West Virginia Wesleyan College // School of Fine Arts & Humanities
Department of Art
Fall Term 2014  //  Installation Art: Utopias  //  ART354
Classroom: McCuskey Room 113
Tue/Thu 12-2:30pm
Professor: Ellen Mueller // Office: McCuskey Room 105
Office Hours: Mon & Wed, 2:30-5:00pm & by appointment
Email: mueller_e@wvwc.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This class will examine occurrences at the intersection of installation art and utopias. We will examine definitions of utopias while experiencing a survey of some of the origins, influences, theories, processes, and manifestations of installation art. We will read, watch, and discuss perspectives on installation art and utopias written/created by artists, curators, art historians, and critics. We will view work by artists who consider themselves installation artists. Using this information as a springboard, we will create our own installations grappling with the idea of utopias.

The class is not media-specific; you will work with materials appropriate to your concepts/projects. Experimentation is always a virtue to have as an artist. Simultaneously keep deadlines, craft, and context in mind. Be ambitious.

OBJECTIVES:

• Students will practice utilizing a variety of materials including object construction, video & audio editing, and installation approaches.
• students will think about/discuss influences & precursors to installation art and processes through reading, discussion assignments, and short answer quizzes.
• By brainstorming, researching and presenting, students will identify their own artistic sources and influences.
• Students will practice identifying and utilizing the elements and principles of design in a four-dimensional environment by creating and critiquing art works. This process will also enhance written and oral fluency in artistic language.
• Students will practice brainstorming to strengthen their ability to form creative conceptual ideas.
• Students will demonstrate the professional activities of an artist in terms of documenting their work and self-discipline to complete all work in a timely fashion. Students will practice documenting their work, turning in a disk or jump drive of all their work at the end of the semester.

NOTES ON PERSEVERANCE:

We will encounter frustrations as we deal with unexpected road-blocks, and create workarounds that fit within our timeline. These are important skills to practice, as you will do the same when you leave school and enter the world of professional artistic practice. Our weekly discipline will include a variety of activities which may include, but are not limited to, discussion, active installation creation/viewing, sketchbook entries, and scheduled readings/writings. It is important to know you do not have to be a trained artist to participate in this course. However you must be willing to explore how this medium allows you to develop and refine your artistic practice, regardless of your preferred artistic medium. Please note that an instructor cannot force the effort required to practice art. It must come from a desire and aptitude for struggle. Dedication and willingness to create will ensure your success in this class.

NOTES ON COURSE CONTENT:

We’re about to experience some content that can be, and has in the past been, considered provocative. People in this course have been offended by what we’re about to see, so even if you think this is harmless or funny, keep in mind that this can also offend. Have respect for how other people in the room feel. That said: provocative art might not be directly offensive, but can remind you of difficult experiences, and it can work on you emotionally before your thinking mind has a chance to catch up. This means it can surprise you, and that’s ok, and this room is a safe place to talk about offendedness and problematic art, and you can also communicate with me via email or office visit. I’ll also try to contextualize this art by putting it in its historical moment where it will hopefully make better sense.

NOTES ON RESPECT:

The work created in the course may be of a personal and/or controversial nature. Please respect your colleagues and give their work your best attention. If you disagree with a work or its content, remember that when engaging with others’ work you must be a responsible and professional critic, and as such must work to make your criticism constructive and descriptive.