Syllabus

Professor: Anna Campbell
Meeting Time: Mondays & Wednesdays 11:00am – 1:30pm
Classroom: Calder Art Center [CAC] 1815
Office Hours: Mondays & Wednesdays 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Office: 1109 Calder Art Center [CAC]
Email: campbean (at) gvsu (dot) edu 

Objectives

Working Methods: Practice using the basic materials and techniques for making sculptural objects.

Formal Concerns: Gain an awareness of three-dimensional forms and space, develop an understanding and ability to use the forms, and develop the ability to problem solve materially and spatially.

Context and Concept: Consider sculptural objects within the context of art history, art criticism, design and material culture, emphasizing the range of concepts and strategies used by sculptors.

State of the Field: Research the field of sculpture via images, readings, and class trips.

Workload

You will have homework regularly: exercises, readings or research that further explore the concepts of a major project.  Homework is essential to the preparation and development of a major project.

You will have several projects during the semester: These projects are much more involved than homework assignments and will often have an in-progress due-date as well as a due date for critique.

Expectations

Learning comes with trial and error.  It is important to challenge yourself and go well beyond what is familiar and safe.  Investigation and experimentation are essential for successful and interesting problem solving.  Start your projects early; this allows you to take risks and solve technical problems in time.

Optional Travel

A bus trip to Chicago is scheduled for Friday, September 23rd. The cost is $32.  Pick up a payment slip from the office. Payment is made to the cashier in Student Services. You must then deliver your receipt to the box on the counter in the Art Office. Deadline to have your receipt in the box in the office: Friday, September 16th at 4pm.  We book busses based on the number of receipts in the box at the deadline.

A handout with itineraries and maps will be passed out the morning of the trip. Admission to EXPO Chicago is $20; The Art Institute of Chicago is $19 for Michigan students with ID; the MCA has a suggested admission of $7. Millennium Park & the Chicago Cultural Center are always free of charge.  There may also be an opportunity to see some contemporary West loop galleries.

Schedule:
7:40 am load busses at Calder Art Center
10:00 am (Chicago time) drop-off Museum of Contemporary Art
5:00 pm (Chicago time) pick-up Art Institute of Chicago
10:45 pm (approximately) arrive at Calder Art Center

You will receive a letter from the department that explains the necessity of the trip to faculty in other departments, in the instance that you have to miss other classes to attend this field trip.

If you do not plan to travel to Chicago, please make arrangements with me for an alternative research trip.

Recommended Lectures

There are many lectures sponsored by both the Art & Design Department and the University. Among those are the lectures presented by the Office of Multicultural Affairs: gvsu.edu/oma/ Rebecca Solnit will speak at the Eberhard Center at 7:00pm on Monday, November 14th

Kendall College of Art and Design in downtown Grand Rapids also offers a series of lectures in conjunction with their gallery exhibits. The lecture schedule can be found here: kcad.edu/gallery

The Department of Art & Art History at Michigan State University has a very impressive Visiting Artist Lecture Series. For artists and dates, see: art.msu.edu

ArtPrize will be hosting several important lectures.  Consult dates here: artprize.org/events

Feel free to alert the class to any lectures/ exhibits/ or important local events that may be relevant.

Attendance

The nature of studio working and learning is experiential and active, so being here on time is essential and expected.

  • All necessary materials must be brought to class at the assigned time. If you do not have your supplies it is the equivalent of not being here.
  • You may miss three class periods without affecting your grade. If you are late to, or leave early from class by 10 minutes or more this will count as 1/3 absence. Your final grade will drop a grade level per additional absence. [Example: after 3 absences, an A- becomes a B+.; after 4 absences and 3 late arrivals, a C becomes a D.]
  • The department mandates that any absence exceeding 5 results in an automatic failure.
  • Missing a critique day drops the grade of your project by 1 letter grade.
  • A missed critique day counts as 2 absences.
  • If you fail to show up for either exam week meetings, your grade for the class will drop by one whole letter grade.

You are solely responsible for all class assignments and information given during class.  If you do miss a class, please confirm any assignments/discussion content with me.  Religious holidays are excused absences, but you must contact me in advance of missing a class for any reason.  Please keep in mind that the allowable absences are meant for personal/family illness, etc; do not use them carelessly, as this frequently causes problems for students later in the semester.

Late Policy

You must be on time for class with your work finished to receive credit for it; this applies to all coursework.  Projects not finished before critique will not be discussed.  Contact me as soon as possible if you need an extension based on documented illness or family trauma.  If your project is late your grade will drop by 10% and continue to drop each passing class day.  Late homework will not be graded.

