Sculpture II: Fast, Cheap and Out of Control

The University of Mary Washington ARTS 331: Sculpture II Semester: Spring 2008 Professor: Carole Garmon Office: DuPont 320 Extension: 2036  cgarmon at umw.edu Office Hours: MW 4-5:00 pm Tuesday 10:30-12:00 noon Final exam: Monday, April 28, 3:30-6:00pm Fridays: by appointment / Studio maintenance ARTS 332: Sculpture II The goals of this course are to encourage and guide development of individual creative processes and sculptural works through extensive creative inquiry. The course is designed to facilitate the development of ideas that contribute to the artist’s content and decision-making processes, as well as the development of applied skills needed to manifest these ideas. Students are required to maintain an aggressive studio regimen focused on the development of personal aesthetic and conceptual identity. Students will develop self-initiated projects that demonstrate advanced thinking and technical abilities. Students are expected to execute work of the highest level of craftsmanship and conceptual consideration. All assignments are informed by the context of twentieth and twenty-first century art and are supplemented through lectures, videos and field trips. Historical traditions and contemporary issues will be addressed. The course is designated SI and WI and will require each student to give a well-developed oral and written presentation on a contemporary artist. Other writing and speaking assignments will assist in the understanding of the professional art world beyond the university setting. Students are required to visit the Speaking Center and the Writing Center at least once during the preparation of the formal presentation. A calendar will be provided with important dates for the presentation. The course is designed as follows: 1. Discussion on thematic issues in student work. Two- week assignment.
2. Review of first large-scale work. First draft of writing assignment. Sketchbook/journal. Writing and speaking assignments. 3. Review of second large-scale work. Writing and speaking assignments. 4. Final presentation. Final exam. Sketchbook/journal. 5. Sculpture Exhibition at Randolph-Macon College, Mar. 17-31 All work must be removed after grading. Failure to do so will result in a lower grade. Avoid cliché, symbolism, illustration, and direct narration when addressing assignments in this course. Embrace metaphor, content, experimentation, risk-taking, and wonderment. Required Material: No. 2 pencil, bring to every class Plastic bucket and bowls Scissors 3-ring binder or sketchbook Hot glue gun and sticks Wood glue Exacto knife and utility knife Drill Bits Wood (as needed) Sheet rock screws Paint brush Vaseline Rubber gloves Dust mask Other materials will be employed as needed and are subject to individual problem solving. To keep costs down, most assignments are open to new and interpretive uses of common materials.

Course Objectives: To develop: a deeper understanding of techniques and how they are applied to various materials. a deeper understanding of the possibilities and limitations of specific materials and physical and psychological space
aesthetic concern of historical and contemporary issues in sculpture personal style through the implementation of perceptual and imaginative approaches to art making a vocabulary and understanding of sculpture and extended media. personal insight, invention, discovery and innovative expression Mid Semester and Final Requirements: All assignments from each half of the semester must be completed. Sketchbooks will be evaluated. Students must attend final exam to pass the course. See me if an emergency prevents attendance. Methods: A series of assignments/problems will be given to address specific aspects of sculpture. They will involve lectures, demonstrations and periodic group discussions. Critiques are scheduled and held on a regular basis. All students are required to attend critiques. Any late work will result in a lower grade. Late work will not be critiqued. Course requirements: Students must come prepared to work on assignments and utilize scheduled studio time in an efficient manner. Assignments will be completed on assigned dates. Class participation. Critiques are essential as they provide critical analysis and are instrumental in the development of the artist. Your level and quality of participation in both class dissuasion and critiques impacts the final grade. Sketchbook activity must reveal a deep level of inquiry. Any readings or written assignments are to be completed on assigned dates. Attendance is stressed as the class is composed of demonstrations, videos, and lectures to assist in the both technical and conceptual development. Grading: reflects understanding and creative implementation of problems and assignments as demonstrated by student work. This includes the extent of creative investigation. Criteria for grading and percentages are as follows: Sculptures and sketchbooks 50% Writing and speaking (includes critique and group discussion) 20% Formal presentation and exhibition 20% Class participation and attendance 10% A Work is characterized by outstanding achievement and understanding of critical analysis as reflected in solutions to assignments, technical competence and the critique process. Student must display preparedness and efficient dedication to scheduled studio time. Adherence to attendance