Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Thursday 4/25

For class this thursday we will be meeting at 6:30 sharp at the Platform Gallery in Pioneer Square for a walk through with the gallery director Stephen Lyons.

He will give a talk about the show that is currently up, work by the artist Matt Sellars, and will field questions regarding the show or how galleries work in general.

Come prepared to take notes and ask questions. You will be expected to write a blog post about the talk.


Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Artist Statement Template

Dear Class,

For your artist statements, please use the template below:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B2lRb52TvANeaXV4dldpaFNKelU/edit?usp=sharing

Statements emailed to louis (lwatts@cornish.edu) that do not use this template will not be accepted.



Monday, April 8, 2013

Important Deadlines for this week

Drop off of work
When: Tomorrow, Tuesday from 10:30 - Noon
Where: Downstairs in front of the gallery

REMEMBER: When you drop off your work bring a completed final show turn in form 
Also: Your work must have hanging hardware
Also: Your videos must be on a looped dvd

Artist Statements
Your artist statements must be emailed to louis, lwatts@cornish.edu, by Thursday 8pm.
Your email must have: "Artist Statement (Your Name)" as the subject
Your statement must be attached in a word doc.

I will be around (downstairs in front of the gallery) Wednesday at 5pm to receive work from students whom I have specifically spoken to. If you have a last minute debacle and need this extra time it is available as long as you email me before the dropoff tomorrow morning. 

Any students who want me to look over their artist statements can meet me on Wednesday at 5pm and I will work with you for ten minutes to help you edit your statement.

Best,
Robert


Monday, March 25, 2013

Exhibition Updates


Freshman (and included awesome sophomores) Exhibition

Work Drop Off Info:
When:  Tuesday, April 8th 10:30am - Noon
Where: Cornish Main Gallery

Reception: Thursday April 18th, 5-7pm

Important Updates for Thursday and Friday!!

1. Class this thursday night is OPTIONAL. Consider it an FRL night.

2. This friday afternoon (10am - Noon) MANDATORY walk through of the senior studios.

It is a Cornish tradition for the freshman to get involved in the senior thesis show and this is the first part. The second part will take place between Monday April 22nd and Wednesday May 1st. Groups of 12-15 students will work together in the senior studios building prepping the show at one of the following times (we will address signing up for time slots next week):
      Monday April 22  10-noon
      Tuesday April 23 2-4
      Wednesday April 24 2-4
      Monday April 29  10-noon
      Tuesday April 30  2-4
      Wednesday May 1  2-4


Sunday, March 10, 2013

Independent Project


independent project 2013  

cluster 7 & 8
OVERVIEW
As you begin developing this project, it is suggested that you stay as open as possible to how you might work with your ideas. The more time you spend developing your concept, the more successful your project will be. This project is a continuation of a conceptual investigation you have already begun or one that you have discovered through previous work, this year. The project is also an experiment in bringing more than one “studio” process together to realize your conceptual inquiry.
An important part of this project is the opportunity to review what you have learned/experienced during your freshman year. As you are choosing your objectives, consider the projects you’ve completed throughout core. Which ideas or methodologies (ways of working) have been personally significant to you? How have you taken these projects and made them your own? How might you revisit something you have previously tackled? Some things you might reconsider are:
the relationship between subject matter and meaning
the relationship between concept and materials/process
an idea you have worked with that might benefit from a new approach  
a combination of processes that has suggested a particular concept  
an unlikely juxtaposition between ideas and/or processes
GOALS
define a specific question that will inform your project
write an effective project proposal/statement
develop and stick to project calendar
revisit and push further an idea/technique/process/methodology
bring together concept, craft and formal design in a meaningful way
gather input from the Cornish community
research and critical thinking throughout process
documentation of work and working process
take risks in service of a great project

COMPONENTS  cluster 7
IDEATION: This project begins with an open mind. Several ways of generating ideas will be introduced. The expectation is that you will explore several possibilities before settling on a course of inquiry.
PROCESS/SKETCH BOOK: this is the place you will both work through ideas to discover what you want to work with and develop your chosen idea. You may want to keep a separate drawing book to keep track of your project.
PLANNING: Discuss ideas frequently and critically with instructor, using your sketches and notations as the basis for the discussions. This is a visual project, and the more examples/samples you provide (as a framework for your concept) the more effective our communication will be towards the project development. Individual discussions are scheduled at regular intervals--most likely during each studio sessions. Instructors will also available for conferences by appointment.
RESEARCH: Projects always require research. It is important to look at other artists’ works which can provide a foundation for your own investigations. Often technical/material research is required. In addition, ideas and concepts are enriched by the deeper knowledge and understanding gained by research. This research should be documented in process book/ blog.
READING AND WRITING: Specific reading/writing assignments will be given. In addition, you will be giving yourself personalized reading/writing assignments as part of your research and project development.
PRESENTATION: includes presentation board and concept drawing or maquette.
CONCEPT DRAWING/MAQUETTE: taking cues from the work of Jon Gerlich and other presented artists, create a “finished” conceptual drawing or maquette to prepare for your project. See vocabulary list below.
PRESENTATION BOARD – 16” x 20” board must include the following:
relevant construction samples and/or drawings
inspiration photos
paragraph detailing research
paragraph detailing concept
bibliography of source material (both web and library)
COMPONENTS  cluster 8
INPUT: You will schedule at least one meeting with another faculty member to discuss your project (this will require your making an appointment). There will also be opportunities for peer input.
STUDIO WORK: Work in the studio for every full class and on your own time. Again, the studio is a collective experience, and even if we are not meeting in a formalized way, it is vital that you are present and active in your practice. If your work takes you out of the studio, please make prior arrangements with your instructor. Be open to changes in your initial concept. Allow the materials and processes that you are using to speak with their own voices in your work, developing a conversation. During the project, it is expected that your work will go through changes--some perhaps very dramatic. This may come about because of conceptual development, technical concerns, or logistics, but if you have a steady work schedule set in place, and are committed to your process, change may be a very positive experience.  To change because you can’t find something to stick to will set you back to the beginning every time.  Commitment to a program and an allowance of change go hand in hand.
DISPLAY: An exhibition of your work to be shown in the Cornish Gallery week of April 15th with a soft opening on Saturday April 13th. The exhibition will be curated, designed and promoted by the Gallery Curator, Faculty & Studio Supervisor and installed by you.
VOCABULARY
cartoon (from Italian cartone and Dutch karton) full sized drawing made on sturdy paper as a study for a 2 dimensional work.
concept art – illustration with the main goal of conveying a visual representation of a design, idea, and/or mood for use in film, animation, video art, comic books, etc.
maquette (French) – small scale model or rough draft for an architectural or sculptural work
modello (Italian) –preparatory study or model, usually smaller scale, for work of art or architecture
sketch (from Greek schedios) - a rapidly executed freehand drawing that is not usually intended as a finished work,  one purpose being to develop ideas for later use. 

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Interesting Vs. Good

Apropos of our conversation in critique, here is the writing I mentioned:

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B2lRb52TvANeSXZwZF8tY0ltbU0/edit?usp=sharing

It is a difficult read and is by no means required. However, if you are curious to learn more about the difference between "interesting" and "good" or "beautiful" as values, and more so what those values tell us about ourselves, then it is a great text to read and think about.