Assignment 12

Look back to Assignment 1 in which you gave your personal definition of Art. Write one paragraph in your sketchbook and readdress how this definition has evolved now that you have gone through an intensively wonderful art filled month of art.

Assignment 10

Beautiful Losers:
Please answer the following questions in your sketchbook:

1. What do you think " the art of getting over" means?

2. What do you think the difference between commercial art and fine art is?

3. What do you think an artist losses when their work enters the commercial market?

4. What is Graffitti to you?

5. When do you think Graffitti is accecptable?

6. How has this movie developed your idea of the act of making art?

Assignment 9

(Project #2 Preparation worksheet)

Part 1:
Think about which of your subjects you might want to explore during this project. On a separate sheet of paper address the following topics.

1. Which of your subject matters would you like to work with on this project?

2. List this subject matter’s four subcategories.

3. State which of your subcategories you would like to focus on for this project.

4. Now brainstorm on the chosen topic, make a diagram (similar to assignment 5.) Use this abstract thinking about your subcategory to help guide you in the next steps.

5. Make a list of at least 5 possible readymade objects. Think about and list the possible significance of the readymade objects in your brainstorm list. Finally, edit your choices down to two.

6. Write at least two sentences about your readymade objects
relevance to your subcategory.

7. Write at least two sentences explaining why your final choice is the best out of your list of possible readymade objects.

8. Next, think about how you will change this readymade form through a series of steps to create a sequential variation. It is important that the methods of variation you choose inform the ideas you are interested in exploring, providing context and content to your whole sculpture. The series you create is not a list, a grouping or a story, but instead a sequence with a distinct progression.

9. Brainstorm ideas of how you might present the final project to a group of peers on Thursday. (Consider a base or armature, and background)

10. Come up with three possible titles to share with your group.

Part 2:
-Acquire enough of your chosen readymade object to experiment with.

-Experiment with your objects. Try manipulating them in different ways. For example if your object has multiple parts you might play with mechanically disassemble and reassembling them into a different form. Or perhaps you selected a piece of fruit that can be cut, sliced, shredded, and peeled, these new apple pieces can than be rearranged into a different form relating to your subcategory.

-Document at least five stages of your objects transformation and bring them to class on Thursday. (Print images in the format of a contact sheet, bring your digital camera, or the actual ready-mades to class.)
*Some parameters to consider are:
-Individual form, overall sequential form, number of stages, scale, color, addition, subtraction, mutation, orientation (rotation or relative position), arrangement, rhythm, spatial relationship, environment, and presentation.

-The changes you make to your readymade objects can be additive or subtractive, but are limited to the use of the ready-mades and their potential parts. At this stage, the only additional materials can be coloring agents (paint, ink, etc.) and adhesives.

-Take pictures of each of your experiments and bring copies to class on Thursday, June 24th, 2009.

You will not be allowed to participate in class without this material and will be asked to leave.

Assignment 8

Choose one of the artists from the list below and select 5 pieces that you like. Adhere the photos in your sketchbook and write a paragraph for each image describing what you like about the work and what you think the artist is trying to translate to the viewer. Please include the title of the piece next to the appropriate photo. Thanks!


Mark Dion
Damien Hurst
Eva Hesse
Barbara Kruger
Egon Schiele
Kiki Smith
Jeff Koons
Felix Gonalez-Torres
Philip Guston
Christian Boltanski
Edward Hopper
Eric Fishcl

Assignment 6

Composition, which is the structure of a picture and separate from both subject and style. Composition is essentially an abstract design. It is the selection and organization of line, shape, value, texture, pattern, and color into an aesthetically pleasing arrangement embodying such principles of design as unity and variety, balance, emphasis and subordination, proportion and scale, and rhythm. The final desired effect of a composition is a sense of unit. It has been suggested that good composition supports the image so discreetly that it is never noticed.

1. Please read The Art of Composition. (Which I gave to you in class)

2. Find 5 photographs by William Eggleston that when you saw it, instantly you were drawn to it. Print these pictures and place it in your sketchbook. Next to your image write at one paragraphs in which you analyze the composition of your photograph. Try to determine what makes your selected image work.

The Art of Composition link: http://www.empken.com/tutorials/composition.pdf

William Eggleston's website: http://www.egglestontrust.com/

— (Click on Monographs to see images from his various published books.)

—Do a Google image search of his work.

