Aatooq means “full of blood” in Kalaallisut, Laakkuluk’s Greenlandic mother tongue. In this film, we explore the spirit of blood – how we ingest it, create it and emit it. We honour blood as our life force.
Ikumagialiit ᐃᑯᒪᒋᐊᓖᑦ (those that need fire) is a performance art band with Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory, Cris Derksen, Jamie Griffiths and Christine Tootoo. The Ikumagialiit quartet is egalitarian, bringing together four strong women from different disciplines, across generations. Ikumagialiit’s premiere show was a part of Abadakone at the National Gallery of Canada and also played at the Harbourfront Centre in Toronto before the pandemic. Aatooq is the quartet’s newest work, where the four women pushed themselves to be creative and collaborative despite living in lockdown in three different communities.
Iqaluit, Kangiqlliniq (Rankin Inlet) and Tkaronto (text from National Gallery of Canada)
Work time with group
Arboretum maps/tips/references and advice
Book equipment, demos from Nathan, development of production schedules.
Artist examples – relevant to research interests.
WEDNESDAY
Work time on site in Arboretum together during class time – meet in the classroom for equipment etc.
One Billion Years [Past and Future], Dave Dyment A collection of books pertaining to the past and future, arranged chronologically from One Billion Years Ago to The Next Billion Years. 2012.
In your own home library/bookshelf, or the home library bookshelf of someone you know – make three book stack sculptures and document them with their phone cameras, or cameras from our class equipment selection.
Consider how the books are arranged to make the titles, or colours, or shapes you would like to highlight most legible to a viewer.
Consider how the stack might create a portrait, or tell a story, or create an image that alters, exceeds or expands the intentions of the materials on their own.
Avoid distracting from the books and their titles/colours by creating a plain background, and clear bright lighting. Be resourceful in how you solve this in a non-studio environment.
Post your three best images to the blog with a short description of your ideas and processes to make them.
DUE for in-class discussion from your blog page next week – see schedule for details.
Demo on using cameras/phones at home for shooting/high res.
Demo on using home lighting, being resourceful with available light.
Terrance Houle, from the Urban Indian series, 2004.
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:
Research and brainstorming: Research an aspect of the arboretum/environment with your partner. Topics might include: Native trees, rare plants, seeds, flowers, birds, migration, weather, ornamental gardens, raptors, reptiles, mammals, “invasives”, clouds, astronomy, fungi, seasons, insects, conservation, camouflage, forest fires, drought, climate change, floods, maps, walking, bird calls, birders, nature guides, wind, swamps… etc. Discuss approaches to video artmaking in relation to strategies used by artists discussed in class.
Develop a BLOG POST including research and ideas for your video to share with the class: Be as specific as possible and create a short blog postwith information about your topic, artists that have inspired your approach, and ideas/sketches for your own video. What would your costume/s be? How would you activate it on site? Where is the best location for your idea? How would you frame and record the action? Post production ideas? Etc. Be prepared to discuss variations and open to alternate strategies in a class brainstorming discussion.
Record your videos in the arboretum: Edit and finish your final videos with feedback and support in studio.
Post your final videos to the blog: Include a title, a short description of the work, and brief relevant notes about your ideas and process.
Be adventurous, but SAFE and RESPECTFUL at all times. See below:
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
THURSDAY
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.
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.
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.
Discuss ideas in progress and make corrections for Thursday ORDERING DEADLINE
Thursday:
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!
Homework for Tuesday next week:
Barbara Kruger, Now and Here, 2011
Watch the entire: Take A Stand playlist from Art 21 –
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.
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.
