My schedule for this semester.
Visual Language: This class applies academic/formal terms to art, and requires attention to observe and to utilize this language (ie. assemblage, composition, negative space, etc). For homework, I have to write a 1-page paper and do a powerpoint presentation about an artist of my choice, and turn a concrete (not literarily) thing/object into abstract; I don't find this difficult, because I've practiced this type of thinking in the past. What I haven't done much is to integrate culture and history to my artwork.
Form Study: My homework is to make the Bird's Nest Bowl from Woman's Day Magazine, watch DIY videos, think about this experience, for this class. I think that future projects will be the hardest part.
Intro to Western Art: The professor sounds like David Sedaris, and both are funny. The class is held in the auditorium, with almost all of the incoming class, about 490 students. The professor stands up on the stage, and he talks while presenting an image-based (not text-based) slideshow. Homework is to read part of the textbook and write a 1-page paper about a single piece of artwork in a local art museum; I'm looking forward to writing this paper.
Out of Arabia (seminar): Lecture-based. We're learning about Arabian architecture/art and how it relates to their cultural mindset (ie. veiling/covering the Kaaba for respect and humbleness seems to relate to veiling people). Homework is to read two articles.
Intro to Film and Video: The class is in a special film screening/viewing room (absorbs sounds, black room). Our future project is to work in pairs to take the "portrait" of a person or a place.
Drawing: I think that this will be my most difficult class. We cannot listen to music in class. Our professor talks a lot, in metaphors, and he is intense about the parts of the drawing process. Homework is considered one of the shortest assignment: 6 hours blind contour drawing done with the opposite hand that we draw with. At least 5 drawings of each foot, and of the hand; about 30 min. per drawing. He says that for these first two weeks, the drawings (end result) don't matter (he used a different phrase than this), and that our focus/observation on the object is key.
This assemblage of courses sounds like an interesting, varied mix, including both hands-on "doing" of one's own artwork, and conceptual analysis of all art by others generally. I don't know which of these courses I would be most drawn to since each one in its own way sounds intriguing. Here's a tip: Treat the papers that you must write as art itself, creative works that must be clearly conceptualized and skillfully executed, works that require careful observation, delicate crafting and repeated redoing. As with visual art, use the basics or fundamentals of language precisely to convey a clear and honest view intelligible to others.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to hearing more about your experiences in all of these classes and what you learn from each. I am sure that each will, in some small way at least, inform your ongoing development as an artist. Enjoy. Do your best. Stay in touch.
The way that you outlined writing, is how I want to write.
DeleteI will try my best to continue updates.
Thank you!