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Today's Class- Despite yet another Monday with threats of winter weather, the real snow never came and both sections met. We looked at the Symbolic Self Portraits and a few late arriving Symbolic Language projects. After the break, I spent a little more time talking about collaborative artistic processes, showing examples from my own experience (like the one above), and discussing how it relates to the current project introduced last week. I also talked a little bit about the process of developing an idea over time to make it better, again showing a recent example of my own. Work collected last week was returned, graded.
How to make this up- All the details regarding this Synthesis Project can be found on last week's posting. The last day for the Student Art Show (your starting point for this project) is Tuesday, March 26th, so you must see it by then.
Homework- The Synthesis Project, combining aspects of two or more artworks from the student show, is due at the beginning of class on April 8, 2013. I encourage students to bring their progress in next week to discuss their ideas and receive some feedback before the week that it's due.
Those who still owe either of the first two projects should complete them as soon as possible to receive partial credit.
Bring in 3 print ads (from magazines or newspapers) each advertising a different type of product or service. Choose ads where you specifically like the approach to selling the product.
For next class 4/1/13- We will have a discussion of semiotics and talk about art being used to influence or change points of view. Bring your sketchbook, pencil and eraser, markers, and the three advertisements.
Today's Class- Today we had a critique of the first project of the semester, the Symbolic Language project. We also spent a little time reviewing the next project, the Symbolic Self Portrait, and ended the class in the gallery downstairs visiting the Student Art Show, which will be the basis for our third project.
How to make this up- Artists are often influenced by other art they see, including subjects, styles, and mediums. The above artwork is a piece of mine from several years ago in which I visually build a tower of all the influences, both in and outside of fine art, which influenced the art I have made and still make today. The process of combining influences from other artists is known as Synthesis.
You won't be doing something quite so large, but instead producing an artwork influenced by two or more artworks from other artists. The class visited the Annual Student Art Show in the James Howe Gallery, down on the 1st floor of Vaughn-Eames. The show is all art from current Kean students, representing many of the classes taught here. You need to select two pieces, made by two different students and of two different mediums (such as metals and painting, ceramics and drawing, etc). You are to use aspects of each piece to create a new artwork. I don't want you to just copy bits directly from two works, but to look for aspects to bring together. You may get an idea for a subject, use of a medium, style of depiction, etc. Your new piece should be unique, not something either of your chosen artists would have done on their own, or something you would have done yourself without borrowing those elements. Most will choose to do paintings on your 18" x 24" paper, but you may choose any medium that relates to at least one of your chosen influences, including sculpture. If you are not sure, talk to me about it in class or by e-mail in between.
Most students in each section were there today and saw the show as part of the class. If you missed that, the last day for the Student Art Show (your starting point for this project) is Tuesday, March 26th (11am to 4pm I believe), so you must see it by then.
Homework- The Symbolic Self Portrait (see 3/4/13 on this blog), making use of at least 6 of the personal symbolic objects drawn in your sketchbook last month, is due at the beginning of class on March 25, 2013.
The Synthesis Project, combining aspects of two or more artworks from the student show, is due at the beginning of class on April 8, 2013. I encourage students to bring their progress in next week to discuss their ideas and receive some feedback before the week that it's due.
Those who still owe the Symbolic Language project should try to complete it as soon as possible to receive partial credit.
For next class 3/25/13- We will have a group critique of the Symbolic Self Portraits and any late arriving language projects. We will also go over the details of the Synthesis project again in the classroom and discuss examples of artistic collaborations. No art materials will be required for the class meeting.
Today's Class- Today we addressed the use of symbolism in art, specifically how recognizable images can be used to represent other concepts. We looked at a slightly edited (for time) film from Alfred Hitchcock, "Spellbound" (noting the protagonist's reaction to things he sees and the symbolism of the whole Salvador Dali created nightmare sequence), and at a few examples of historical art. After that, I introduced our next graded project of the semester, a symbolic self portrait. I also reviewed the symbolic language project from last week, for those who had missed class or needed further clarification. Remaining class time was spent working on ideas for one of the two projects.
How to make this up- A few weeks ago I assigned the class to do a group of 10 pencil sketches of personal symbols, objects that you own and that are strongly associated with you, by yourself or others. For this graded assignment, you are to take at least 6 of those (you can use all 10 if you want) and rework them into a new full size drawing. Rather than just reproducing the objects by themselves, or arranged in a pile like a typical still life, you are to show the objects in a more creative context. Above are two examples from a previous semester. In the top drawing, the student imagines herself as a posable fashion doll, and the symbols as part of a boxed set of accessories. For the bottom drawing, the student put her symbols on and around a human heart. Without copying either one of these, try to come up with a similarly creative approach. Do the drawing in pencil on a sheet of your 18" x 24" paper. In grading these I'll be looking at the drawings of the individual objects, the overall composition, and your idea for a context to show the symbols in.
Homework- This Symbolic Self Portrait Graded project is due at the beginning of class on March 25, 2013. The Symbolic Language Graded project that we started last week will be due at the beginning of class on March 18, 2013.
***Spring Break No Class March 11, 2013***
For Next Class 3/18/13- We will critique the Symbolic Language projects, which I will collect to grade later. I expect that we will also visit the Annual Fine Arts Student Exhibition down in the James Howe Gallery on the 1st floor. It's always a good idea to bring your sketchbook, pencil, and eraser with you. We are not going to be starting any new projects that day, so you won't need the 18" x 24" pad unless you want some feedback on the self portrait piece.