Assignment 4

After watching several of the Art21 videos please write a paragraph (5 sentences) for each of the artists that was highlighted today. In this paragraph tell me why you think that artist was paired up with a particular theme.

Janine Antoni — Loss and Desire
Tim Hawkinson— Time
Kara Walker — Stories
James Turrell — Spirituality

This assignment should be done in your sketchbook and is due at the 1st sketchbook check.

Assignment 3

At this point you should have two subjects with each having 4 subcategories, these are the areas you will diagram for this assignment.

No particular format of diagram is required, but there are several formats that have been successful that might be used. See samples below. The content of the diagram must be a list of words, symbols, etc. that deal with the following –emotions, colors, objects, and /or memories that you associate with each of your subcategories. (feel free to add more)

You will have a total of 8 diagrams when this assignment is completed.


**Do not continue if you have not completed Assignment 2 (complete assignment 2 immediately)

Due: Thursday, June 10th, 2010

Examples of note taking / diagrammatic styles
1. Graphic Organizer----Utilizes spokes or arrows for subcategories that radiate from a central idea or concept.

2. Cause and Effect---Effective use of arrows that point out that one event led to another which led to another which led to another.

3. Formal Outline----This is the most common format using Roman numerals for general concepts and a series of letters and numbers to break the information into subcategories

4. Informal Outline---Concepts and explanations are clustered using boxes and bullets; looks like a formal outline minus the letters, numbers, and Roman numerals

5. Pictoral--- Notes dominated by sketches, charts, maps or graphs that are labeled and segmented.

Assignment 2

Now that you have participated in an idea generating exercise, I would like you follow a similar process to identify the subject matter of the art projects that you will make throughout this semester. For each project you will be given the structure (shell, skeleton) of a project and you will add its content from the ideas generated in this assignment.

-Content is defined as what a work of art is about, its subject matter as interpreted by a viewer (the people that look at a piece of artwork).

Part 1: Brainstorming
The Philosopher Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living”. How well do you know yourself? How much time do you devote to reasoning your likes and dislikes? Below you will find a list of questions. Answer 10 of the questions that interest you the most in your sketchbook.

Rather than giving brief responses, go in detail. Practice putting into words what irks, frightens, and moves you.

-What are five things that you love? Why do you love each?
-What are five things that you hate? Why do you hate each?
-What are two things that embarrass you? Explain how each embarrasses you?
-What are five things you like to do in your spare time? Why do you choose these things?
-What are three careers you would like to pursue? Explain why you would like to pursue each?
-What was a frightening experience in you life? Give some details
-What was a happy moment in your life? Give some details
-What was a lonely moment in your life? Give some details
-What was a time when you felt ashamed? Give some details
-What was a time that you felt guilty? Give some details
-What is one interest you are embarrassed to tell about? Give some details about your fears.
-What things do you read books about? How does this reading affect your life?
-What things are you afraid of? Give some details
-What things can you not live without? Why can you not live with out each?
-What is your kryptonite? Explain it
-What is your emblem? Explain it
-What do you want to be remembered for? Give some details
-What five things do you really care about? Why do you care for each?


Part 2: Selecting a subject matter
If you could choose two subjects that interest you, what would they be?
After completing part one of this assignment, go through your answers and identify two subjects/ideas to investigate for the rest of the semester.

Your subjects/ideas could have been uncovered from answering the questions in part one or you could have discovered a new subject that was not identified in the questions.

NOTE: Do not choose subjects that you are minimally interested in or have little emotional connection to. We will work with these ideas for the rest of the semester and it is important that your subject matters can hold your attention for the rest of the semester.

You can change your subjects if you loss interest in them but you will have to resubmit several assignments.

Write at least a paragraph (5 sentences) about each subject/idea in your sketchbook. Reflect on our in class idea generating exercise. Ideas are easily very broad, covering many things simultaneously. For this reason it is important to identify smaller categories that reference back to your original idea and or inspiration. Starting simply can make it easier to be clear about what you eventually want to communicate visually.

Identify at least four sub-categories for the two-subjects/ ideas that you have selected. Try to select sub-categories that are either broad or areas that you find to be the most compelling about your larger subjects/ ideas.

