions and suggestions are a welcomed addition; I will be able to clarify much more thoroughly when trying to answer your specific questions about assignments, processes, materials, etc. Please do not sit and wait for me to call on you. Ask lots of questions. The degree of your success in this class in completely in your hands, I know you are up for the challenge.
Critiques:
We will be working from project descriptions to be used as “points of provocation” for each critique. We will schedule critiques of finished works, as well as individual progress meetings. Through group critiques and class discussions, you will learn to discuss, interpret and evaluate (three dimensional) art. These discussions and critiques are an important part of the projects. You will learn to verbally articulate ideas and responses to your work and the work of fellow students.
Critique day attendance:
If our critiques take more than one class period, you MUST attend both days. If your work is critiqued on the first day and you are absent on the second your project will not be graded. This makes it all the more imperative for you attendance. Absence from critique is excusable only with an official written excuse (parole officer, doctor, my mother)
Attendance Policy:
Attendance is mandatory and your attendance will affect your grade. It is your responsibility to show up prepared; it is my responsibility to make the class worth attending. This course may take advantage of various local resources, which could mean meeting off campus or somewhere other than the studio. Demonstrations and in class exercises are crucial, if you know you are going to be absent for a class in advance please let me know as soon as possible.
A substantial amount of work is done in class. Portfolios are cumulative, not selective: You must complete every assignment. Since it is impossible to contribute to class discussions you do not attend, your performance will suffer every time you miss a session. If you are late to class 3 times this will count as an absence. In the event of an absence from class, you are responsible for any thing you missed. If you are prone to many absences, this is not the class for you. More than three absences will affect your grade. Your grade will drop ½ a letter grade after your 4th absence. A sixth absence guarantees and F for the semester. I do not accept notes from doctors, parents, firefighters, etc. For multiple absences in a row (travel, emergency etc) please see me in advance. Failure to bring required materials is considered an absence. Do not arrive late for class, please. It is better to be 15 minutes early than 5 minutes late. Each session is packing with information and experience: To end on time we must start on time.
Official written or printed documentation must accompany a request to excuse an absence due to serious illness, family emergency or other legitimate reasons. Documentation does not necessarily mean a student will be excused. Appointments scheduled in advance will NOT be considered.
Problems will arise and I urge you to address them when in class so we can trouble shoot and both learn. Do not blow off exercises in class and then expect sympathy during critique.
Grading:
Your final grade will take the following items into consideration
-quality of work and technical execution
-completion of assigned work (on time; lateness will affect your grade)
-invention and ingenuity in problem solving
-participation in critiques
-general participation
-attendance
-studio maintenance
Grade Makeup:
10% Class Participation
10% Studio maintenance
80% Assignments (there will be a varying amount depending on time and circumstance each project however is equally weighted. (ex: 4 assignments, then each is worth 20%)
Each of those equally weighed percentages will assessed according to; innovation, craft, concept, technical proficiency, concept process/documentation (this includes a sketchbook) presentation, and your defense of each work.
A= SUPERIOR awarded for work that is outstanding, excellent, goes well beyond the call of duty. These works will exhibit exceptional excellence. This work greatly exceeds the required expectations of the course and instructor.
Studio: Strong, exceeding requirements of instructor.
Initiative: Contributions exceeding the assignment, showing independent resourcefulness.
Attitude: Positive benefit to the class
Cooperation: Leading all group activities, constant and spontaneous.
Individual Improvement: Marked and Growing
AB=ABOVE ABOVE AVERAGE BUT NOT YET SUPERIOR awarded to work that is on the cusp of superior work. Work that goes beyond average but was not superior in either technical or conceptual presentation.
Studio: Meeting all requirements of the project and the instructor with excellence
Initiative: Great and stimulated by desirable achievements.
Attitude: Beneficial and positive most of the time.
Cooperation: Great in group work.
Individual Improvement: Showing great marks of progress and highly responsive to stimulation
B=GOOD-ABOVE AVERAGE awarded for work that is above average in its technical and conceptual presentation.
Studio: Accurate and complete, meeting all the requirements of the instructor.
Initiative: Good and stimulated by some desirable achievement.
Attitude: Proper and Beneficial to the group
Cooperation: Good in group work.
Individual Improvement: Showing marks of progress and responding to stimulation.
BC=ON THE WAY TO ABOVE AVERAGE awarded for work that has great potential but does not deliver.
Studio: Meeting assignments and needs some encouragement.
Initiative: In flux, may have great ideas with little to no follow through
Attitude: Neutral and added to the class here and there.
Cooperation: Neither positive or negative
Individual Improvement: Definite marks lacking but having great ideas and effort.
