Critique of Book Stacks
Video recording outdoors demo with Nathan
CLASS walk and guided tour of the Arboretum with Interpretive Biologist Chris Earley – rain or shine! Bring appropriate clothing, shoes, and water.
Consultations and work time with video partner in the Arboretum
Introductions
Course Description, Assignments, Evaluation
Tech orientation to studio, blogs, and equipment
How to Make a Blog Post
Watch the video: Book Stacks by Nina Katchadourian)
See Nina Katchadourian’s examples:
http://www.ninakatchadourian.com/languagetranslation/sortedbooks.php
MAKE THREE BOOK STACKS IMAGES
Demo on using cameras/phones at home for shooting/high res.
Demo on using home lighting, being resourceful with available light.
–
Based on research on environmental themes, and the approaches of artists discussed in class – you will create a work of video art up to 5 minutes in length with a partner.
Use a COSTUME for one or several performers – as a way to activate a site in the arboretum. You or your partners and friends may activate the costume in a simple gesture/ series of gestures.
We will go to the Arboretum together for a class visit and activity. And we will also have independent work time in the arboretum with our partner. Be prepared for any weather, and work time/consultations during class time.
Some approaches and motifs to consider with your costume and your gestures on site:
Curiosity and experimentation where you don’t know the outcome
Acts of resistance
Acts of submission
Blending in or standing out
Forms of communication with things in the natural world
Collisions of culture with nature
Rituals and ceremonies
How language meets landscape
Playing with perceptions of scale
Playing with perceptions of time
Identity and the culture of nature
Trying to relate across species
Works will be evaluated considering all of the following criteria are met:
Presentation of research and ideas in context of artists discussed in class
Showing work in progress, seeking support when needed
Working effectively during class time and managing production to meet deadlines
Using professional recording and lighting equipment effectively
Original and compelling subject matter
Thoughtful conceptual approaches
Focus and rigor in performance
Effort and effectiveness of costume
Considered video processing and editing to convey feelings/ideas central to the work
Considered video presentation and discussion for critique
Blog post with finished, revised video, and concise artist statement to describe ideas, research, and artistic references in the work.
PRODUCTION SCHEDULE:
Be adventurous, but SAFE and RESPECTFUL at all times. See below:
______________________________________________________________________
*IMPORTANT NOTE:
As with all student projects and activities in Experimental Studio and while a student at the University of Guelph you should never do anything illegal, unethical, or that can harm yourself or others in any way. And dangerous/hazardous materials and tools are not allowed on campus or in the studios.
By agreeing to participate in this course you must adhere to these guidelines.
You must discuss your idea with your instructor if there can be any question about the safety of your projects. Students who do not follow this process will receive 0 on assignments, in addition to facing any other academic or legal consequences.
Be careful, be safe, use good sense, and be considerate of others always. Thank you!
Visit to the copy shop in the UC – explore timelines for printing commercially
Discuss projects in progress
Work in class
Discuss projects in progress
Work in class
Note, participation grades can change before final submission of grades – attendance and presence for discussions, critiques, work in progress, and supporting your community matter. Please join us!
Critiques begin on TUESDAY next week – sign up for dates in class.
Artist Spotlight from Take A Stand playlist Art 21:
https://art21.org/watch/extended-play/barbara-kruger-part-of-the-discourse-short/
FINAL assignment: Make an Artist Multiple or Independent, Open Media work – all ideas to be discussed with instructor in class on THURSDAY this week.
Sign up for critiques in the last week!
RECOMMENDED MEDIA: Posters, post-cards, T-shirts, mugs, a set of stickers, banners, matchbooks, artist books, modified products, small sculptures or other commercially-printed or mass printed media.
Due: See schedule for details
______________________________________________________________________
Since the 1950’s artists have been making accessible works in a series/edition intended for wider distribution than an expensive “original”. They would undermine the idea of precious/one-of-a-kind artworks, and be related to everyday objects and operations.
They have been made as prints, small manufactured sculptures, pins, artist books, magazines, postcards, t-shirts and other commercially reproducible media.
Artist multiples are sometimes playful and mischievous – exploring new and surprising manifestations of commercial goods – for example they are personal, satiric, highly conceptual, queer, alternative to mainstream ideas etc. They can also convey activist messages intended for wide distribution.
