Monday, August 31, 2009

Art 6933C, Course Description:

Research supporting Studio Practice

Fall 2009/Instructor: Nan Smith, Professor, Office: FAC, Rm. B14, Phone: 273-3083, e-mail: nan@ufl.edu

Office Hours for this semester are Wednesdays 2:00-3:00 pm and by appointment

Group seminar meeting times Wednesdays Periods E1-E3, FAC B14, Mondays (seminar critiques and individual meetings 6-8 and E1-E3 arranged)

Studio Practice

This seminar focuses on studio development resulting in a new body visual art. The art work produced must be supported by a self-selected research project that informs the work aesthetically, technically or conceptually.

The supporting research project entails in-depth research in one area only. The focus of the research project should be in the area that the researcher feels will most benefit his/her artistic evolution and studio practice; aesthetic, technical or conceptual.

The art work will be evaluated in mid-term and final group critiques during which finished fired and formally presented art is required. It is expected that the visual art created will be made for this class exclusively. Please note that the projects made for this class may NOT be submitted to any other class for credit unless both faculty, have given prior approval. Failure to follow this rule will be considered academic dishonesty.

Research supporting Studio Practice

Most visual artists gather information, explore new ideas, select and solve technical problems to further develop ideas, perspectives and subsequently new art work. The exciting activities involved in research and development are found intermeshed in other disciplines. For example, a research scientist might gather data after experimenting with a method; a medical research doctor might prove reliability through clinical trials, in industry and engineer might research a design option and develop a product based on a design innovation.

Research is defined as to investigate, to study, explore, examine, and inquire. A well-defined, 1 page, typed research proposal in hard copy is due on Wednesday September 3rd.

Individual meetings will then be scheduled with the instructor to discuss the proposed research; its focus and development. If the project lacks depth or needs adjusting the parameters will be further defined through mutual brainstorming. All research proposals must have final approval of the instructor.

An illustrated research report (format discussion follows) will be presented during the seminar as per the calendar schedule. In progress research meetings with the instructor will be scheduled throughout the semester.

The Supporting Research Project

The supporting research project can take form as:

(1)Library research, i.e. Reading an entire book, or reading books on one topic. Topics might include: Aesthetics, Craft Theory, and Design as related to Ceramics, Image and Idea, Creative Visualization (see suggested bibliography for ideas)...

(2)In Studio Research, i.e. research reading and experimentation to evolve a needed new studio technique or process in forming, testing new surfaces/glazes/image making techniques,

(3)Visual research of historical and or contemporary art or artists and related reading (along with interviews if the artist is living) about on them and their techniques.

The research progress is to be well documented through notes, a diary, physical examples. Keep a record of where you started, your progress and how the research developed. This process and in-progress results and ideas will be discussed during the semester in required meetings (listed on calendar) with the instructor.

The final results/examples/conclusions and ideas are to be presented to the seminar group in the final report. The final report should teach your peers about the aesthetic, technical or conceptual findings and how they have changed and informed your new art work. You will be asked to revise your artist statement as a result of this evolution. A new or updated version of your artist statement is required when you give your research presentation. Please bring a hard copy to class and e-mail a copy to the instructor.

The Research Report/Presentation ...

The research report/presentation is to be a 20-30 minutes in length. The format selected should present the research project to its best advantage and should be educationally vital and informative. Presentations can be supported by written research data and a research handout.

The research presentation can take one of the following format options:

Physical demonstration (15 minutes)

Lecture

PowerPoint (visual and text presentation, using video as an option)

Oral Report

Combination of any of the above

Suggested Bibliography:

The following books are on reserve in the FAA Library under the course number. Each book was recommended by the reviewer in Ceramics Monthly. Glen Brown highly recommends reading Thinking through Craft.

Thinking Through Craft – author Glenn Adamson -- AFA Library N8510 .A33 2007

Object and Meaning: New Perspectives on Art, author Fariello M. Anna – AFA Library NK 25 .F37 2004

The Culture of Craft, author Peter dormer (I think we may have this one) -- AFA Library TT145 .C84 1996

Course Goals:

(1)Development of studio practice as expressed through a new body of art work.