C=AVERAGE awarded for work that is average in its technical and conceptual presentation.
Studio: barely meeting assignments and showing evidence of need of encouragement.
Initiative: Uncertain and apparent at times.
Attitude: Generally neutral but not objectionable.
Cooperation: Neither Positive nor very effective and irregular
Individual Improvement: Very ordinary, definite marks lacking.
D=BELOW AVERAGE, YET PASSING awarded for work that is below average in its technical and conceptual presentation. This work involves less than the minimum requirements for the course and instructor.
Studio: Not meeting all assignments and requirements of the instructor.
Initiative: Lacking.
Attitude: Indifferent
Cooperation: Just fair at times and lacking at other times.
Individual Improvement: Not noticeable
F= FAILING. This work is unacceptable, unsatisfactory and is a failing grade and hence not defined.
Classroom Use:
You can work in the Studio when the room is not in use for other classes. Space is limited and graded projects need to be removed immediately, or could be thrown away without warning.
- Wear suitable clothing for working in the studio.
- Pull long hair back.
- If you do not understand how to operate tools, ask for assistance.
- Clean up your area completely before you leave.
- Work Hard but work Safe.
In the event of an emergency, notify an instructor and follow emergency procedures.
Storage of Work:
Due to limited work space students will not be allowed to house projects outside of designated and assigned areas of storage. Special arrangements can be made for the storage of large materials or for special circumstances. PLEASE SEE ME. I CAN NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR DISCARDING SOMETHING THAT I DO NOT KNOW ABOUT.
Safety and Clean Facilities Policy:
Art Department Policy requires students to maintain a safe working environment for themselves, their fellow classmates, as well as for others using art facilities. Any instructor may report violations and determine student(s) responsible for the behavior. More than three violations will affect the final grade and, in recurring circumstances, may result in removal from the class. Violations include but are not limited to the following actions: misuse of studios, equipment, chemicals or tools; failure to clean up workspace, remove or discard unused material, leaving file clutter on the computers or tampering with the computers or any lab equipment, turn-off equipment after a work session; any threatening behavior even if disguised as a “joke”, and vandalism
Student Conduct and Policies:
- Please make sure that all cell phones are turned off before class begins. It is disrespectful to the students and faculty in our class and surrounding classes to have these items going off during class time.
- No swearing or derogatory comments about, or towards, any member of the class will be tolerated in any class period.
- If you have specific physical, psychiatric or learning disabilities and require accommodations, please let your Instructor know within the two days of class. Don’t hesitate to see me for further assistance.
- Infractions of the Undergraduate Honor System
(http://spider.georgetowncollege.edu/honorsystem.htm)
Infractions of the Undergraduate Honor System include cheating, stealing, and lying related to academic matters. These infractions are defined as follows:
• Cheating - Fabricating written assignments; giving aid to any student or receiving aid without the consent of the professor on tests, quizzes, assignments, or examinations; consulting unauthorized work with the intent of subverting the purpose of the exercise. (An assignment shall be defined as any work, required or voluntary, submitted to an instructor for review or grade.)
• Plagiarism - The act of presenting the information, ideas, or phrasing of another as if they were one's own. Such an act is plagiarism whether by ignorance of proper scholarly procedures, failure to observe them, or deliberate intent to deceive. No matter how small, there is a line between appropriation and plagiarism.
• Stealing - The act of appropriating that which belongs to the College or another individual with intent to achieve an unfair advantage in academic matters, whether or not the advantage is a personal one, and/or assisting others in such acts. (Examples include theft of library materials, materials/equipment, or instructor's examinations, etc.)
• Lying (in academic matters) -The intentional statement of an untruth made with deliberate intent to mislead another.
o Forgery is considered an act of lying and thus an honor offense. Therefore, the unauthorized signing or false representation on a college document is considered an honor offense.
o Note: It will be considered in an individual's favor in determining penalty, if an individual tells an untruth concerning a matter but later, on his/her own initiative tells the truth concerning the same matter before he/she is confronted with the untruth.
o Lying during the process of resolving an alleged honor offense is considered a breach of the Honor System.
• Double Assignments - The use of one assignment (e.g. a sculpture) to fulfill the requirements of more than one course will be considered a violation of the Honor System, unless the student has received proper permission from the appropriate instructor(s).
Emergencies:
In the case of an emergency call 911 or 8111.
Make sure to contact an instructor as well, if you even think it might be considered an emergency, don’t hesitate to contact me.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask. I know we will have a lot of fun and have the opportunity for a lot of good work. I am excited (maybe a little to excited at times, so if I speak to fast or I lost you somewhere please stop me) I hope you are excited as well.
