Health and Safety Disclosure:
This
course and all Metal Arts courses at App State pose potential health risks to
people with dust and chemical allergies, as well as to women who are
pregnant. Please consult your physician
with questions as to your particular situation. . If you have a medical situation in class
please inform the instructor and your doctor.
Students enrolled in Metal Arts courses are expected to abide by safety
rules when working in the studio. If a
student is not following proper safety regulations they may be asked to drop
the course.
Emergency Numbers:
Off Campus: Police and Fire 911
On
Campus: University Police 262-8000
COURSE
DESCRIPTION:
Each
week we will discuss a reading relevant to contemporary art and design that
will be assigned one week prior to meeting.
Writing is an essential part of this course and the form of
communicating to me your understanding and thought process on the material
covered each week. Everyone is
responsible for participating and contributing to the reading discussions held
weekly, this is a major part of your grade. Throughout the semester there will
be assignments related to both the reading topics and your own professional
development as well as engaging the community through metal related
projects. We will be doing studio
visits, technical projects and research
while working through thesis proposal.
COURSE
OBJECTIVES:
- To continue to
cultivate an understanding of the expressive content and communicative
qualities of metal and metal processes.
- To develop
effective manipulation of visual components and structures relative to
materials, process and the intent of an overall visual expression.
- To introduce
historical and contemporary metal references and critical theory in order
to develop critical thinking skills for the analysis and development of work
by self and by others
- To develop
technical skills appropriate to the particular concepts and media
- To develop ability
and confidence in individual decision-making processes through heightened
perceptual awareness and visual scrutiny
- To
continue to cultivate an increased critical awareness and ability to
position their own work and that of others in a larger
social/artistic/cultural context.
- To
increase the ability to assess, analyze, and articulate a critical
approach in a written and verbal form regarding contemporary work, both
their own and others.
- To develop an increased
awareness of research, analysis, and experimentation in their own creative
process
COURSE
EXPECTATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:
- Students
will be expected to work on studio problems in class and out of class. The
work being submitted should reveal creative solutions to the problems
assigned. Just turning in the assignment does not guarantee a passing
grade.
- *Students
will be expected to explore options.
- Students
will be expected to reveal accomplishment and growth in the use of
practical skills and techniques in completion of studio problems.
- Pride
in craftsmanship and personal investigation is essential.
- Students
will be expected to develop standards and criteria for objective evaluation of his or her own work
as well as the work of others.
Each
student is expected to attend all studio classes. If a student is not able to attend a phone
call or email to the office is requested.
Three unexcused absences will affect your grade by 1 (i.e. if you have a
B and more than three absences you will receive a C) Medical excuses must be documented with a
doctor’s note.
BE
RESPONSIBLE:
You
are expected to bring all necessary materials for each day’s assignment. You are expected to be in class on time, stay
the full time, and make the most of the class time for completing your
work. If you miss a class it is your
responsibility to find out what you missed and be prepared for the following
class. Get to know your neighbors (phone #’s); use each other! Call your friends! If you need my assistance catching up on
materials missed, you must meet with me outside of class. I will not spend class time re-covering
material.
ATTENDANCE:
Attendance
is mandatory. Not only is this common
courtesy, but missing a class, being late, unprepared, etc. affects your
performance and my ability to conduct class and help others at the most
effective level. Only 2 absences will be
excused. Any additional absences above 2
will lower your final grade by HALF of one letter grade for each additional
absence. More than 6 absences will
result in a failing grade.
You
may work off a 3rd absence by: write a 2-page analysis/ reaction to a 3-D art
related show/visiting artist lecture.
This is an academic and research based essay so it should be written as
such with adequate importance placed upon content, structure, spelling and
grammar. This paper will be accepted no
later than two weeks before the final class day. (November 20, for FA2013)
**Religious
Observance Policy (S.L. 2010-211) You must notify me at least one week prior to
the absence for the absence to be excused.
SKETCHBOOK:
A
sketchbook is required for a coherent documentation of the verbal descriptions
of ideas, preparatory drawings, photocopies of source material such as art,
design, nature, etc. At the end of each
class, entries will be made in the sketchbooks recording problems, questions,
progress and short-term goals. The sketchbook
will be reviewed during the second to last week of classes. Project evaluations and handouts should be
kept as well. In summary, reflective and
analytical text, several small drawings and at least three photocopies are
expected for each project. The sketchbook is almost a loose project
planner. Taking small notes and doing
doodles in the corners is actually a good thing here. Add anything you feel helps you solve
problems with your projects. The
sketchbook will be averaged in with any quizzes to become another project
grade. A minimum of 50 pages is
required OR if in digital format such as a blog you must have at least 50
posts. If a student turns in a
sketchbook with less than 50 pages they may receive a failing mark. Any medium
may be used for sketches. Recommended
sketching tools are watercolor, gauche, pencil, acrylic and water based inks.