(2) Practical experience devising a research plan and executing it.

(3) Experience defining a focused research theme to support artistic evolution..

(4) Practical experience creating a research presentation.

Attendance:

Roll will be taken at the beginning of each class session. A student will be considered late if he/she arrives after 10 minutes of the listed start time for the course. The class will meet as a group regularly on Wednesday evenings. Mid-term and final critique times will be arranged on Mondays; period 6-8 or E1-E3 and on Wednesdays during regular meeting times E1-E, room B14.

As students at the professional/graduate level your regular attendance is expected for all group sessions - on Wednesday evenings and for mid-term and final group critiques. Individual meetings with the instructor are required and will be arranged on a calendar for mutual convenience during Monday periods 6-8, E1-3 or Wednesday E1-3. Everyone’s time is valuable and these days at a premium. Please come prepared and be on time for all individual meetings with the instructor. Please have a legitimate excuse and inform the instructor at least one day in advance by e-mail or telephone if you cannot make a meeting.

More than one absence on a Wednesday or for a group critique will result on a grade drop. More than one absence for an individual meeting will result in a grade drop. Two lateness’s will result in a grade drop. However, your attendance is expected and is a mark of your professionalism barring health and emergencies.

Studio Responsibilities:

All students must adhere to the policies laid out in the “Welcome to UF Ceramics handout” currently available on Linda Arbuckle’s website.

Graduate studios are to be kept clean. Please set up a regular mopping schedule for your group studio and post it on the studio door. It is expected that you will comply with all health and safety guidelines established by SA+AH and within it the Ceramics Program. Do label contents of materials testing and dispose of all hazardous mixtures and materials in the designated Ceramics hazardous waste area. Carefully consider your studio storage. We do not have storage space for your art work or belongings outside of your designated studio area. Please check with faculty before doing any major alteration to your studios. If you need to work in a shop area in Ceramics please inquire about this and offer an estimated timeline to myself and to Ray.

If you are using shop materials please do not remove them from the general studio area. If materials need replenishing please inform Ray. If you need a special piece of equipment please inform Linda.

Do assist the faculty and staff on evenings and weekends with locking the studios. Studio security is very important especially since of our 13th Street location. Future use of key cards will greatly assist everyone in keeping outer doors to the building locked not propped.

We greatly appreciate your professional assistance with our studios and community equipment during evenings and weekends. Please do take a benevolent and proprietary view so that the students who are in undergraduate classes remain safe and use the equipment correctly.

Note: All grads have been given access to faculty offices for equipment and grad computer use. Linda’s office is to be used for professional purposes only, Please keep track of the office key, lock doors and beware of security during use, sign out equipment, replace equipment promptly and back to original area where located.

Grades

Finished, glazed or surfaced and formally presented art is to be presented for mid-term and final critiques. Consideration will be given to more complex art work if a valid case is made to the instructor and an alternate goal is set for completion. If this option is approved and an extension given in-process art work presented for group critique must be accompanied by comprehensive color and surface examples and graphic imagery where applicable. If the proposed extension is not deemed valid the instructor will offer a late grade, resulting in a ten point grade drop.
It is the student’s responsibility to present all art work to the instructor for a physical evaluation and subsequent grading. If the student decides to present selected works only during the mid-term group and/or final critiques it is the student’s responsibility to inform the instructor that only selected works are being shown.
If you would like the full body of work considered for grading it is your responsibility to inform the instructor during your critique and to schedule an appointment in a timely fashion so this work can be reviewed and considered for the mid-term or final studio practice grade. If work is included in an exhibition or sale, it is your responsibility to inform the instructor and set an appointment for an on-site review prior to travelling the work. This must be formally undertaken for the said art work to be evaluated as a part of the grade for this course.
It is also your responsibility to inform the instructor of other ceramic courses and any other concurrent course work you are doing where projects relate. No project can be considered for grades without permission of faculty involved.
Your grade will be an evaluation of the following criteria and will be average as noted below:
(1) Quality and evolution of your studio work; including concepts and related aesthetics, Work must be completed and glaze fired and formally presented for both mid-term and final critiques. Please schedule an appropriate space to mounting you work for critiques. Mid-term 30% of grade, Final 30% of grade.
(2) Quality of your research; development of research, quality of presentation and handout or supplementary materials. 30% of grade.
(3) Preparedness; for individual sessions. 5% of grade
(4) Attendance; absences will result in a grade drop/stated above. Consistent lateness will lower your grade/stated above.
(5) Active participation during visiting artist workshop and lecture. 2.5% of grade.
(6) Active participation in group critiques and discussions. 2.5% of grade.