A short note:
This is not arts and crafts class.
We are not here to make gifts.
You will not find everything you need in the art building or at Wal-mart.
I will not accept BS.
I will not accept work done right before class. (I would have higher respect for you if you were honest.) SO BE HONEST
You earn your grade according to your actions.
You are not given an A you earn an A.
You are not entitled to a good grade or an easy time.
I know that you all have the capacity of being highly conceptual thinkers. I would not be doing my job if I did not push you, stretch you and make you think hard. I will not settle for letting you go through a class of mine without extensive self and environmental (your surroundings) analysis. A big part of this class and life in general is getting past the surface of things. I will not accept surface concepts or imagery. You are not allowed to use lighting bolts, hearts, stars, glitter (unless to the level of Claire Joyce), blatant religious iconography, etc. Art is a form of communication either with an audience or with the self. The analogy: If I am angry, everyone’s instinct is to produce a label for the emotion (this is a surface level reaction) for instance “I hate you” or some four-letter explicative. What we as artists are after are the emotions behind those surfaces. So rather than saying “I hate you”, you can communicate and make someone feel exactly what it is relating to. If you are after making pretty things, you are in the wrong class and I will most likely be a source of frustration for you. I know you all have the ability to be different than others, you all have the ability to think outside of social norms, lets do this. I have seen since my time in Kentucky that what most people here think is outside the “box” and crazy are not so, they are quite actually the norm. I am asking you to think differently.
If you start to see things in new light and learn more about yourself than the processes covered in my class I am good with that, if see things in new light and learn more about yourself through the projects and processes of my class, that is the most I could ask for.
The Course:
The aim of this class is to develop your own sculpture making process, from the aesthetic idea to finished state. These will be approached through basic sculpture materials, such as plaster, clay and wood, metals, and fiber. As well as introduction into the beginning principles of kinetics and site integrated interactions. In addition, innovative three-dimensional techniques will be investigated in close relationship to your conceptual language. This class has a lot to do with the act and process of making. Including Multiple brain storming processes, cultural adaptability (arts role in society, gallery space s. public space vs. private space) these do not come natural and I plan to stretch you, I know that each of you are capable to excel in this class.
Course Objectives:
Upon completion of this course you should be able to:
- Define and effectively manipulate multiple materials. (emphasis on craft)
- Facilitate the beginnings of a well-read and researched conceptual platform.
- Speak and write critically about personal work and that of others.
- Create interesting and unique solutions to the inherent complications of sculpture.
- An increased awareness and understanding of the role of sculpture in historic and modern art and society.
Participation:
Your active participation in this class is extremely important! Art is not created in a vacuum so it is important that everyone share his or her opinions and ideas. We will all be extending ourselves creatively so it is important to both give and accept feedback. A large part of this class is dependant on your participation to make it worthwhile. This does not only refer to the quality of work, but also includes your critical attitude. Therefore your questions and suggestions are a welcomed addition; I will be able to clarify much more thoroughly when trying to answer your specific questions about assignments, processes, materials, etc. Please do not sit and wait for me to call on you. Ask lots of questions. The degree of your success in this class in completely in your hands, I know you are up for the challenge.
Critiques:
We will be working from project descriptions to be used as “points of provocation” for each critique. We will schedule critiques of finished works, as well as individual progress meetings. Through group critiques and class discussions, you will learn to discuss, interpret and evaluate (three dimensional) art. These discussions and critiques are an important part of the projects. You will learn to verbally articulate ideas and responses to your work and the work of fellow students.
Critique day attendance:
If our critiques take more than one class period, you MUST attend both days. If your work is critiqued on the first day and you are absent on the second your project will not be graded. This makes it all the more imperative for you attendance. Absence from critique is excusable only with an official written excuse (parole officer, doctor, my mother)
Attendance Policy:
Attendance is mandatory and your attendance will affect your grade. It is your responsibility to show up prepared; it is my responsibility to make the class worth attending. This course may take advantage of various local resources, which could mean meeting off campus or somewhere other than the studio. Demonstrations and in class exercises are crucial, if you know you are going to be absent for a class in advance please let me know as soon as possible.
A substantial amount of work is done in class. Portfolios are cumulative, not selective: You must complete every assignment. Since it is impossible to contribute to class discussions you do not attend, your performance will suffer every time you miss a session. If you are late to class 3 times this will count as an absence. In the event of an absence from class, you are responsible for any thing you missed. If you are prone to many absences, this is not the class for you. More than three absences will affect your grade. Your grade will drop ½ a letter grade after your 4th absence. A sixth absence guarantees and F for the semester. I do not accept notes from doctors, parents, firefighters, etc. For multiple absences in a row (travel, emergency etc) please see me in advance. Failure to bring required materials is considered an absence. Do not arrive late for class, please. It is better to be 15 minutes early than 5 minutes late. Each session is packing with information and experience: To end on time we must start on time.