CRITIQUES:
Critiques
will be held at the end of each project.
If a student misses a critique (unexcused), there is a 40% reduction on
that particular project. Late work will be reduced one letter grade. Late projects are due within one class period
following the project due-date, except the final project, which is graded only
on the due-date. You may resubmit a
project (except the final project) to improve your grade to a maximum of a
B+. Resubmitted work is due one week
after grades are returned. Be aware, turning in projects late or resubmitting
them often compromises work on the next project.
ADDITIONAL
SUPPLIES:
Please
bring to class the following: rags or towel for drying, apron, safety glasses
and ear protection, hair ties for long hair, Band-Aids, fine-tipped permanent
magic marker, xacto knife or scissors, paper, tape, writing implements, circle
template, compass, ruler, sketchbook, metal, wire solder. Personal metal tools
etc. These and/or related items can be purchased online or at your local art
supply store.
PLEASE
NOTE:
Jeweler's
sawblades are not readily available at hardware stores. They are sometimes
available at special hobby stores and model-train suppliers. Not everyone
carries them. You can order sawblades
and silver and solder by mail, OR source them locally. Do NOT buy solder at the
hardware store-this is not the same kind we use in the metals studio and it can
be a health hazard in a shared space.
Often
you will have the opportunity to use the school's tools. These tools are
designed specifically for processes we will cover in class. You are responsible
for maintaining these tools in excellent condition or better. At the end of every session they must be
returned in perfect order. Any items
damaged through miss-use must be repaired/replaced prior to the final
critique. If tools are damaged or
missing at that time, your grades will be encumbered, until you make repairs or
replacements.
Please
do not use the tools for things other than metalsmithing and jewelry-making.
Please keep the tools dry and free from rust and scratches. Be nice to your
tools, and they will be nice to you.
GRADING:
Projects
will be assessed by these criteria - technical accomplishment, sophistication
of concept, idea engagement, problem-solving, demonstration of research, timely
completion of well-executed samples.
Technically,
each project is equal to 20% of your grade (three projects and sketchbook, four
total =80%). The last 20% is determined by your commitment to in-class work,
your demonstrated interest in the subject, enthusiasm, and degree of artistic
experimentation. Other factors include the quality of your samples and
sketchbook, timely completion of projects, and attendance record.
Late
projects or incomplete projects will receive reduced grades. Unfinished work
will not be critiqued. A grade of Incomplete will only be awarded on the basis
of circumstances delineated in the App State student handbook. Please refer to that document for further
information regarding Incomplete grades.
GRADE
BREAKDOWN:
A
Clear
and complete understanding of the concepts introduced by the assignment.
Creative and individual application of these concepts in problem solving.
Sensitive use of materials and tools Extensive participation in class
discussion and critiques. Good work
habits.
B
Good
understanding of the concepts introduced by the assignment. Creative and
individual application of these concepts in problem solving. Good use of
materials and tools Participation in class discussions and critiques. Good work habits.
C
Average
understanding of the concepts introduced by the assignment. Average application
of these concepts in problem solving. Some understanding of materials and
tools. Limited participation in class
discussions and critiques. Average work
habits.
D
or F
Incomplete
understanding of the concepts introduced by the problem. Poor application of
these concepts in problem solving. Poor
use of materials and tools. Little or no class participation.
A
= 90-100%, B = 80-90%, C = 70-80%, D = 60-70%,
F = below 59%
STUDIO
MAINTENANCE:
You
are expected to clean up after yourself during and at the end of each class, or
work session. Please respect the work
of others. The mess you leave on the
tabletop surface will affect the next person who works in your space. I will give specific instructions on how to
clean up after each medium. Some of the
techniques necessary for this course are, or can be, dangerous. It is very important to keep the studio
environment as clean as possible to lessen the potential for accidents. Cleanliness and safety will play a very
crucial role in this course, so you will constantly be looking out for
yourself, and others. As part of this class, there will be a mandatory clean up
day during exam week
SAFETY:
As
mentioned above, some of the materials and techniques we will be covering in
this course are dangerous. I will be
covering the potential risks involved as the need arises. You are expected to wear the necessary
protection and take the necessary precautions to avoid injury and/or health
hazards. Every student MUST USE safety
glasses, a dust-mask, and hearing protection (which will be issued to you). Please refer to additional policies that
apply to the art dept. concerning safety on the “Student Health and Safety
Information” sheet (posted to asulearn).
Research:
Each
student will be required to be actively involved in individual research. This
may include drawings, readings, models/ maquettes, written work and
contemporary and historical research to further their ideas and help give
context to the work produced.
