ART 2701 Sculpture 1
ART 3768 Sculpture: Materials and Methods
INSTRUCTOR: Christy Gast
Fall 2011, Wednesdays 8am-12:50 pm, Classes and critiques will meet in room 5112
New World School of the Arts
Christy Gast
Lecturer, Sculpture
Email: cgast@mdc.edu
Class website: http://newworldsculpture.blogspot.com/
ATTENDANCE POLICY
In order to maximize your learning experience, the faculty and Dean have endorsed a divisional attendance policy. The attendance requirements are as follows:
1. The attendance policy permits two [2] absences per class per term, when classes meet twice a week, and one [1] absence per class per term, when classes meet once a week. Each additional absence will lower your final grades one letter.
2. Tardies exceeding ten [10] minutes will be considered a full absence for the day.
3. Absences due to serious circumstances [i.e. hospital stay, death in the family] must be legitimately documented and approved by the Dean. It is the student’s responsibility to see his/her professor to make up any requested work due to an absence. It is also the student’s responsibility to make sure that the instructor documents your attendance if you arrive within a 10 minutes time frame.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Art 2701C: Sculpture 1- An introduction to sculpting techniques and materials.
Art 3711C: Sculpture: Materials and Methods- Problems in sculptural form and composition. Work in plaster, clay, metal and other materials.
EXPECTATIONS
Students are expected to come to class on time and prepared to work in the studio. Students who leave class to get materials they need for their projects will be counted as "absent." Reading assignments will be handed out the day prior to discussion in class. I will keep track of each student's participation in classroom discussions and critiques as well as attendance. Just showing up is not enough; you must be present in mind as well as body.
House rules:
1) Be on time.
2) No phones, iPods, sleeping, or disruptive behavior.
3) Be responsible; clean up after yourself. This is a community studio.
4) Work safely.
PROJECTS
Students will complete four projects throughout the semester. The projects are designed so that students may gain proficiency working in various sculptural media while furthering their individual creative research. Students enrolled in Sculpture 1 must complete the projects as assigned. Students enrolled in Materials & Methods may propose alternate projects following the same timeline and using the same materials IF they have both previously taken Sculpture 1 AND are already proficient with the tools and methods used in the assignments. Students who meet the above criteria and choose to propose alternate projects must prepare sketches and a project timeline, and meet with the instructor individually during class time to discuss their proposal, which may or may not be accepted. Students enrolled in Materials & Methods who have already taken Sculpture 1 but would like to complete the projects as assigned rather than proposing their own may do so.
GRADING Your projects will be evaluated on the following criteria:
1. DESIGN: the visual and conceptual aspects of the work
• Originality, inventiveness, innovation
• Concept; level of complexity; effectiveness of solutions, creative problem solving
• Appropriate use of chosen materials
• Composition/form
• Marriage of concept and form
2. TECHNIQUE: the physical aspect of the work
• Quality of construction
• Effective use of materials and techniques; mastery and appropriate use of techniques
• Attention to details; finishing touches; purposeful finish
A = Excellent work, mastered technical skills and conceptual ideas
B = Above average, skilful use of materials combined with a good concept
C = Average, competent execution of craftsmanship and ideas with no outstanding qualities.
D = Below average, poor execution of ideas with little or no attention to detail.
F = Work is deficient in all areas.
o Work that is turned in late will receive one full grade lower than is deserved, due to failure to complete assignments on time.
o Throughout the semester, all work can be improved upon using the suggestions given in critiques.
o Critiques are extremely important for everyone in the class. Active participation is essential.
SAFETY INFORMATION
Students in this course will work in the shop using a variety of power and handheld tools, which may cause injury. Students should use the shop only after having received an orientation in the use of such equipment, when supervised by faculty or shop personnel. Other students cannot train you on the use of the machinery. Students or other persons not enrolled in this course will not be allowed to use the equipment. You must wear enclosed shoes at all times when working in the studio, and you must wear leather shoes when using the welding or metal cutting equipment. If coming to class in proper footwear is a problem, bring shoes to keep in the storage area, because you will not be allowed to work without proper footwear. Also, proper eye, hand, ear and face protection must be worn when appropriate.
HONOR CODE
All aspects of the Miami Dade County College Honor Code Policy will be followed and enforced. All artwork must be original and created in this class during this term.
DISABILITIES
Reasonable accommodation will be made for those with documented disabilities.
SCHEDULE
WEEK 1
Wednesday 8/24 Intro to course
Introduce 1st Project: Textiles (Self Portrait)
Sewing & textile demo, practice sewing
Student Presentation
WEEK 2
Wednesday 8/31 Work day
Project sketches due (mini critique)
WEEK 3
Wednesday 9/7 Work day
Student Presentation
WEEK 4
Wednesday 9/14 Work Day
Student Presentation
Critique Textile (Self Portrait) project
Introduce 2nd project: Wood (Conjoined Structures)
WEEK 5
Wednesday 9/21 Wood Shop demo
Sketches due (mini critique)
Work Day
Student Presentation
WEEK 7
Wednesday 8/28 Work Day
Student Presentation
WEEK 8
Wednesday 10/5 Critique Wood (Conjoined Structures)
Introduce 3rd project: Body Bridge
Metal working demo
WEEK 9
Wednesday 10/12 Work Day
Sketches due (mini critique)
Student Presentation
WEEK 10
Wednesday 10/19 Work Day
Student Presentation
WEEK 11
Wednesday 10/26 Work Day
Student Presentation
WEEK 12
Wednesday 11/9 Critique 3rd Project: Body Bridge
Intro to final project: Multiples
Intro to mold making: Press molds
Work Day
WEEK 13
Wednesday 11/16 Work Day
Sketches Due (mini critique)
Student Presentation
WEEK 14
Wednesday 11/23 Work Day
Student Presentation
WEEK 15
Wednesday 11/30 Work Day
Student Presentation
FINAL CRITIQUE: Date TBD