Minus Grades were instituted on campus during Summer A 2009. For more information:
http://www.isis.ufl.edu/minusgrades.html

Individual Meetings

Will be scheduled on Monday periods 6-8 or E1-E3 and Wednesday E1-E3. Meeting times will be discussed on the first day of class. Meetings are required. A type written page describing your research plan will be due on the second week of class. Research progress will be discussed in individual meetings. Studio progress and related topics will also be discussed during individual meetings.

Clay/Materials Purchase and Fees:

You are responsible for a modest $35.00 fee for materials for this course. The materials fee covers the average general use of ceramic raw materials, glaze, firing supplies and shipping for materials used in our community studio.
This fee is to be paid in the Reitz Union at the Follet’s Bookstore by the end of the second week of classes. Please bring the orange ticket to me and I will record your payment.
If this creates a hardship, in that you are waiting for your financial aid check, please let me know and we will accommodate you until you receive your first check. I will ask the date for payment so that this clerical job is not prolonged. Thank you!
Clay is paid for separately. You can purchase premixed recipes or mix from dry materials but payment must be made prior to getting wet clay or dry materials.
If you are recycling clay and are using dry materials you are responsible for paying for the dry materials used. Please weigh all dry materials and be responsible about your usage.
If you are using expensive inclusion stains, expensive metallic oxides, or large amounts of tin please see Ray. The Ceramics Program cannot afford to pay for the cost of stains, coloring agents, opacifiers when used in high volume.
Remember that all materials costs are based on averages. We all wish to keep costs moderate and affordable. If the area experiences “Shrinkage” (loss of materials) all members of the community will experience a price increase. In addition, if there is a question about your material usage your grade will be held until this is reconciled.

University Policies

Disabilities – “Students requesting classroom accommodation must first register with the Dean of Students Office. The Dean of Students Office will provide documentation to the student who must then provide this documentation to the Instructor when requesting accommodation.”
Classroom Demeanor – “Students in the School of Art and Art History will not be permitted to have beepers (pagers) and cell phones turned on in the classroom. If such a device beeps, chimes, rings, or makes any type noise, it must be turned off before entering the classroom”.
Academic Honesty – As a result of completing the registration form at the University of Florida, every student has signed the following statement:”I understand that the University of Florida expects its students to be honest in all of their academic endeavors and understand that my failure to comply with this commitment may result in disciplinary action to and including expulsion from the university.”Detailed academic honesty guidelines may be found at – http://www.aa.ufl.edu/aa/Rules/4017.htm
Disruptive Behavior – Faculty, students, administrative, and professional staff members, and other employees (herein referred to as “member(s” of the university), who intentionally act to impair, interfere with, or obstruct the mission, purposes, order, operations, processes, and functions of the university shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action by University authorities for misconduct, as set forth in the applicable rules of the Board of Regents and the University and state law governing such actions. A detailed list of disruptive conduct may be found at: http;//www.aa.ufl.edu/aa/Rules/1008.htm. Be advised that a student can and will be dismissed from class if he/she engages in disruptive behavior.
Critical Dates on the university calendar may be viewed at – http://www.reg.ufl.edu/dates-critical.html
University counseling services-
University Counseling Center, 301 Peabody Hall, 392-1575, personal counseling
Student Mental Health, Student Mental Health Care, 392-1171, personal counseling
Sexual Assault Recovery Services (SARS), Student Health Care Center, 392-1161, sexual assault counseling
Career Resources Center, Reitz Union, 392-1601, career development assistance and counseling.

