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Tuesday, January 31, 2012

M-T surface HW checklist (due W-TH)

read/research/write
___1. READ [p3] DOT LANDSCAPE HANDOUT.

___2. Google/research + harvest/print images/samples of works that appeal and put in VJ
Principle of composition - Repetition and Rhythm

Method + samples of work
1. Futurist/dada collage
2. Assemblage
3. Pop up books
4. Minimalism

Artists + samples of work
1. Lance Letscher
2. Kurt Schwitters (collage)
3. Robert Rauschenberg (assemblages)
4. Donald Judd (minimalist)
___3. Write up Dot/Squared crit and put one photo of series on the wall.

___4. VJ due next studio (get up to date checklist)
make/complete
(12) studies on tracing paper or vellum
(6) influenced by topo mapping the other (6) by magnetic field mapping
a few contour studies by Megan
materials
bring materials (plus alternatives) to explore/develop dot landscape #1 (topo sampling); no supplies counts as absent

DOT THIS

Friday, January 27, 2012

[p1] dots + [p2] squared blitz critique setup

Your dot/square projects should be posted on wall
before 9:30 am
Monday (MW crew)
Tuesday (TTH crew) morning.
Mentors will be there to assist at 9 am. I will be there at 8:30.


Bring enough clear thumbtacks to mount your work on the wall. Bring a small piece of paper (fortune cookie sized) with your name typed (12 pts) on it as well as MW.

Here is a rough sample of what they will look like on the wall. Dots in first column; opposing square pairs in second column. Opposing pairs should be next to each other, but they do not need to be in the order listed on the handout. Your team will try to identify each opposing set through perception.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

[p2] squared blitz + dot walk photo series



dot walk photo series
Note in class due date adjustment
New due date 2/3-4 with Visual Journal

[p1/p2 are still on schedule for final crit 1/30 Monday (MW crew)/ 1/31 Tuesday (TTH crew)

view powerpoint past student samples

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

[p1] dot concept crit guide
for 1/25 mw & 1/26 tth

dot concept crit guide -- proximity, continuance, similarity [downloadable pdf]

Critee – takes notes in VJ and listen carefully; pay attention to others perceptions. Can you see their viewpoint? Is it stronger than your initial intent? What could be adjusted to strengthen either your intent or teams perception? Are you surprised? How so? Not surprised? Why not? For final three selected by team, agree or disagree with each selection and explain why? Be VERY specific. How could even these be strengthened? TEST IT? If yes, make this refinement for final ones. Address all questions in crit write up.

Criters
Quickly SORT as a team into categories based on 3 dominating principle

One category at a time, analyze for meaning; eliminate the weakest - flip over and set to side away from rest; continue process of elimination down to best (strongest meaning + interesting visual solution) TWO for each category.

Select final 3—Be sure the final set shows varied/distinct solutions. Lay them out together (couple inches between each; not touching). Are they too much the same or do they show good variety? How interesting are they as a set?

Using tracing paper over each (3) quickly note suggestions for refine to strengthen composition and/or concept.

Critee follow up
Tape original team selected three solutions in VJ (or Xerox copy). Put crit write up below comps. Based on crit determine any items still needing to be resolved/refined and update. Test changes. If yes go with refined solution.

You may make an executive decision to substitute ONE totally different comp than the team chose, BUT for that one you must include tape copy of team-selected comp next to one you select AND give a written justification as to why you have chosen to switch out that comp.

Execute top three pristine BW on 6x6 on Bristol paper or INKJET MATT PHOTO PAPER. Mount each 6x6 on 10x10 black construction paper with 6x6 perfectly centered. Due 1/30-31, 9:30 am.

See [p2] squared BLITZ + Dot photo series handout. Due 1/30-31, 9:30 am.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Habit Crit handout is also homework guide [HW to do checklist]

Habit Crit Download

Habits/Patterns of Compositional Problem Solving
[DOT thumbnail team process crit]

1. Spread out all thumbnail compositions on your desk. Your table team will spend 5-7 minutes analyzing your thumbnails and NOTING your habits/patterns of problem solving for the entire set of compositions.

TAKE NOTES while your work is being crit in your VJ. You will participate in the analysis of the rest of your team members.

Some typical observable habits (sense of sameness) in the solutions to look for are: dot size, dot degree of scale shifts, placement relative to the page/square (centered, off center), distances between dots, distances from edges, density of dots, amount of negative (white) space.

