Class Syllabus:
This class is a seminar, defined as a meeting for discussion. The
artwork we see, what you’re thinking and reading about re. art’s connections to
current politics, social trends, economics, family dynamics, the environment,
globalization, issues of public vs. private—anything relating to art (even
tangentially) can be discussed in this class.
Class
Requirements and Grading: Your grade will be based on the following areas:
1. Weekly,
on-time attendance.
Any absence must be discussed with me, and you are responsible
for any information and assignments missed. Note that you should be ON TIME for
class. I will have class assignments, field trips, gallery lists, etc. posted
at wilkinsonseminar.blogspot.com. Please sign up as a follower of this website
and feel free to make posts yourself.
A good part of your grade for this class depends on classroom
participation. While it is
difficult for some people to speak in public, please understand that we need
your thoughts and comments.
2. Preparation
and class participation.
Read the web article links, and be prepared for discussion of
these, and discussion of our field trips. Your input is vital.
3. Field trips
and reviews.
Field trips will be announced (at least) the week before they
happen, and on field trip days, be aware that the class might meet at a
designated address, not necessarily in the classroom. The field trips will be
followed up the next week by classroom discussion and you will hand in a
400-500 word written review two weeks later about what was seen. There will be
three reviews due by the end of the semester—if any one is missing, it will lower
your grade, usually one grade lowered per missing review. (See the review-writing handout for more
information.)
4. Openings
and Art Events
One extra-curricular essay of a minimum of 150 words will also be due. This should be about an art gathering of some sort, such as
an art opening or lecture that happens off of the Pratt campus.
5. Artist’s
Statement
This is a vital part of every artist’s life—you will be
continually updating it for various purposes: competitions, exhibitions, grant proposals, press releases, catalogues, internet sites, etc. During the
semester there will be a tutorial on writing a 3-paragraph artist’s statement.
You will write one during that class, revise and polish it to hand out to the
class during your final presentation.
6. End of
semester oral/visual presentation with artist’s statement
There will be a 15-20 minute digitally-projected presentation by
each student at the end of the semester. You should have digital photographs of
your work that can be brought to the class on a flash drive, hard drive,
computer, or disk (flash drive preferred). This presentation will be a minimum
of 12 images including your own work and can also include the work of artists
who inspire you. You may also
refer to books, writers, philosophers and any other influences on your work.
You will also have ready an artist’s statement and have copies to hand out to
the rest of the class for reference during your presentation.
There may be a presentation on artist’s websites and online
resources at some point during the semester.
Most
information about the class will be posted on the blog (wilkinsonseminar.blogspot.com) prior to the class.
Please check it regularly.
Check
list of things to do during the semester:
___
Field trip essay 1 - 400 words
minimum
___ Field trip essay 2 - 400 words minimum
___ Field trip essay 3 - 400 words minimum
___Art
event essay – 150 words minimum
___Artist
statement and digital presentation during the last four weeks of semester –
there will be a sign-up sheet.
REVIEW SPECIFICATIONS
Three reviews, each a minimum
of 400 words, due two weeks after field trips to see artwork in NYC.
There
will be four or five field trips—you may choose which to write about.
Be
aware that each review is due two weeks after the relevant field trip,
whichever one you choose, i.e., if you write about the first field trip and
hand it in a month later, it will be considered late.
The 150 word art-event essay
is meant to be a summing up of your experience - where, what, when, who - and what you thought of it.
Emailing Policy:
I
prefer to get your reviews on paper, handed to me during class. But if you have to email me a review:
1. Put your last name and “Pratt Review”
in the title of the email.
Three
part grading process:
1. Timely completion of
assignment
Early:
+ (plus); On due
date: ok;
Late: — (minus)
2. Technical aspects (letter
grade)
Word length, Grammar, Spelling,
Composition/organization
Watch out for run-on sentences and using
non-descriptive words and superlatives like “interesting,” “powerful,”
“really,” “incredible,” “enjoyed,” etc.
As in “I really enjoyed this incredibly powerful and
interesting show.”
3. Concept/Creativity
(letter grade)
Personal (could anyone have written this?)
Descriptive (can I see the artwork in my mind?)
Connections (how does the work described relate to
other artists, writers, philosophers, trends?)
Interesting to read
Be specific. Name the artist, gallery, and artwork. Single out an artwork and discuss it; bring in specific
connections and references to individual pieces or to the body of work. Compare and contrast the artist and
artwork with other works. Read
other reviews to see how artwork is discussed and judged.
Be descriptive. What does the art look like? What are the formal qualities of the work? How does the artist use his/her
materials?
Be perceptive. What are the expressive qualities of the work—does the art
cry, yell, chat, murmur, stay silent?
Does it invite you in, push you away? Is it saying anything to you personally? Can you feel the artist in the
work? Does s/he have an agenda—political,
social, personal—that comes through the art? Do you think about the artist when you look at the work, or
is the work making its own statement?
Be accurate. Check your spelling, and
use correct grammar. If you have
any questions about your writing, or would like to polish your skills, contact
the Writing and Tutorial Center at North
Hall,
1st floor
(across from the bank),
(718) 636-3459,
wtc@pratt.edu. They are very helpful and friendly.
Avoid using the first person, as
in “I think that…”; or “It seems to me…”
Read art reviews for ideas about
how to construct your essays. There
are numerous art sites on the web and in newspapers and magazines.
Analyze, theorize, make your writing
come alive!
