Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2021 - CA 161 D200

Introductory Studio in Visual Art II (3)

Class Number: 8219

Delivery Method: Remote

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 11 – Apr 16, 2021: Tue, Thu, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    CA (or FPA) 160.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

A continuation of the work begun in CA (or FPA) 160, with emphasis on particular problems in the visual arts worked through a series of projects, culminating in the Campus Project, a site-specific public work designed, built and installed at the end of the term. Some research is required. A course materials fee is required. May be of particular interest to students in other departments. Students with credit for FPA 161 may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course addresses a broad range of questions concerning the relation between context and composition within visual art projects. Students are expected to increase their facilities and resourcefulness with traditional and non-traditional artistic media. Group discussion and engaged studio practice will enable students to continue to expand their approach to solving formal and conceptual challenges in the production of visual art. Students will develop their knowledge of the discourse of contemporary art and its varied histories, scope and directions.  It is expected that students will increasingly acquire a vocabulary with which to articulate these issues in oral and written form. A committed and self-challenging approach is expected and encouraged.
 Students in CA 161 will work on assigned projects and will be encouraged to experiment freely within the parameters of the assignments. Reports on contemporary artists, gallery visits, reading assignments, and visiting artist lectures will be assigned. This course is designed for students who have completed CA 160.

Grading

  • Class Projects 60%
  • Artist Presentation 10%
  • Sited Art Report 10%
  • Sketchbook Documentation 10%
  • Participation 10%

NOTES:

CLASS PROJECTS:

Each student enters the class with different conceptual abilities and skill levels; thus grades are based on evidence of personal development and achievement of technical, formal and conceptual goals particular to each project and the scale of ambition. If a student attempts challenging or risky projects in a thoughtful manner yet does not achieve what was intended though the student  learns from that experience, then that is a useful learning process and will be acknowledged in the final grade. Your personal engagement and commitment, your openness to explore, and your work ethic will be assessed. Students will be required to document their work in anticipation of class critiques.

Projects are expected to be ambitious and challenging while providing opportunity to demonstrate each student's interests and sensibilities.

ARTIST PRESENTATION:

Students will be responsible for one presentation that will occur at some point during the semester. Drawing from a supplied list of artists, students will be expected to give a presentation sharing their research concerning the chosen artist’s work. By sharing in this process with the class, students help one another build a greater knowledge of the field of contemporary art. The presentation should include reference to representative works by the chosen artist, a situating of the artists’ work at significant historical and cultural junctures and an articulation of the place of this work amongst the artists’ peers. Each presentation should consider the non-artistic phenomena informing the work of the chosen artists’.

SITED ART REPORT:
Students will produce one report concerning a sited work of art that meaningfully engages the context in which it exists. This may be a temporary work located in a gallery or a public art work situated outside. This report should cover a description of both the site and the artwork with a focus on the critical strategies deployed through with site and work are mutually articulated. 

SKETCHBOOK DOCUMENTATION:
Students must utilize a sketchbook to track their thinking throughout the semester. This book will index your engagement with the required readings and record the planning process for your various studio projects. 

PARTICIPATION:

The effectiveness of this course depends on each student's contribution through active participation in all aspects of the course. One of the obvious areas is through the critiques where we engage with the projects at hand, and discuss what has been made. Regular progress is expected on all work developed for this course. Sustained engagement outside of scheduled classroom time is required. Full attention is required during meetings and critiques. You are expected to be on time and engaged for every class.

An organized presentation of work for individual meetings and group critiquess is expected. Students are required to show their progress towards completion of their projects through the regular presentation of new work, key aspects of research and ability to discuss issues, problems, and/or questions related to their practice.

Thought, serious engagement, critical thinking and sensitivity regarding other students and their work are crucial.

REQUIREMENTS:

Special Notes on the Online Delivery of the class in Spring 2021

Teaching and studying studio art remotely is a new situation, we hope to focus on the positive potentials of this temporary, configuration. We realize there will be individual situations that present challenges or differences. We are dedicated to being flexible when needed, and we imagine students will take on the same ethos. The class time will be structured around in class presentations, discussions, workshops and with regular breaks for working on assigned studio projects in class time. Break out groups with class mates and one on one sessions with faculty and teaching assistants will also form part of the structure.

The minimal technology requirements for successfully completing this course are: · a stable internet connection; · video camera for online meetings; · a laptop or desktop computer no older than five years old; This course will also require access to the following software: · Zoom (Free) This course recommends you access the following software as you may find it useful in some projects. · Adobe Suite (currently available for free use) Note that CA 161 course components will be held synchronously, please be available at the times listed.

Students are encouraged to become familiar with SCA's more technical guidelines and suggestions for required computing resources http://www.sfu.ca/content/sfu/sca/events---news/news/computer-help--sca-online-.html

If this course is a requirement to your degree and you are unable to meet one or more of the technology or synchronous time frame requirements, please contact the course instructor for possible alternative arrangements.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Students are expected to have access to general materials and tools necessary for the production of works of art. There is no expectation that these will be specialized artistic materials though they should be suitable to finish a project to an elevated level. Resourcefulness and ingenuity in terms of sourcing and using materials are important.

Assigned readings will be provided in anticipation of class discussions. Individual recommendations of readings and other resources will be determined on a student to student basis

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN SPRING 2021

Teaching at SFU in spring 2021 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).