Instructor: Professor Joseph Delappe
T/Th 1:00-3:15pm
in CFA 207
Office: CFA 158
Office
Hours: T/Th 11:00am to 12:30pm
Email: delappe@unr.edu
Credit(s):
3
Investigation
and creation of audio and image production for the studio artist. Creation of
experimental audio and video works for performance and installation.
Prerequisite(s):
ART 245.
Course Objectives:
In this class we will explore the creation and history of artworks in
sound, visual art, and across disciplines. Through the use of analog and
digital systems students will engage with experimental approaches culminating
in exhibitions for physical and online space. Working independently and
collaboratively students will explore software and hardware systems to produce
original interdisciplinary works for contexts including: mobile devices, vinyl
records, live performance, video projections, gallery installation, and online
delivery. The objective is to creatively explore the implications and
possibilities of time based media for interaction and display.
Student Learning Outcomes:
•Upon successful completion of this course, students will be
able to perform intermediate competencies utilizing digital software and
hardware systems for practice-based creative research, leading to the
development of exploratory models for learning and production in experimental
digital art.
•Students will apply analog and computer-based systems for
creative production in a studio setting, including intermediate problem solving
utilizing: digital video, digital sound, installation and projected video.
•Students will examine and discuss critical issues and practices
in the areas of digital media and interdisciplinary practices in the visual
arts.
•Students will articulate an
intermediate level of knowledge of critical theory and practices in the areas
of sound, video and interactive art.
•Students will demonstrate experiential
competency in sound and video art for public contexts.
•Students will apply, in discussion,
critiques and written work, concepts central to experimental digital media
practices.
•Students will develop a proficiency in
writing about their creative practice and others while learning best practices
for basic website/blog development.
Course Content:
This course will involve a hands on,
balanced investigation of the history and practices surrounding sound and image
within public environments. The course will function to provide students the
opportunity to work through structured projects and those conceptualized
through a challenging process of problem solving and implementation of complex,
technology based artworks. Throughout the course activities we will seek to
incorporate the utilization of the computer and related technologies. This
course emphasizes the personal and group development of critical thinking,
artistic and technical skills. Readings, screenings and discussions will be
used to further expand the student’s exposure to and understanding of sound and
video as crucial areas of expression available to the contemporary
artist.
Course Structure:
Students will be working on a series of individual and group projects
each lasting between 1-3 weeks. We
will as well, over the entire course of the term, work to explore artworks both
contemporary and historical to continue developing a contextual and critical
understanding of the evolving field of art, technology and social practice as
specifically related to experimental uses of sound and video.
Course Philosophy:
The
Digital Media program exists as part of the larger Art Studio program for the
Department of Art – all studio programs currently focus on the development of a
contemporary approach to studio art practice and theory. The program emphasizes an artistic,
experimental and technical approach to learning to utilize media systems as
tools for the facilitation of socially engaged art. The intent is to provide an
intensive learning environment that considers new technologies as broadly
flexible tools available to the contemporary artist. The Digital Media program and this course
emphasizes a creative model that is based on collaboration, dialogue and cooperative learning.
This
is a thoroughly hands-on course. You will learn in this class by doing –
students will be given broad introductions to a variety of applications and
devices as incorporated into their project assignments. Learning to use these
complex graphics programs, online technologies and computer peripherals takes
much dedication of time and a flexible attitude towards experiential practice
and learning. Learning to become
proficient utilizing new technologies is accomplished through both individual
and shared experience. What you derive
from this class in terms of technical learning will largely be defined by the
amount of time you spend exploring and experimenting.
Finally,
you will be challenged constantly to consider just what you are doing with
these new tools to connect with our larger context. This course seeks to
develop an alternative pedagogy for learning just what it means to be an artist
in our contemporary time and place.
Techniques:
You will be introduced to the following
basic programs and systems:
Looping mobile audio
, Soundtrack and/or Audacity,
Finalcut Pro and/or Adobe Premier, digital cameras, .mov file and DVD creation
for projections, monitors, and online distribution.
We will as well be
incorporating various physical tools for production, including but not limited
to: laser cutter and various shop tools.
Readings:
Assigned
readings will be provided as pdf files or through online links. There is no
textbook for this course
Course Requirements:
• Each student will complete all
assigned class projects. Project documentation will be uploaded and
accessible to the instructor and students on individual student blogs. Students
will also exhibit their works for the class during group critiques, and many of
these works will be exhibited on a larger public scale within the art department,
university and local public spaces as needed.
• Students are expected to participate
in class critiques of works, both completed and in progress. As the term
evolves, we will orient towards weekly progress critiques. Talking about your
work and others is a crucial aspect of creating art. Learning to articulate
what your work is about is just as important as the actual making of the work.
The ideas shared in an open critique will help us all learn from each other and
greatly increase our ability to understand our creative practice.
• Attendance is mandatory at all
scheduled class meetings. If you are to be absent for any reason please contact
me via email the day of the class that you are missing.
• Supplies:
Smart phone, External
Storage Device, etc. – we will talk about this further in class (ALWAYS BACK UP
YOUR WORK!).
• Artist Statements: You will be writing
artist’s statements regarding your projects. These are to be posted to your
blog along with associated project documentation (sound files, video files,
etc).