Example: Perhaps your subject is Nature and your sub-categories could be;
1.) The loss of nature
2.) The beauty of nature
3.) How you feel while in the wilderness
4.) Humans relationship to the natural world

or Perhaps your subject is Car and your subcategories could be;
1.)Adrenaline rush
2.)Fixing cars— knowing that I can fix something complex
3.)building a relationship with my dad through cars
4.)Sacrifice— the things I have to do to make/get my dream car

Assignment 1

Write a solid paragraph on the term “art” (at least5 sentences). I am not looking for a textbook definition, there are no wrong answers so really try to define what you personally believe “art” is.


DUE in your sketchbook: Monday, June 7th

Art Appreciation: Summer 2010 syllabus
Northwest Mississippi Community College— Desoto Center
Phone: (662) 342-1570 (Desoto Center Main Office)

ART 1113 62 M-F 10:15 to 12:20 in Room 100
Instructor: Catherine Blackwell Peña
E-mail: cpena1995@hotmail.com

Text: No text is required for this course. All reading material will either be available on our class blog or distributed in class. (Please consider the environment before frivolous printing articles from the blog.)

The link to our class blog is: http://nwmccart.blogspot.com/

Course Objectives / Core Abilities:
This course is designed to familiarize non-art and intro art students with the visual arts. Class assignments will introduce students to a variety of art that exists within the art world while provide an opportunity to experience art marking. Students enrolled should not expect to become great artists producing masterpieces but rather to become aware of art practices and how artists use these basic techniques to create.

Students will:
• Become familiarized with the fundamentals of art through the Visual Elements and Principles of Design
• Keep a sketchbook during the duration of the class
• Become aware of art in the world and its affect on their lives
• Develop a personal set of standards for judging art
• Write critiques and give oral critiques about works of art

General Core Outcome:
The Student will demonstrate the following:
• Solve visual art problems independently through analysis, synthesis and evaluation
• Demonstrate an understanding of how the communication of ideas relates to the media, techniques and processes used.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the formal elements of art and principles of design.
• Evaluate a range of subject matter, symbols, and concepts in relation to history and cultures.
• Have the ability to understand and discuss the social uses of art in contemporary American society, and its role in personal development.
• Have the ability to understand the importance of art as an element of diversity in a multicultural environment, and its role in the establishment of culture.
• Have the ability to research, prepare and present a written, critical evaluation of an artwork.

Grading Percentages:
35%- Assignments
35% - Class Projects
20% - Multiple Choice Tests
10%- Sketchbooks
Tests:
There will be two (2) multiple-choice tests. Each test will be worth 25 points. **Note: no exam or project grade will be dropped at the end of the semester.
Test 1: Friday, June 18th 2010
Test 2: Thursday, July 1st 2010

Multiple Choice tests requirements:
• #2 pencils – NO PENS!
• SCANTRON forms
• These tests are necessary for the establishment of the visual / critical vocabulary that is needed in order to communicate ideas effectively in this class, in assigned papers, and in the art world at large. (Both SCANTRON forms and pencils are available through the bookstore.)

*Note:
—If you are absent for a test without prior notice the test CANNOT be made up. The student will also be responsible for adequate documentation for the purpose of the absence.
—No make up exams will be given unless approved by the instructor prior to the date of the exam.

Class Project Requirements:
** Students will be informed how each project will be graded and the total number of points one can earn.
• Students are required to be in class and participate in class projects and critiques. Each projects is designed to help facilitate students’ understanding / appreciation of various techniques and the process of art making. This is not busy work. If you put forth the effort and complete all projects, you will do well.
• If a project is turned in late, the final project grade will be dropped one letter grade. Make prior arrangements if you know you will not be in attendance of the due date of a project.
• Students are responsible for acquiring necessary materials to complete each project. Some materials are required while others are based entirely on each student’s concept for their project.

Project 1 Due: Thursday, June 17th
Project 2 Due: Tuesday, June 29th
**********All projects are due at the beginning of class************************

Art Museum or Art Gallery attendance:
Students are required to attend one art exhibition at an appropriate gallery or museum sometime during the duration of the summer session. After attending the exhibition, students will describe their experience in at least 5 paragraphs in their sketchbook. In addition, students must attach evidence (i.e. postcard, business card, and/or photographs) of their attendance to a particular gallery or museum.
• Art Exhibition Assignment Due: Monday, June 28th

Free Art Exhibits (usually):
Memphis College of Art
Northwest Mississippi
University of Memphis
University of Mississippi
Rhodes College
Brooks Museum (discounted or free w/student I.D.)
The Dixon (discounted or free w/student I.D.)

