Department of Art and Art History
University of Utah

ART 3410 section 1: Sculpture Problems I (4 credits)

Semester:
Spring 2008
Instructor:
 Assoc. Professor Kaiti Slater
Class time:
T H 9:10am - 12:05pm
Office:
SCULPT 176
Class location:
SCULPT 179
Office hours:
T/TH 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM.  Please register on the appointment signup sheet on my door.
Pre- or Co-requisite:
 First Year Studio Program
Telephone:
581-4798
Fulfills:
Email Address:
k.slater@utah.edu

Notice: It is the responsibility of the student to enrolled in the class by the add deadline (http://www.sa.utah.edu/regist/pages/Deadlines.html). Late slips will not be signed by the department. It is also the responsibility of the student to make sure that dropping or withdrawing from the class has been officially completed in the Registrar's office.

Course Description
The course initiates questions of artistic intent and establishes conceptual premises. Students develop basic research skills, draft proposals and statements, and begin to establish individual artistic vocabulary. It is expected that the students create studio works related to these investigations. Curriculum includes regular seminar discussions and presentations based on assigned readings, local lectures, and visiting researchers. Contemporary issues and ideas in sculpture are a primary focus of these discussions.

Course Fee

$50.00 - The fee covers a variety of consumables used by students in the facility.

Course Text and Other Readings

N/A

Course Content and Objectives

The objective of this course is to develop a further understanding of visual art, as a studio practice and within an historical context, through three-dimensional art forms. Major goals and objectives include:
  • Exploring formal approaches in the visual organization of three-dimensional art formats
  • Developing technical skills necessary to achieve these forms
  • Advancing the ability to understand art as a means of communication
  • Expanding your knowledge of affective visual forms and broadening an awareness of different approaches toward art, especially concentrating on an artist's motivation and reasons behind the making of her or his own art work
  • This course strongly emphasizes a student’s development of his or her own artistic intent.

 

A primary goal of this course is for each of you to better understand how to develop your artwork. During the semester you will create a series of three prototype pieces and three completely developed sculpture pieces.  There is a focus on the development of these artworks as a series.  In other words, you will develop an extended visual investigation where in each subsequent artwork builds on what was learned and discovered in the previous piece. You choose an aesthetic direction with the goal of developing that direction via a semester-long process.  Class discussions and visual media presentations provide students with a foundation from which to understand how other artists develop their work.  Your thoughtful participation in these discussions is an important element of the course work and is required.  Also, you will write an artist statement and refine this statement throughout the semester, as well as providing verbal and written commentary on other students’ statements.

Course Requirements

  • Timely completion of 3 prototype projects that fulfill course criteria
  • Timely completion of 3 three-dimensional artworks that fulfill course criteria
  • Cohesive verbal presentation of studio assignments at the time you present each for group critique
  • Timely completion of a series of written artist statements as defined by course handouts
  • Review, and timely completion of written commentary on artist statements as per assignment
  • Active participation in all group critiques of studio projects
  • Active participation in all class discussions and technical demonstrations
  • Completion and demonstrated comprehension of assigned readings
  • Adherence to the Attendance Policy for the course as outlined in a subsequent section of this syllabus
  • Responsible studio behavior as outlined in a subsequent section of this syllabus, including the successful completion of a studio-lab-facility clean-up task at the end of the course.
  • Maintaining an active email account that you check on a regular basis (as a student the university will provide you with an account)
  • Retrieving information relating to course assignment from the Department web site

Attendance Policy

This is a studio class; there is no text for the class, and in-class activities, lectures and discussions are a critical component to the class content and cannot be made up if missed. It is expected that you come to class regularly, arriving on time, making good use of your time in class, and working until the end of the class period. In that this is a 3-hour course it is assumed that you will need to take a 10-minute hiatus during each class period, other than that it is expected that you will be actively engaged in the studio facility in course activities. If there are unavoidable circumstances, it is the student's responsibility to contact the instructor for special consideration. With that in mind the following pertains to attendance in this class
  • Each unexcused absence beyond two absences results in a 2 point deduction from your final grade point average for the course
  • Project critique days may absolutely not be missed and will be excused only by a University Approved absence.  An unexcused absence on a scheduled critique day will result in the score of 0 for your verbal participation for that critique and result in lowering your final grade point average for this class.
  • Two tardies equal one unexcused absence. If there are unavoidable circumstances, it is the student's responsibility to contact the instructor for special consideration.
  • Two instances of leaving class early (more than 15 minutes before the end of class) equals one unexcused absence
  • Two instances of not working on the assigned class activities during class equals one unexcused absence

 

Evaluation Methods and Grading Scale

   

A  = sustained level of superior performance demonstrated in all areas of Course Requirements

B  = consistent level of performance that is distinctly above average in a majority of the Course Requirements

C = level of performance that is generally average and in which the Course Requirements are achieved

D = below average performance and achievement of the Course Requirements

E = accomplishment of the Course Requirements is not at a level sufficient to receive a passing grade

 

Evaluation Procedures: Students will be given a Mid-term grade that provides an evaluation of his/her work up to that point and a Final Grade for the course.  It is strongly encouraged that students make an appointment to meet with the instructor outside of class prior to the Mid-term Evaluation and then again after the Mid-term Evaluation for additional assessment of progress.   Final Grade for this course will be determined according to the following.

