VSA1002 Introduction to Contemporary Art Practice

Contents

• Staffing
• Rationale
• Synopsis
• Objectives
• Topics
• Texts
• Reference materials
• Student workload
• Assessment details
• Graduate qualities and skills
• Important assessment information
• Assessment notes
• Other requirements
• Production date
• PDF version

STAFFING

RATIONALE

This course is concerned with building a practical foundation in all five studio areas. By exploring a variety of methods and materials students will be encouraged to develop their technical, conceptual and observational skills. NOTE: Arts Management is the only area available to External students.

SYNOPSIS

This course is concerned with building a practical foundation in all five visual arts studio areas. By exploring a variety of methods and materials students will be encouraged to develop their technical, conceptual and observational skills. Studio practice will be supplemented with project work which will be undertaken in the two-dimensional disciplines of Drawing, Painting and Printmaking and in the three-dimensional disciplines of Ceramics, and Spatial Construction. Studio practice will be reinforced by lectures and discussion on contemporary arts/crafts practice, analysing the work of established professionals in order to increase student insight into concepts expressed visually in all aspects of studio practice. This will be underpinned by history and theory lectures in associated visual arts courses. NOTE: Arts Management is the only area available to External students.

OBJECTIVES

On completion of this course students will be able to demonstrate:

1.

an understanding of materials and how to manipulate them through practice and experimentation in each of the two- and three-dimensional areas offered;

2.

an ability to apply principles of design to their two- and three-dimensional product;

3.

the ability to see things analytically, and record or exhibit them appropriately;

4.

the ability to use materials and techniques to conceptually convey ideas;

5.

skills in the correct, safe handling of materials and processes in each workshop discipline;

6.

demonstrate management, planning and organisation skills, including responsible attitudes and work habits required for continuing studio practice;

7.

an ability to understand curatorial issues and concepts;

8.

a responsibility for studio space including cleaning of work areas and respect for equipment;

9.

written communication skills appropriate to the task of producing a journal and project folio;

10.

oral communication skills by providing a rationale for their project.

TOPICS

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

(To be advised by the lecturer in each area)

REFERENCE MATERIALS

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

Art and Australia,

Art in America,

Art International,

ArtForum,

Ceramics: art and perception,

Object,

Arnheim, R 1954, Art and visual perception: a psychology of the creative eye, University of California Press, Los Angeles.
(Also revised edition 1974)

Colchester, C 1993, The new textiles: trends and traditions, Thames & Hudson, London.

Constantine, M & Larsen, J 1981, The art fabric: mainstream, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York.

Gablik, S 1984, Has modernism failed?, Thames & Hudson, London.

Godfrey, T 1990, Drawing today: draughtsmen in the eighties, Universe Books, New York.

Herbert, R L (ed) 2000, Modern artists on art, 2nd edn, Dover, New York.

Jung, C G 1978, Man and his symbols, Pan Books, London.

Krauss, R 1981, Passages in modern sculpture, MIT Press, Cambridge, MA.

Nelson, G C 1971, Ceramics: a potter's handbook, 3rd edn, Holt, Rinehart & Winston, New York.

Pogany, W 1996, The art of drawing, Madison Books, Lanham.

Preble, D, Preble, S & Frank, P 1999, Artforms, 6th edn, Longman, New York.

Print Council of Australia Imprint,
(Quarterly Journal - no longer subscribed since 2006)

Saff, D & Sacilotto, D 1978, Printmaking: history and process, Holt, Rinehart & Winston, New York.

Simpson, I 1987, The encyclopedia of drawing techniques, Headline Book Publishing, London.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

NOTES

1.

Assessment Description: Gallery and Museum Comparison 1000 Words. Assessment is due during week 8 of the semester and students will be advised of the due date. This assessment item is aligned with all Objectives.

2.

Assessment is due during week 16 of the semester and students will be advised of the due date. This assessment item is aligned with all Objectives.

3.

Assessment Description: Research and visit 6 galleries. Make short written notes about the art shown, who their target audience might be and how they are funded. 500 words. Due week 16 of the semester. Please note all referencing must be in the Oxford referencing system and all images used must be in colour. This assessment item is aligned with all Objectives.

GRADUATE QUALITIES AND SKILLS

Elements of the following USQ Graduate Skills are associated with the successful completion of this course.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   There are no attendance requirements for this external course. However, it is the student's responsibility to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   To successfully complete an individual assessment item, a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks or a grade of at least C-. This statement must be read in conjunction with Statement 4 below.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without extenuating circumstances and without prior approval, then a penalty of a maximum of 5% of the assigned mark may apply for each working day late, up to a maximum of 10 working days, at which time a mark of zero can be recorded for that assignment.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade, a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
6. Examination information:
   There is no exam for this course.
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   Given the details under (6) above, there are no deferred exams for this course. However, if any deferred/makeup work is granted, it would have to be submitted by a date set by the examiner.
8. University Regulations:
   Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6 Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm

ASSESSMENT NOTES

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

1. All assignments must be fully and correctly documented.

This version produced 17 May 2011.