Students will create a playful artist multiple in a form intended to be made in “multiple”. You can create one or more of your multiples, or a few items in a series – and consider the ideal “edition” size when you show your work in critique. Your work should be finished like a product in a store, and this may include packaging to finish the work.
Consider artist multiples by some of the following artists:
Hiba Abdallah
Sandy Plotnikoff
Dave Dyment
Yoko Ono
David Shrigley
Kelly Mark
Adam David Brown
Roula Partheniou
Paige Gratland
Micah Lexier
Jessie Eisner
Tracey Emin
Piero Manzoni
John Baldessari
Fiona Banner
Germaine Koh
Jenny Holzer
Fluxus (various)
Students will document finished works at the studio with a backdrop/or in action for addition to the blog.
Two “commercial” style photos of your multiple must be posted on the blog with a title and short description by the end of the day at least one week after the last class to receive a final grade.
Present books in progress draft 1
Discuss ideas in progress and make corrections for Thursday ORDERING DEADLINE
Present books in progress – remaining students
Complete cover designs, make corrections in consultation with Nathan and Diane
Export packages – NATHAN CONFIRMS AND ORDER BOOKS
Remember to post a PDF of your book on the blog – with a title and note about it – so it can be graded as “Book in Progress”. This is due by the end of the day Tuesday next week!
Watch the entire: Take A Stand playlist from Art 21 –
https://art21.org/playlist/taking-a-stand/
Make notes on two of the artists, and at least two artworks in total that you are interested in.
Discuss how the artists think about justice issues, and how they use strategies of agitation and transmission to “take a stand”. What kinds of unique tools and strategies can artists bring to activist projects? How does their work inspire your own thinking about art, and about justice? How could these artists influence your practice? Start thinking/making notes about an idea for a unique artist multiple you can start working on next week.
Note: Next week we will look at samples of artist multiples, and discuss our final assignment. Students can make a multiple in any medium – or – complete an independent work on any theme, in any medium due for show-and-tell discussion/critiques in the last week of classes. Be prepared to discuss some ideas in class.
Tuesday – (no class meeting, make up class on Sat. Oct 21 Toronto Field Trip)
Thursday –
Artist Talk from Evgenia
Demo on book layout design with Nathan
Discussions of ideas in development
Tues/Thurs:
Meetings with Diane about book in progress
Work time on scanning, layouts, and printing layouts in progress
BE BREPARED FOR AN IN-PROGRESS CRITIQUE ON TUESDAY with the class – there will limited time next week to correct, copyedit, and refine your design to be ordered for publication on Thursday by the end of class time.
| Pop Quiz By Dave Dyment About the project: A near comprehensive collection of all of the questions posed in pop songs from the artist’s music collection. 360-page softcover artist’s book 5″ x 8″ Edition of 500, numbered and signed by the artist (each with unique handwritten question) $50 |
Experimental 2/3
Note on Schedule:
1. Book design workshop with Nathan
2. WORK IN PROGRESS due for discussion
3. ***Final works uploaded and submitted for printing deadline****
4. Works will also be discussed in progress during class.
Consider a book. Use any book you are interested in – a novel, a textbook, a book of essays, a field guide, a book of maps, a self-help book, an instruction manual, a cookbook, a memoir, a monograph… the possibilities are endless.
Choose one book as the point of departure for a print-on-demand artist book that you will develop and design in class. Like examples of artist publications discussed in class, your artist book will emphasize image over text and be an artwork in its own right. It can be any length or size available on Blurb.com under a budget of (total) $30 including taxes.
Your work can be about the book, use the book’s images, respond to or engage the book in any way. Consider content, text, meaning, and image in your work. The original book may or may not be visible or obvious in your finished work – but the artist book will represent your own version of the ideas in the book, and your own responses. The work may be discursive and legible, or it may be austere, formalized or abstract.
Strategies and motifs you may consider:
Scanning and photocopying from books
Using found photographs from the internet
Taking photographs
Working with appropriated text
Using text as image
Making a book from the past into the present
Focusing/repeating one detail in a book
Exploring visual references in the book
Responding to cover art, diagrams or illustrations in a book
Playing with scale
Rearrangements and reorientations
Drawing from books
More student examples:
See also: Dave Dyment and Nothing Else Press