* Other Galleries:
Delta Axis @ Marshall Arts or Powerhouse
David Lusk Gallery (Memphis, TN)
L. Ross Gallery (Memphis, TN)
Jay Etkin Gallery
Perry Nichole
Material
Marshall Arts
UrbanArt
Odessa

Excellent Art Calendars:
http://www.artsmemphis.org/event/cat/visual_art
Current issues of the Memphis Flyer

* Other exhibits can count towards your sketchbook entry but you must receive my approval for alternative venues. I will do my best to share upcoming exhibition information as I receive it throughout the semester.

Class Assignments: (all assignments must be completed in your sketchbooks unless otherwise directed)
Throughout the semester each student will focus on two subject matters (of their choice) that will be explored and developed through class projects. All assignments are designed to help you develop each projects conceptual content, formal qualities, and method of execution.

We will also focus on a variety of contemporary artists to gain a wider knowledge of their working methodologies, techniques and backgrounds. Each student will be responsible for reading any assigned articles and include written analysis when directed. For each artist focused on, students are required to find 5 images of the artists work to analyze. Each image should include a corresponding paragraph (5 sentences) that comments on why the piece was selected (i.e. its formal qualities or it’s conceptual content).

Sketchbooks:
All students are required to have a spiral or hardbound 8 1/2 x 11 sketchbook with blank pages no later than Monday, June 7th 2010. Sketchbooks are to be used for class assignments and the addition of 5 complete pages per week of anything that interests you (i.e. artwork, pictures, poems, quotes, lyrics, collages, and/ or personal reflections). Sketchbooks are to be used as a tool for creative conceptual development thus it is important that lecture notes be taken in another notebook. During sketchbook checks I will look for completed assignments and the quantity of additional pages. The content of these pages is up to the student, but you must have 5 pages per week totaling 20 pages for the semester.

***Note: If you do not have your sketchbook or are absent on the day sketchbooks are collected, 1 point will be deducted from each category graded.


Attendance Policy:
Attendance is mandatory. We have 1 month to cover approximately forty thousand years of human artistic endeavor and to make our own investigations into artistic practice, criticism, and communication. Attendance will be called at the beginning of every class. If you come in late, it is up to you to come to me after class to mark you present. Three (3) unexcused absences will result in a failing grade for the semester. This does not include absences with a doctor’s excuse.

Two (2) unexcused absences will result in a lowering of one letter grade of the final semester grade.

Other Class Policies:
• Turn cell phones and pagers off or on silent mode. If electronic devices become a distraction to the other students or instructor, you will be asked to leave class and will be counted absent.
• Do not bring children to class. This is NWCC policy.
• Do not cut out of class early. This will result in an unexcused absence for the day.
• Do not ask for special treatment. If you have legitimate special needs, let me know.
• Do not ask me to change my schedule for any reason.
• Treat fellow students and instructor with respect.
• You are responsible for your space in this classroom, keep it clean and dispose of any trash you produce.
• Do not disrupt class. This includes but is not limited to: sleeping, talking out of turn, outburst, coming and going in and out of class, coming in late, etc.
• Do not discuss topics that are not pertinent to this class.
• If you have already planned to have absences (i.e. vacations, weddings) prior to taking this class, please inform me of these dates ASAP. Such absences are not excused. I will do my best to keep you updated to help you from falling to far behind.

The instructor reserves the right to modify this syllabus and will notify the students in a timely manner.

MATERIAL LIST:
A significant part of the class is making art objects, therefore materials and supplies are essential and required. I’ll notify you ahead of time of the supplies we’ll use for each project.

MATERIALS you will need after Monday June 7th
* 8” x 10” Sketchbook (either a bound or spiral sketchbook will work)
*Writing utensils (i.e. Graphite drawing pencils, pens, markers, color pencils)
*Scissors
*Glue sticks or tape
*Art Gum Eraser (only if you plan on using graphite pencils)

During the semester you will be required to have access to a digital or 35mm camera. You may use a camera phone but you must be able to have the pictures printed at a local photo lab. PLEASE do not buy a camera for this course unless you do not have the option of borrowing one from a friend or family member.

OTHER SUPPLIES WILL BE NEEDED…ADVANCE NOTICE WILL BE GIVEN