Possible habits/patterns in solutions
a. Scale
b. Distances
c. Relational shifts of scale, distance, placement or density
d. Density
e. Placement (within page)
You will discover you have compositional habits as well as work/process habits that should be paid attention to and pushed/stretched throughout the semester. Watch for them.

You are to record in your VJ the team’s analysis of your work and apparent solution habits.

HW Also write up summary of what you learned from your and your peers crits. Be sure to address a-e in VJ even if your team did not discuss. Complete before next surface studio.

2. Create new/revise thumbnail solutions
For communicating MEANING (gestalt) if adjustment is needed based on more thorough understanding via team discussion, make several revisions.

Develop 2-3 additional studies for each concept breaking your dominate PATTERNS/HABITS in terms of dot size, degree of scale shifts, placement, distance, density. Add these to your three sets and narrow down to top ten most interesting, unique, and clear for each concept.

3. Render with sharpies (dots solid; no outlines) the top five strongest (conceptually and visually) compositions for EACH principle as 5.5.x5.5 BW compositions.
a. Cut out 15 - 5.5x5.5 inch squares from smooth Bristol or white cardstock.

b. Scale up and refine and replicate your 15 chosen thumbnails on to the 6x6 squares.

c. Within each square, using, a fine tip black pen, draw 3-6 precise circles with a circle template or compass. Carefully fill in circles completely with black sharpie. Alternatively you may use black cut paper circle forms to compose within the 5.5x5.5 field.

d. Remember you are composing these circle forms to express the following gestalt principles: Continuance, Proximity, and Similarity.

e. CRAFTSMANSHIP matters!

f. Label each composition lightly with pencil on back with concept, MW and your name. After you have completed these 15 compositions, carefully evaluate each and determine which ones are the most successful. Do any need to be revised? Make it happen.
These 15 comps will be critiqued first thing next surface studio.

Friday, January 20, 2012

Gestalt Reading

Your text Art Fundamentals has further explanations of Gestalt in chapter 2. Check it out. I've also included a short excerpt from another text which you will find helpful (and brief).

Thursday, January 19, 2012

day 1 surface HW

surface HW
due first studio week 2 [MW 1/23; TTH 1/24]

Read/Respond [VJ=surface Visual Journal]
  1. Summary of morning [refine/synthesize notes] and add your thoughts/opinions, agree/disagree and why with what was discussed
  2. Record quote and expound on why you agree/disagree or a combo
  3. Identify/explain the subject, form, content of p1 comps [see AF ch 1]
  4. READ [P1] dot handout thoroughly.
  5. Define vocabulary [listed on p1 handout]
  6. Pre-read for lecture AF ch 1, IM intro, TCA ch 1 (pdfs online – blackboard)
  7. Carefully read entire syllabus
Make
  1. Thirty (30) thumbnails for [p1] dot in VJ [step one]
    10 – proximity
    10 – continuance
    10 – similarity
  2. Copy thumbnails and cut a part
  3. Store individual thumbnails in envelop in VJ
Materials
  1. Acquire supplies + textbook
  2. Read [p1] dot handout for stuff like--compass, circle template, white tracing paper, more white paper, lots of sharpies, pencils, black construction paper, ream of white paper, ream of what cardstock, Visual Journal
FRIDAY lecture 9:30 am
Art Building E, room 108

MW studios enter lecture room via left door.
Check in with your Friday mentor, Farrah.

TTH studios enter lecture room via right door.
Check in with your Friday mentor, Misty-Dawn.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

surface syllabus [MW 1313.01 + TTH 1313.02]
read before first studio meeting

surface syllabus [pdf]

What is WASH:
WASH is an experimental studio environment that combines training in visual and critical thinking with an exploration of the ideas and practices of contemporary visual art, focusing on art as it is practiced today. This nine credit hour interdisciplinary immersive program, which includes two studio components [surface + space] and a Friday lecture component, exposes students to a wide variety of styles, methodologies, material possibilities and concepts.

Studio Objectives:
This interdisciplinary aspect of WASH, will meet twice a week in six hour blocks. Students will be challenged to investigate, take risks, work within parameters, creatively problem solve, as well as think big. Throughout the semester you will be challenged to explore a wide range of media and materials to create art, with several overall goals in mind:
  • Think broadly, deeply, imaginatively and critically about art and art making
  • Identify and employ the elements and principles of design to create thoughtful and complex works of art
  • Articulate ideas visually through practice with various materials and styles
  • Collaborate with others effectively
  • Make informed visual and conceptual choices
  • Acquire foundational knowledge of art and contemporary artists
  • Communicate effectively through writing, research, evaluating, analyzing and critiquing your own work, as well as your peers’ work
  • Document work and work process through writing, sketches and images
  • Develop methods for working within parameters and timelines (time management, list making, calendaring, etc)
This program will equip you with tools that are essential to your development as a successful artist, animator or designer. YOU must be willing to stretch artistically and in your work practices and grow beyond your previous artistic experiences.