Course Calendar

Art 6933C, Ceramics Graduate Seminar (Nan Smith, fall 2009)
Week 1 – Wednesday August 26 -Orientation, Artist Statements, Image Presentations (5 minutes each) – please plan what you wish to tell everyone about your ideas, aesthetics and techniques.
Week 2 – Monday August 31 – Individual Mtgs in your studios- Jon – 12:00, Dandee - 1:00, Galen – 2:00, (studio goals)
Wednesday September 2 –Research Statements Due, Attendance check-in B14, Studio Day. Individual Meetings in your studios- Charlie – 6:30, Chris – 7:15, Brian – 8:00, Kristin – 8:45 (studio goals)
Week 3 – Monday September 7 – Labor Day – No Classes
Wednesday September 9 – Attendance check-in B14, Studio Day. Individual Meetings – Ben - 6:30, Patrick - 7:30, Chandra – 8:30 (studio goals)
Week 4 –Monday September 14- Individual Mtgs. - Jon – 12:00, Dandee - 1:00, Galen – 2:00, (research project in progress discussions)
Wednesday September 16- Attendance check-in B14, Studio Day. Individual Meetings- Charlie – 6:30, Chris – 7:30, Brian – 8:30 (research project in progress discussions)
Week 5 – Monday September 21- Individual Meetings –Patrick - 6:30, Ben – 7:30 (research project in progress discussions)
Wednesday September 23- Attendance check-in B14, Studio Day. Individual Meetings – Chandra, Kristin (research project in progress discussions, also thesis)
Week 6 – Wednesday September 30 - Attendance check-in B14, Studio Day. Individual Mtgs.- Jon, Galen, Dandee (studio and research progress)
Week 7 –Wednesday October 7- Midterm Critiques (3 )> Dandee- 6:30- 7:15, Galen- 7:30- 8:15, Chandra- 8:30- 9:15
Week 8 –Wednesday October 14 - Midterm Critiques (3)> Chris- 6:30- 7:15, Jon- 7:30- 8:15, Charlie- 8:30-9:15
Week 9 – Wednesday October 21 - Midterm Critiques (4)> Patrick-6:30-7:00, Kristin- 7:15-7:45, Ben 8:00-8:30, Brian 8:45-9:15
Week 10 – Monday October 26 - Individual Meetings in you studios- Charlie - 6:30, Chris 7:30, Brian 8:30 (studio progress)
Wednesday October 28 - Research Reports (3)> Dandee, Galen, Brian
Week 11 – Monday November 2 - Individual Meetings in your studios- Patrick - 6:30, Ben 7:30 (studio progress)
Wednesday November 4 - Research Reports (4)> Kristin, Jon, Patrick, Chandra
Week 12 – Monday November 9 - Individual Meetings in your studios- Kristin – 6:30, Chandra – 7:30 (studio progress, thesis??)
Wednesday November 11- No Class – Veteran’s Day
Week 13 – Monday November 16 - Individual Meetings in your studios- Jon – 12:00, Dandee - 1:00, Galen – 2:00, (studio progress)
Wednesday November 18- Research Reports (3) > Ben, Charlie, Chris (prep room for Anne Drew Potter, Visiting Artist)
Thursday November 19, Friday November 20 – Visiting Artist Workshop – Anne Drew Potter – workshop and artist evening lecture required for this course.
Week 14 – Wednesday November 25th - No Class – Thanksgiving Holiday/ travel day
Week 15 – Wednesday December 2nd – Final Critiques (3)
Monday December 7th – Final Critiques – Arrange a time – I propose 11:45 – 3:00 pm Will this work??? (3)
Week 16 – Wednesday December 9th – Final Critiques (4)