Official written or printed documentation must accompany a request to excuse an absence due to serious illness, family emergency or other legitimate reasons. Documentation does not necessarily mean a student will be excused. Appointments scheduled in advance will NOT be considered.
Problems will arise and I urge you to address them when in class so we can trouble shoot and both learn. Do not blow off exercises in class and then expect sympathy during critique.
Grading:
Your final grade will take the following items into consideration
-quality of work and technical execution
-completion of assigned work (on time; lateness will affect your grade)
-invention and ingenuity in problem solving
-participation in critiques
-general participation
-attendance
-studio maintenance
Grade Makeup:
10% Class Participation
10% Studio maintenance
80% Assignments (there will be a varying amount depending on time and circumstance each project however is equally weighted. (ex: 4 assignments, then each is worth 20%)
Each of those equally weighed percentages will assessed according to; innovation, craft, concept, technical proficiency, concept process/documentation (this includes a sketchbook) presentation, and your defense of each work.
A= SUPERIOR awarded for work that is outstanding, excellent, goes well beyond the call of duty. These works will exhibit exceptional excellence. This work greatly exceeds the required expectations of the course and instructor.
Studio: Strong, exceeding requirements of instructor.
Initiative: Contributions exceeding the assignment, showing independent resourcefulness.
Attitude: Positive benefit to the class
Cooperation: Leading all group activities, constant and spontaneous.
Individual Improvement: Marked and Growing
AB=ABOVE ABOVE AVERAGE BUT NOT YET SUPERIOR awarded to work that is on the cusp of superior work. Work that goes beyond average but was not superior in either technical or conceptual presentation.
Studio: Meeting all requirements of the project and the instructor with excellence
Initiative: Great and stimulated by desirable achievements.
Attitude: Beneficial and positive most of the time.
Cooperation: Great in group work.
Individual Improvement: Showing great marks of progress and highly responsive to stimulation
B=GOOD-ABOVE AVERAGE awarded for work that is above average in its technical and conceptual presentation.
Studio: Accurate and complete, meeting all the requirements of the instructor.
Initiative: Good and stimulated by some desirable achievement.
Attitude: Proper and Beneficial to the group
Cooperation: Good in group work.
Individual Improvement: Showing marks of progress and responding to stimulation.
BC=ON THE WAY TO ABOVE AVERAGE awarded for work that has great potential but does not deliver.
Studio: Meeting assignments and needs some encouragement.
Initiative: In flux, may have great ideas with little to no follow through
Attitude: Neutral and added to the class here and there.
Cooperation: Neither positive or negative
Individual Improvement: Definite marks lacking but having great ideas and effort.
C=AVERAGE awarded for work that is average in its technical and conceptual presentation.
Studio: barely meeting assignments and showing evidence of need of encouragement.
Initiative: Uncertain and apparent at times.
Attitude: Generally neutral but not objectionable.
Cooperation: Neither Positive nor very effective and irregular
Individual Improvement: Very ordinary, definite marks lacking.
D=BELOW AVERAGE, YET PASSING awarded for work that is below average in its technical and conceptual presentation. This work involves less than the minimum requirements for the course and instructor.
Studio: Not meeting all assignments and requirements of the instructor.
Initiative: Lacking.
Attitude: Indifferent
Cooperation: Just fair at times and lacking at other times.
Individual Improvement: Not noticeable
F= FAILING. This work is unacceptable, unsatisfactory and is a failing grade and hence not defined.
Classroom Use:
You can work in the Studio when the room is not in use for other classes. Space is limited and graded projects need to be removed immediately, or could be thrown away without warning.
- Wear suitable clothing for working in the studio.
- Pull long hair back.
- If you do not understand how to operate tools, ask for assistance.
- Clean up your area completely before you leave.
- Work Hard but work Safe.
In the event of an emergency, notify an instructor and follow emergency procedures.
Storage of Work:
Due to limited work space students will not be allowed to house projects outside of designated and assigned areas of storage. Special arrangements can be made for the storage of large materials or for special circumstances. PLEASE SEE ME. I CAN NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR DISCARDING SOMETHING THAT I DO NOT KNOW ABOUT.