75% of Final Grade   
Satisfactory Completion and Review of Studio Pieces  
During the semester students will complete a series of 3 prototype pieces and 3 completely developed sculpture pieces. In the grading scenario, the 3 prototype piece are equal in points to one of the completely developed sculpture pieces. Grading of these works will consider:
  • Concept/ idea of the work:  how well the piece communicates the artist's intention and the relevance of that intention to the viewer
  • The level of complexity and sophistication as demonstrated by form and handling of the piece, and by the manner in which the piece communicates the artist’s intent
  • Development of artworks in a series
  • Formal composition
  • Quality of the technical execution of artwork (in the context of the piece as a whole)
  • The degree of challenge piece presents to the student
  • Verbal presentation of piece for critique and ability of the student to engage in a meaningful discussion about the artwork with the group.
  • Points will be deducted from pieces which are turned in late; points drop 5 points per class period

 

15% of Final Grade
Development of Artist’s Statements
During the semester through a series of written statements that you create, you will develop an artist’s statement.  I will provide you with a series of outlines upon which you will form the structure of your written statement.  It is required that statements are presented in a typed format. And are submitted via email.  Also required is the review and timely completion of written commentary on artist statements that are created by other students in the class.
 Evaluation of statements you create will consider:
  • Addressing points in the outline
  • Accurate reflection of written statement when compared to the artwork of which you are writing
  • Clarity of in the presentation of your ideas and points
  • Correct grammar, spelling, etc.

 

10% of Final Grade

Being well prepared for, and demonstrating enthusiastic verbal participation in all class discussions.

You receive a mid-term grade that evaluates you in this area. Students are encouraged to meet with the instructor prior to the mid-term grade and prior to the final grade to receive further information on their progress in this area. Class activities that fall into this category include verbal activity in class discussions and critiques, preliminary sketches, drawings and maquettes in preparation for course assignments, and the presentation of aesthetic research as per assignments. Evaluation of this area will consider:
  • Beginning all of the class discussions prepared with the appropriate support materials such as sketches, visual examples, etc.
  • Enthusiastic verbal participation in group critiques of studio projects
  • Enthusiastic verbal participation in group discussions and slide lectures
  • Enthusiastic verbal participation in group review of Artist’s Statements
  • Enthusiastic and respectful debate
Responsible Studio Behavior

You share the studio areas, not only with the other members of the class, but also with people in other classes.  It is a requirement of this course that you accomplish the following:
  • Successful completion of a studio-lab-facility task at the end of the course.  If you do not complete the agreed upon studio-lab-facility task 5 points will be deducted from your final grade point average
  • Put away ANY AND ALL TOOLS that you use.     
  • Storing your works-in-progress in a safe place.  Store your work along the walls or on top of the lockers. This will be safer for those persons moving through the room, as well as being safer for your piece.  DO NOT STORE FINISHED PIECES AT SCHOOL.  We would like to help you out on this, but there is simply not enough room.  Pieces which are completed, and which are left in the Sculpture /Intermedia area beyond a critique/grading time period will be disposed of.  If you need a little extra time to arrange for transport of your piece please speak with me and we will make special arrangements if we can.
  • Operating all tools and equipment in accordance with safety procedures.  You will be instructed in the safe manner to operate the tools and equipment that you will be using during this course.  There are simple guidelines to follow for your safety and for the safety of those working around you. 

 
Locker Policy

I will assign you a locker within the Sculpture /Intermedia area. You will need to provide your own lock.  This assignment is for the Spring Semester only, unless you are a major in the Sculpture /Intermedia area.

Access to Studios & Equipment During Non-Class Hours
As an Art Major you are able to have your I.D. card processed through the swipe card system, giving you access to the building twenty-four hours a day. There are, however, some restrictions and means of accessing certain areas that you will need to know.

  • Sculpture / Intermedia Tools: You will be provided with the combination to two cabinets that contain some basic sculpture tools. It is important that everyone remembers to lock the cabinets when they leave.
  • General Tool Room:  To use tools that are kept in the General Tool Room (rm. 184) you will need to sign them out either through the Facilities Supervisor, a student monitor, or an instructor. 

            

Tools from the General Tool Room may be signed out over night and over the weekend, but you will need to use foresight and plan ahead.

 

All tools must be signed in and out whenever you remove them from the tool room.  This entails putting your name and the name of tool you are checking out on a list that is provided in the Tool Room.

 

When you check out a tool you are assuming responsibility for its safe return to the Tool Room.  If a tool is not returned, you become financially responsible for that tool. 

 

Tools may not be removed from the Department Buildings under any circumstances.
  • Sculpture Area Equipment: All of the equipment in the Sculpture Area (rooms 178, 179, Small Metals Room, and the Foundry Area) requires that the user to be trained in safety procedures and operating methods. 

 

The use of welding and torch-based equipment including the forge, plasma cutter, arc welders and all torches will not be addressed in this course. Safe and appropriate use of this equipment requires extensive training and there is a semester-long course in which use of this equipment is addressed: 3D Shop Techniques.  If you have not taken the course 3D Shop Techniques you are not allowed to use this equipment. 

 

 

  • Wood Shop:  All of the equipment in this room requires the user to be trained in safety procedures and operating methods.  First Year Studio Part II  (3-D Design, Spring Semester) is a prerequisite for this course.  In First Year Studio Part II each student is required to pass a written safety test on the use of wood shop equipment and to construct a three-dimensional piece from wood.  If you have not taken this course please let me know right away.

 

During class time, if no other class is scheduled in the Wood Shop, you will be able to use this facility under my direction.  Check in with me prior to use of any of the equipment and I will review safety with you.

ADA statement
The University of Utah seeks to provide equal access to its programs, services and activities for people with disabilities. If you will need accommodations in the class, reasonable prior notice needs to be given to the Center for Disability Services, 162 Union Building, 581-5020 (V/TDD). CDS will work with you and the instructor to make arrangements for accommodations.

All written information in the course can be made available in alternative format with prior notification to the Center for Disability Services.