Investigations into the use of non-traditional sculpture materials and process, integration of two-dimensional and three-dimensional formats and aesthetic strategies, and investigations into the use of materials, processes and aesthetic strategies as the center of the content and concept of an artwork. The course is concerned with the innovative use of non-traditional sculptural media and a purposeful crossing of boundaries that traditionally have separated the different media areas within the visual arts.  This course will also address investigations into how materials can function as the content and main concept behind an artwork. Through discussions, readings, and projects, students will explore the cultural associations of media and processes, as well as the aesthetic and communicative possibilities of media, concept and formal relationships. 

Intermedia Sculpture provides a structure for investigations into the relationship between mediums, processes, technologies, and aesthetics.  During the semester we will address a series of concepts and approaches in art making including:

• creating artworks through the use of new technologies and the use of nontraditional art materials

• dissolving the boundaries between traditional media areas within the visual arts

• nontraditional use of established technologies, processes, and materials

• the use of materials and process as a primary force in the creation of  an artwork

The course emphasizes an interrelated understanding of the technical, the aesthetic, and the conceptual aspects of media disciplines, including the cultural associations of various processes. This course works to develop the student's ability to understand art as a means of communication and expand the student's knowledge of effective visual forms and contemporary aesthetic concepts.  This course emphasizes students’ development of their own artistic intent.

Spring semester 2008, Intermedia Sculpture has a particular focus on exploring these strategies through the affective use of  fiber, pulp and handmade paper technologies.  An important goal of the course is for each student to gain a working capability of all technical processes as per course technical demonstrations, and to gain an impressive capability with at least two of these techniques.

• No textbook is required for this course. 

• Technical information will be made available to students via demonstrations, lectures and/or written handouts posted on the Internet.

• Students will be provided reasonable access to tools and equipment to explore the techniques required by the course work. The entire class shares in the use of this equipment. The instructor will demonstrate proper use and cleaning of the equipment and tools as the course proceeds. Proper use of equipment and careful cleaning of the equipment by each individual after his/her use is essential for the long-term maintenance of the equipment and for the overall success of the class.  Misuse of the equipment by a student or not cleaning the equipment after use may result in suspension of a student’s access to said equipment.  In the event that a student’s access to equipment is suspended, he/she will need to accomplish technical processes by alternative means (such as manual processing of fibers and pulps and other hand tool methods), and will need to modify her/his project to fit this model of technical approach.

• Students will be provided with examples of different materials and the opportunity to actively sample materials from which she/he might choose to construct a project

• Students will provide the materials necessary for the construction of their artworks

• Timely completion of 3 studio assignments that fulfill course criteria

• Cohesive verbal presentation of studio artworks for group critique

• Timely completion of all additional course assignments

• Active participation in all group critiques of studio projects

• Active participation in all class discussions and technical demonstrations

• 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 task at the end of the course.

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

Grade Equivalents

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.

Satisfactory Completion and Review of Studio Pieces  
During the semester students will complete three studio assignments.  Grading of these projects will consider:                        

• The use and effective interaction of different types of media, forms, and materials as discussed in class (this will be of particular importance)

• This is an upper-division course and works produced for course work are expected to be at a certain 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

• Addressing the outlined criteria of the project

• Quality of the technical execution

• The degree of challenge the 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

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:

• At the end of the semester each student is required to signup for a cleanup task in the area in which our class has worked. Successful completion of a studio-lab-facility task at the end of the course is a requirement for the completion of the course.  This task will be reasonable and take an approximate 20 minutes to complete. A student who does not complete the agreed upon studio-lab-facility task receives a deduction of 5 points from their final grade point average.

• The nature of this type of course presents a situation wherein you may need to use studio facilities from areas outside of Sculpture/Intermedia such as the darkroom or printmaking studios.  If such is the case, please check in with me so that I can get together with the necessary teachers and explain our intentions.

• Students will be provided reasonable access to tools and equipment to explore the techniques required by the course work. The entire class shares in the use of this equipment. The instructor will demonstrate proper use and cleaning of the equipment and tools as the course proceeds. Proper use of equipment and careful cleaning of the equipment by each individual after his/her use is essential for the long-term maintenance of the equipment and for the overall success of the class. Misuse of the equipment by a student or not cleaning the equipment after use may result in suspension of a student’s access to said equipment.  In the event that a student’s access to equipment is suspended, he/she will need to accomplish technical processes by alternative means (such as manual processing of fibers and pulps and other hand tool methods), and will need to modify her/his project to fit this model of technical approach.

• During the second-class meeting, a mold and deckle unit will be assigned to each student for her/his use during the duration of the class.  Understand that by accepting the mold and deckle unit you are agreeing to take responsibility for the safe return of the equipment in the same condition in which you received it.   Molds/deckles will be collected on the last regular day of classes for the semester.  If you want to return your mold/deckle prior to that you may.  Lost or damage of the mold/deckle will require you to replace the equipment.  This is an approximate cost of $45.00.  Note: if you choose to provide your own mold/deckle unit, you have the option of declining the use of the school’s mold/deckle.

• Put away ANY AND ALL TOOLS that you use and promptly return all tools that you check out from the Tool Room.

• Sculpture / Intermedia Tools: You will be provided with the combination to several cabinets that contain some basic sculpture tools and some tools and supplies for this class. It is important that everyone remembers to lock the cabinets and close all outside doors when they leave.

• 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, or 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

If you have not been assigned a locker within the Sculpture /Intermedia area, I will assign you a locker.  This assignment is for the Spring Semester only, unless you are a major in the Sculpture /Intermedia area.  You will need to provide your own lock.

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 as well as several cupboards and storage areas specific to paper and fiber arts. 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, however, 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.

• Do not operate any of the equipment in these areas unless you have taken a course under a sculpture instructor in the Department of Art and Art History at the University of Utah and were given a procedural demonstration by the instructor on that specific piece of equipment. (other students demonstrating the procedural use of the equipment to you is not a substitute for this)

• If you need a refresher on equipment upon which you have been trained let me know

• You will be shown a number of techniques involving hand-made paper technologies.  The class members share much of the equipment used in these procedures.  Using equipment improperly or not cleaning equipment thoroughly after you has an adverse effect upon all students in the class.  If a student uses equipment improperly or does not clean equipment thoroughly after use that student will not be allowed access to the equipment.

• NEVER put dyes, pigments, sizing, methylene cellulose, or any materials other than water and fibers/pulps into the Hollander beater

NEVER leave your pulp in the Hollander beater. All pulp must be beaten directly and removed from the beater IMMEDIATELY.  A complete and thorough CLEANING of the Hollander beater immediately follows any pulping. If you do not have the time to empty your pulp from the beater and to thoroughly clean the machine immediately afterwards, then do not begin the process. Thoroughly cleaning the Hollander beater takes 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the fiber/pulp you are using.  DO NOT leave the beater dirty/ or with pulp in it while you take a break to eat, get a drink, etc. and then explain to me that you were coming back to clean up later.

 I repeat - If you do not have the time to empty your pulp from the beater, and to thoroughly clean the machine immediately afterwards, then do not begin the process.

Improper use and care of this piece of equipment will result in termination of a student’s access to the Hollander beater.

Any pulp found to be left in the Hollander beater will be disposed of.

Wood Shop:  All of the equipment in this room requires the user to be trained in safety procedures and operating methods.  To use the wood shop without supervision/ without a monitor you must first complete the course Shop Techniques in Wood at the Department of Art and Art History, University of Utah.  If you have not completed this course, but have a need to use the wood shop during our class time check in with me prior to use of any of the equipment and I will review safety with you as per your intent.