Studio Expectations:
Welcome to art bootcamp. You are here to make ART and cultivate strategies for your creation process. This program will require tremendous commitment and time management to be successful. WASH professors and the art department have very high expectations of each of you. You should plan on spending a minimum of 30 hours a week both inside and outside of class. If you are not willing to fully invest the time needed to be a successful artist/animator/designer, please consider dropping all three classes that make up the WASH program immediately. 

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

WASH required material list

Spring 2012 WASH [surface + space + lecture] KIT

REQUIRED SUPPLIES FOR WASH PROGRAM
All of these supplies are required and we will be using ALL of them. You can choose to purchase these items anywhere you like. BearKat Books Art Supply (located at 2223 Ave. J in Huntsville) have put a WASH KIT together and will offer you a 10% discount for purchasing in bulk. Kits will be available to purchase on Monday, January 16th. Open M-F 8am-5pm, 936-295-4108

Write your name on everything! Your scissors, glue, etc looks exactly the SAME as everyone else's! Names will help you to NOT inadvertently rip off your neighbor's stuff.

WASH KIT
  • WASH Visual Journal surface + space (2)—only available at BearKat Books
  • Composition Notebook for lecture (1)
  • Black Twin Tip Sharpies (2)
  • Black Sharpie Pens (2)
  • Pencils (2)
  • Chartpak colorless blender pen (1)
  • Liquitex Basics Acrylic paint (5 color set; including black/white)
  • Strathmore 300 Bristol pad 18x24 (20 sheet pad)
  • Clearpoint Vellum Paper (20 sheets)
  • Newsprint Pad 18x24 (50 pgs)
  • ModPodge Medium (8 oz.)
  • Paint Brush set (set of 25)
  • Tracing Paper Pad 9x12 (50 sheets)
  • Black Construction Paper 12x18 (100 sheets)
  • WhiteOut Pen (1)
  • Single Hole Punch (1)
  • Utility Knife (box cutter type with additional blades)
  • X-acto type precision knife with cap and 5 #11 blades
  • Circle Template (1)
  • Self-healing cutting board
  • Binder clips small (set of 12)
  • Binder clips medium (set of 10)
  • Push Pins Clear (set of 20)
  • T-pins 1” (set of 100)
  • Blue Painters Tape (3/4”x60yards)
  • Spray Mount Adhesive (4oz.)
  • Uhu Glue Stick (medium)
  • Carpenters Wood Glue (8oz.)
  • Elmer’s Glue (8oz.)
  • 18” Cork Backed Metal Ruler (1)
  • Kneaded Eraser (1)
  • Sanding Block Medium/Fine (1)
  • Masonite Squares 12”x12” (2)
  • Masonite Squares 6”x6” (1)
Additional required materials* NOT included in the WASH KIT:
  • Scissors (1)
  • Mounting Boards (size will vary)
  • Ream of White Copy Paper (pack of 500)
  • Ream of White Card Stock (pack of 250)
  • White Thread (1 spool)
  • Black Thread (1 spool)
  • Sewing needles (small pack)
  • Bleach Pen (1)
  • Wax Paper (1 roll)
  • USB Flash Drive 2GB or 4GB (1)
  • Blank CD’s (pack of 10)
  • Blank DVD’s (pack of 5)
  • Hot Glue Gun (1)
  • Hot Glue Sticks (package of 50-100)
  • Blue Painters (low tac) Tape
  • Combination lock for locker
  • Laptop and access to printer
  • Digital camera or camera phone
  • Video camera or video on phone
  • Funds for printing photographs
* With several surface + space projects you will have the opportunity to use a broad range of personally selected and professor approved materials. These project specific materials will lead to further necessary purchases.

Required Textbooks
1. In the Making: Creative Options for Contemporary Art
    by: Linda Weintraub
    ISBN: 1-891024-59-0
2. Themes of Contemporary Art: Visual Art after 1980
    by: Jean Robertson and Craig McDaniel ISBN: 979-0-19-536757-7
3. Art Fundamentals: Theory and Practice {TENTH or ELEVENTH edition}
    by: Ocvirk, Stinson, Wigg, Bone and Cayton {CD or DVD is not required}
    ISBN-13: 978-0-07-286233-1

WASH