• Required Outside Lectures: Each
student is required to attend two approved lectures and two outside
exhibition/performance/film-screening, these are regularly announced in class.
I will provide you with a list of approved events both on campus and off. You
are required to write a one page critical summary of each event and two
questions to ask the speaker (extra credit will be given to those who actually
ask their question at the event!).
• Lecture/Lab Component: Lecture periods
will be devoted to presentations, demonstrations, reading discussions, and
critiques. Students are required to work at minimum an additional 6 hours per
week of work outside of the scheduled class times (studio production, reading
assignments, etc.)
Computer Access:
Ours
is a streamlined, small computer and media arts laboratory with a limited
number of student workstations. In light
of this situation and specifically in recognition of the fact that we cannot
provide a workstation for each student during scheduled class times, we will be
working from a lecture/lab model that requires that the majority of your work
is to be completed outside of our scheduled lecture class periods. Students should expect to complete their work
during our lab/studio days and during after hours access to our lab. All
student projects are to be completed during available lab hours in the Digital
Media Studio, on your own computers or in the Knowledge Center’s Dynamic Media
Lab.
The
media lab of the Knowledge Center’s Dynamic Media Lab as well has capable staff
on site to assist students.
You
will be assigned a digital access code for after-hours access to the Digital
Media Studio by the end of the second week of the term.
Grading:
Grading:
Students will be graded according to how well their projects reflect an
understanding and a willingness to experiment with the techniques, issues and
practices covered in class.
If
a student chooses to not turn in an assignment, the student will earn a ZERO
(0) for the assignment.
NO LATE WORKS ARE ACCEPTED!
•Grades
for the critiques based on quality of work, evidence of time spent, attainment
of project goals, articulation of your processes, responses to others work,
etc.
•Grades
for projects based on creativity, exploration, and a willingness to engage with
readings and concepts discussed in class.
•Grades
for blog based on clarity of writing, quality of responses, number and quality
of images, organization composition and quality of design.
•In
class participation grades based upon attendance, notes required for medical
excuses.
Grades
on reviews based on clarity of description of event, concise critique and
analysis, original thoughts and appropriately intellectual responses.
Grading Rubric
•60% Studio Projects - 600 pts
•20% Participation/critiques,
discussions. - 200 pts (15 weeks x 10 pts per week+
50pts engagement)
•20% Written lecture and
exhibition reviews. - 200
pts (4 reviews x 25 pts ea)
Total points: 1000
A
= 1000-900
B
= 899-800
C
= 799-700
D
= 699-600
F
= 599-000
I
will meet with each of you individually at the midterm to discuss your progress
in the class and provide advising regarding the Digital Media program. You will
receive written comments and a grade for each project.
The
“+” and “-“ system will be used for grading.
http://www.unr.edu/provost/curriculum-central/curricula-forms-and-guidelines/syllabus-guidelines/nshe-grading-policy
Policy on Attendance
Absences
There are no official absences from any university
class. It is the personal responsibility of the student to consult with the
professor regarding absence from class. In the event that a student misses a class
because of an official university function or event or because of serious
personal considerations, the Office of the Associate Vice President for Student
Life Services may, at its discretion, send an explanation to the instructor
involved or to the faculty in general. The instructor shall make the final
determination on whether the missed work can be done at a time other than
during the regularly scheduled class period.
Religious Holy Days: It is the policy of NSHE to be
sensitive to the religious obligations of its students. Any student missing
classes, quizzes, examinations or any other class or lab work because of
observance of religious holy days will, whenever possible, be given an
opportunity during that semester to make up the missed work. The make-up work
will apply to the religious holy day absence only. It shall be the
responsibility of the student to notify the instructor in advance in writing,
if the student intends to participate in a religious holy day which does not
fall on state holidays or periods of class recess. This policy shall not apply
in the event that administering the assignment at an alternate time would
impose an undue hardship on the instructor or the institution which could not
reasonably have been avoided.
Policy on Academic Dishonesty:
"Cheating,
plagiarism or otherwise obtaining grades under false pretenses" constitute
academic dishonesty according to the code of this university. Academic
dishonesty will not be tolerated and penalties can include canceling a
student's enrollment without a grade, giving an F for the course or for the
assignment.
For more details, see the University General Catalog.
Policy on Disability:
If
you have a disability and will be requiring assistance, please contact me or
the Disability Resource Center (Thompson Building Suite 100) as soon as
possible to arrange for appropriate accommodations.
Academic Success Services:
Your
student fees cover usage of the Math Center (784-4433 or
www.unr.edu/mathcenter/), Tutoring Center (784-6801 or www.unr.edu/tutoring/),
and University Writing Center (784-6030 or http://www.unr.edu/writing_center/.
These centers support your classroom learning; it is your responsibility to
take advantage of their services. Keep in mind that seeking help outside of
class is the sign of a responsible and successful student.
Statement on Audio and Video
Recording:
“Surreptitious or covert video-taping of class or unauthorized audio recording
of class is prohibited by law and by Board of Regents policy. This class may be
videotaped or audio recorded only with the written permission of the
instructor. In order to accommodate students with disabilities, some students
may be given permission to record class lectures and discussions. Therefore,
students should understand that their comments during class may be recorded.”