Participation

Participation requires that you are physically and mentally alert and active in class. You need to have a position, response or opinion about the ideas and work presented in class.

Be prepared to work during class; do not come to class with the intent of leaving to purchase or collect materials.

Clean up your space and the studio in general when you are done. Put community tools away. Your projects and materials should be placed on the shelves assigned to your class.

Critiques

Individual critiques will be ongoing.  You should be prepared to participate during group critiques with both a project and thoughtful verbal responses.  Formal and in-process critiques are meant to help you evaluate your investigations into sculpture.  On critique days, you must be on time for class with your work finished to receive credit for it.  Successful critiques depend on your thoughtful and honest evaluations.  You must be present for all critiques.

Evaluation
Evaluation will be based on several factors, including composition, originality of your problem-solving, and quality of craft.  Final grades will be based on the average of the assigned projects along with attendance, work habits, and class participation.  Your grade can be detrimentally affected if you are not contributing to the learning process and engaged in the class.

Grading
You have the option to redo work if you are not happy with your grade.  Improvements in concept, design and craft will raise your grade; simply redoing the piece without making tangible improvements will not.  Reworked assignments should be turned in to me by Week 13.

A: reserved for exceptional exploration, in-depth research, original problem-solving, and highly competent execution

B: above average work effort, well-considered problem solving, good craftsmanship, enthusiastic participation

C: average work: parameters of assignment are fulfilled satisfactorily

D: an understanding of concepts is not evidenced, work may be incomplete or hastily constructed

F: insignificant attempt made

Supplies

You will need to keep a sketchbook for this class.  It should serve as a tool for you to work out ideas, take notes on demos, plan for projects, and record your process and progress over the course of the semester.  You will need it for every class.  Dimensions should be conducive to portability, approximately between 6” x 8” and 9” x 12”.

A three ring binder is required.  It must contain the syllabus, all handouts, personal research, articles, etc.  You must have your binder for each class.

Other required supplies include:
mechanical pencils (at least 2)
assorted wood sandpaper
2 dust masks (N95)
safety glasses (gently used safety glasses are available for in shop use)
leather work gloves (medium and large shared shop gloves are available for in shop use)
all leather shoes – necessary for bronze pour
small cardboard box or tool box
padlock for a locker
packing materials for the safe transportation of your art [box/crate/bag]

You will need to purchase additional items specific to each of the projects. Budget approximately $85 – $150 for additional materials; some of this material, including bronze, is available through the department.

Mandatory Studio Rules

Community
Sculpture involves a lot of grunt work; everyone will be expected to help out with the daily responsibilities of maintaining the studio and supplies. This may involve mandatory hours outside of class stocking and mixing materials, monitoring the studio and working in small groups.

Woodshop and Metal Shop
Current sculpture students may use the tools in the wood and metal shops after they have been taught how to use them safely by the sculpture technician. If you would like a refresher on tools, ask me or Jim Visser, the sculpture technician for help. Check postings in the shops for more rules & guidelines

Don’t know what it is? Don’t Use it
Never use a chemical until you have been taught how to use it safely by your instructor. Do not bring chemicals such as strippers, oil, acetone or turpentine based paints, varnishes, resins or solvents to class. These materials are hazardous to everyone’s health; accommodations may be possible in rare cases with my or Jim’s permission.

Respect the Tools
Always clean off the tools before you put them away. Never use non-plaster tools for working with plaster. All metal tools that come in contact with plaster need to be wire brushed after each use, and oiled regularly.

Clean up After Yourself
Always leave your work area cleaner than you found it. Failure to clean up after working in the woodshop, wax, plaster or welding area will result in the loss of your privileges in those areas. Together we can keep this space safe and pleasant to work in.

Clean Carefully
Many of the dry materials in this studio (including sawdust and plaster) are bad for your lungs. Wear your mask when you clean. You will have required reading about health and safety in sculpture. Read it carefully and live by it!

Dress for Mess Every Class
Dress for class. Closed toed shoes are essential. Long pants must be worn in the wood and metal areas. Tie back long hair. Do not wear loose-fitting clothing when working with power tools. Medium and large work shirts are available for your use in the shop.

Studio Hours
The shop will be open regularly; hours are posted on the door.

Ability Statement
If there is any student in this class who has special needs because of learning, physical, or other disability, please contact me or the Disability Support Services [DSS] at 616.331.2490.