Safety and Clean Facilities Policy:
Art Department Policy requires students to maintain a safe working environment for themselves, their fellow classmates, as well as for others using art facilities. Any instructor may report violations and determine student(s) responsible for the behavior. More than three violations will affect the final grade and, in recurring circumstances, may result in removal from the class. Violations include but are not limited to the following actions: misuse of studios, equipment, chemicals or tools; failure to clean up workspace, remove or discard unused material, leaving file clutter on the computers or tampering with the computers or any lab equipment, turn-off equipment after a work session; any threatening behavior even if disguised as a “joke”, and vandalism
Student Conduct and Policies:
- Please make sure that all cell phones are turned off before class begins. It is disrespectful to the students and faculty in our class and surrounding classes to have these items going off during class time.
- No swearing or derogatory comments about, or towards, any member of the class will be tolerated in any class period.
- If you have specific physical, psychiatric or learning disabilities and require accommodations, please let your Instructor know within the two days of class. Don’t hesitate to see me for further assistance.
- Infractions of the Undergraduate Honor System
(http://spider.georgetowncollege.edu/honorsystem.htm)
Infractions of the Undergraduate Honor System include cheating, stealing, and lying related to academic matters. These infractions are defined as follows:
• Cheating - Fabricating written assignments; giving aid to any student or receiving aid without the consent of the professor on tests, quizzes, assignments, or examinations; consulting unauthorized work with the intent of subverting the purpose of the exercise. (An assignment shall be defined as any work, required or voluntary, submitted to an instructor for review or grade.)
• Plagiarism - The act of presenting the information, ideas, or phrasing of another as if they were one's own. Such an act is plagiarism whether by ignorance of proper scholarly procedures, failure to observe them, or deliberate intent to deceive. No matter how small, there is a line between appropriation and plagiarism.
• Stealing - The act of appropriating that which belongs to the College or another individual with intent to achieve an unfair advantage in academic matters, whether or not the advantage is a personal one, and/or assisting others in such acts. (Examples include theft of library materials, materials/equipment, or instructor's examinations, etc.)
• Lying (in academic matters) -The intentional statement of an untruth made with deliberate intent to mislead another.
o Forgery is considered an act of lying and thus an honor offense. Therefore, the unauthorized signing or false representation on a college document is considered an honor offense.
o Note: It will be considered in an individual's favor in determining penalty, if an individual tells an untruth concerning a matter but later, on his/her own initiative tells the truth concerning the same matter before he/she is confronted with the untruth.
o Lying during the process of resolving an alleged honor offense is considered a breach of the Honor System.
• Double Assignments - The use of one assignment (e.g. a sculpture) to fulfill the requirements of more than one course will be considered a violation of the Honor System, unless the student has received proper permission from the appropriate instructor(s).
Emergencies:
In the case of an emergency call 911 or 8111.
Make sure to contact an instructor as well, if you even think it might be considered an emergency, don’t hesitate to contact me.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask. I know we will have a lot of fun and have the opportunity for a lot of good work. I am excited (maybe a little to excited at times, so if I speak to fast or I lost you somewhere please stop me) I hope you are excited as well.
A short note:
This is not arts and crafts class.
We are not here to make gifts.
You will not find everything you need in the art building or at Wal-mart.
I will not accept BS.
I will not accept work done right before class. (I would have higher respect for you if you were honest.) SO BE HONEST
You earn your grade according to your actions.
You are not given an A you earn an A.
You are not entitled to a good grade or an easy time.
I know that you all have the capacity of being highly conceptual thinkers. I would not be doing my job if I did not push you, stretch you and make you think hard. I will not settle for letting you go through a class of mine without extensive self and environmental (your surroundings) analysis. A big part of this class and life in general is getting past the surface of things. I will not accept surface concepts or imagery. You are not allowed to use lighting bolts, hearts, stars, glitter (unless to the level of Claire Joyce), blatant religious iconography, etc. Art is a form of communication either with an audience or with the self. The analogy: If I am angry, everyone’s instinct is to produce a label for the emotion (this is a surface level reaction) for instance “I hate you” or some four-letter explicative. What we as artists are after are the emotions behind those surfaces. So rather than saying “I hate you”, you can communicate and make someone feel exactly what it is relating to. If you are after making pretty things, you are in the wrong class and I will most likely be a source of frustration for you. I know you all have the ability to be different than others, you all have the ability to think outside of social norms, lets do this. I have seen since my time in Kentucky that what most people here think is outside the “box” and crazy are not so, they are quite actually the norm. I am asking you to think differently.
If you start to see things in new light and learn more about yourself than the processes covered in my class I am good with that, if see things in new light and learn more about yourself through the projects and processes of my class, that is the most I could ask for.
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