policy. B Work is characterized by basic competence and understanding of critical analysis as reflected in solutions to assignments, technical competence and the critique process. Student must display preparedness and dedication to scheduled studio time. Adherence to attendance policy. C Work is characterized by distinct competence and understanding of critical analysis as reflected in solutions to assignments, technical competence and the critique process. Student must display adequate preparedness and dedication to scheduled studio time. Adherence to attendance policy. D Work is characterized by minimal effort and success. Lowest passing grade. Invention and discovery fuel the creative process. Sculpture offers a variety of avenues to explore; it also presents problems associated with real space and real time. Merely following the criteria set forth in assignment does not guarantee an “A”. One must understand the value of: Self-criticism (questioning decisions in the creative and technical processes)
Editing and reworking The ability to risk failure through extreme effort and desire and not from lack of commitment to work. Safety: be aware that there are potential hazards regarding the work in this course. While I conduct thorough demonstrations and demand a safe and professional approach to all studio tools and machinery, it is ultimately up to each student to be prudent and diligent. It is my desire to keep the studio open after scheduled course usage so that work can be completed in a timely manner. This can only happen if students exercise the most careful adherence to studio policies. Students working in the studio outside of scheduled courses take full responsibility. It is advised that students have health insurance that covers injuries and sickness beyond the UMW Health Center. Any costs related to injuries occurring in the studio are the student’s responsibility. Honor Code: All work and written assignments produced by each student in the course is expressly his/her own and is completed according to the requirements for the specific assignment. Melchers 119 is open to all students enrolled in sculpture courses. Tools and materials are to be used in the studio and should not be removed without instructor approval. Infringements of this policy will be referred to the Honor Council. Disability Services: The Office of Disability Services has been designated by the University as the primary office to guide, counsel, and assist students with disabilities. If you receive services through their office and require accommodations for this class, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible to discuss your approved accommodation needs. Bring your accommodation letter with you to the appointment. I will hold any information you share with me in confidence unless you give me permission to do otherwise. Refer to the UMW Directory and the UMW Academic Catalogue for more information. Studio Policies 1. Attendance is taken at the beginning of class and you are expected to arrive on time and remain until instructor dismisses the class. You are permitted three absences. Any further absences will lower your final grade by 1/3 of a grade, example: if the final grade is a B, a fourth absence will result in a B-, a fifth absence will result in a C+, and a sixth in a C, and so on. Three tardies or leaving class before the class is dismissed equal one absence. Missing a significant portion of a class will result in an absence. 2. Do not miss a critique; these are your exam dates and require total participation. Show up with your work and be prepared to think, ask, answer questions, and offer analytical criticism. Again, late work will not be critiqued and results in a lower grade. See Methods heading in syllabus. 3. UMW does not charge the exorbitant art fees of most universities. While I try to keep costs to a minimum, you are responsible for purchasing any materials you need for the class beyond the provided tools and machinery. Please be responsible and adhere to rules and safety demos concerning the studio. 4. The gathering of materials will be done outside of schedule studio time. There is no substitute for time spent in the studio with peers and the instructor. 5. Do not remove any tools or other materials belonging to the sculpture studio. This is an Honor Code Violation. See Honor Code heading in syllabus. 6. The course is demanding and moves quickly to cover the basics of Sculpture I. If you utilize your time efficiently, you may not have to expend large amounts of time outside of class. The key is good work habits. 7. Remove all work after grading. 8. Maintain your work area in a clean manner. Do not leave a mess for other classes. Any violators are subject to losing studio privileges. 9. General cleanups require all students to participate. Failure to do so will negatively affect the final grade. 10. You will be instructed on the proper and safe way to operate tools and machinery. Safety is a must, seek assistance when in doubt. 11. Do not cut multiple pieces of wood at once. Do not cut or drill anything other than wood without instructor input. 12. No warped or pressure treated wood. No MDF board. 13. No cell phones. 14. No food. Do not place any drinks around the machines or their surface. 15. Do not spray paint in the studio. 16. Wear casual clothing and close-toed shoes. Bring an old long sleeved shirt for protection.