Fire Safety
Fire: Immediately proceed to the nearest exit during a fire alarm. Do not use elevators.  More information is available on the University’s Emergency website located at gvsu.edu/emergency

Grading

Weight of Assignments
Fire: Immediately proceed to the nearest exit during a fire alarm. Do not use elevators. More information is available on the University’s Emergency website located at gvsu.edu/emergency
Project 1: Ephemera & Index – 5%
Project 2: Line Location – 10%
Project 3: Systems & Structures – 15%
Project 4:Desire & the Abject – 40%
Project 5: Connect Two – 15%
Presentation- 10%
Critique – 5%
Total – 100%

Grading Scale

A: 92-100%
A-: 90-91%
B+: 88-89%
B: 82-87%
B-: 80-81%
C+: 78-79%
C: 72-77%
C-: 70-71%
D+: 68-69%
D: 60-67%
F: 0-59%

ART & SAFETY

Almost all materials and tools used in art have safety concerns.
For tools the safety concern is more obvious and to that end you will need training and authorization to use them. For others the concern is less obvious and may involve the chemicals contained or the vapors/dust given off when they are worked. GVSU is committed to providing the safest environment possible for you to work and learn.

Training will be provided during this studio class to help you identify and deal with the potential hazards you might encounter. There are, however, some basic things you must know and follow. It is your body and your responsibility.
-SAFETY GLASSES. You are required to own and use safety glasses whenever you are working in this studio. Mark yours so they can be identified.
-FOOTWEAR. You are required to wear closed toe shoes that cover your feet when you are in this studio. No crocks, no sandals, no flip-flops. You will be given the opportunity to have a locker assigned to you. Keep a pair of shoes inside if you like to wear sandals.
-EATING/DRINKING. In order to prevent the ingestion of chemicals and materials, you may only eat in designated areas. You may drink in your work area but only from marked bottles/cans that have a small opening, or travel mugs/cups with a slit opening or cups with lid and straw.
-UNMARKED CONTAINERS. You may not leave or use containers with chemicals or ‘mixes’ that are unmarked as to contents.
-DISPOSAL. Solvents and many chemicals and mixes may not be poured down drains. Ask your professor if you are uncertain or if you do not know where to dispose properly.
-PARTICLE MASK. Some processes or work in this studio class may require you to own and use a nuisance level or the higher N95 level particle mask. They are not expensive. Mark yours.
-ACCIDENTS. Should you have an accident that requires you to go to a med center or hospital for treatment you must fill out an accident form within 2 days
Form available from 3-D Tech. in the Sculpture studio

‘RIGHT TO KNOW’ (MSDS)
Chemicals and materials that you are supplied with or that you are required to use in this studio class are supplied with MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet). The MSDS identify contents, hazards and disposal instructions. Some are specific to a manufacturer; others are generic for a product. Copies are kept on file in specific locations and you may view them or ask to have a copy (or you can go to http://www.gvsu.edu/labsafety). The location of the MSDS file and the person responsible is posted.

You are required to sign a sheet that indicates that you have read and understood the above.

GENERAL EDUCATION PROGRAM:
FOUNDATIONS – ARTS

This course is part of GVSU’s General Education Program. ART 270 is designed to help you learn:
1. To examine the principles and questions that define the field and analysis of formal elements of works of art.
2. How meaning in the arts is created and interpreted.
3. To understand the historical and cultural contexts for artists and their works.
4. Critical and creative thinking, which uses systematic reasoning to examine and evaluate ideas, leading to new ways of thinking or doing. Students will:
• Assess differing perspectives and assumptions.
• Evaluate evidence and the logic of arguments.
• Formulate novel approaches or create alternative interpretations.
5. Oral communication, which is the practice of effectively communicating verbally with a public audience across a variety of contexts. Students will:
• Develop content appropriate to the presentation goals.
• Organize the content in a logical manner appropriate for the intended audience.
• Demonstrate a range of effective formal and informal presentation skills.
• Demonstrate evidence of rehearsal through the verbal presentation.

Teaching in the liberal tradition is at the heart of Grand Valley’s identity, and this focus is critical in our General Education Program. Liberal education transcends the acquisition of information; it goes beyond the factual to ask important evaluative and philosophical questions. Liberal learning holds the fundamental principles and suppositions of a body of knowledge up to inquiry, question, and discussion. It helps a person recognize the assumptions under which he or she operates and encourages the examination and questioning of those assumptions. Liberal learning begins in the General Education Program and continues through the more specialized studies comprising each student’s major and minor areas of study.

Grand Valley State University educates students to shape their lives, their professions, and their societies.