Understanding Contemporary Art: Developing Personal Practice (10 credit points)

Special Information

Materials you will need to bring to the first class:

• One sketchbook (A5/A4/A3 size)

• Charcoal, pencils and eraser

• Cartridge paper

In addition to the course fee, students are expected to provide the following list of indicative tools, materials and equipment:

• Sketchbooks, which can be either A5 / A4 /A3 size (more than one is advisable)

• Charcoal, pencils, eraser, and coloured drawing materials (e.g. pastels or chalks)

• Drawing ink and pen

• Masking tape, one-sided card, cartridge paper

• Acrylic paints (or oil paints), selection of brushes, sponge, roller, rags

Content of Course

Over the class sessions the course will cover:

1. Introduction to aspects of visual culture such as modernism and postmodernism.

2. Visual research drawing through sketchbooks and/or written journals.

3. Understanding research methodologies and how they translate into contemporary art practice.

4. Developing appropriate personal research strategies.

5. Demonstrate an ability to undertake critical and appropriate self-directed research.

6. Planning, development and fulfilment of personal projects.

7. Exploring contemporary approaches to art through critical engagement.

8. Contextual understanding of modern and contemporary art through gallery visits.

9. Develop a capacity to expand critical and self-reflective practice through participation in group discussion.

10. Understanding of professional practice and participation in exhibition of work.

Teaching method(s)

The teaching will be based and delivered in specialist art and design studios or workshops and will typically include a range of practical exercises, introductions to techniques, processes and concepts, and set projects which lead to more focused and personal exploration. Over the course, students’ progress will be monitored and supported by the tutor.  Teaching will include practical demonstrations, one to one tuition, group discussions and critiques.

For work required to be undertaken after the class hours are complete, the course tutor will set students a ‘directed study plan’ which can be undertaken without the need for specialist workshops or access to models.

Directed study will include research into a range of suggested artists and their associated movements to engender a contextual awareness. Students are expected to demonstrate how their research has informed their work through annotated sketchbooks, a visual digital journal and practical outcomes. 

The Directed Study Plan will include preparing evidence of research and practical work to form an appropriate presentation for assessment.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Demonstrate a range of personal research strategies, showing a critical understanding off, and engagement with modern and contemporary art practices through contextual and personal research.

• Show an appropriate use of personal research enquiry, strategies and processes to communicate visual ideas, evidencing a meaningful understanding of contemporary art practices, which relates to a personal and relevant context.

• Evidence an understanding of exhibiting work in a context, communicating ideas to a wider audience and showing independent judgment in the documentation and presentation of research, selection and editing of visual images.

Sources

Core Readings

Recommended:

• HATHERLY, O. (2009), Militant Modernism, Zero Books

• SULLIVAN, G. (2010), Art Practice as Research, Inquiry in Visual Arts, SAGE Publications

• EDWARDS, E. & WOOD, P. (2013), Art & Visual Culture 1850 - 2010: Modernity to Globalisation, Tate Publishing

• BOULLTA, K. (2008), Belonging and Globalisation: Critical Essays in Contemporary Art and Culture, SAQI

• THOMPSON, N. (2012), Living as Form: Socially Engaged Art from 1991-2011, MIT Press

• SMITH, T. (2009), What is Contemporary Art? University of Chicago Press

• MEYER, R. (2013), What Was Contemporary Art? MIT Press

Journal and periodicals:

• http://www.artandresearch.org.uk/v4n1/backissues.php

Web Sources

http://www.tate.org.uk/learn/online-resources/glossary/m/modernism

http://arthistoryresources.net/modernism/roots.html

Assessment

Details of the Art and Design assessment requirements can be found on the short course website. Please click on the following link for more information: Submission and Assessment Information

Studying for Credit

If you choose to study for credit you will need to allocate significant time outwith classes for coursework and assessment preparation. Credit points gained from this course can count towards the Certificate of Higher Education.

Queries

If you have questions regarding the course or enrolment, please contact COL Reception at Paterson's Land by email COL@ed.ac.uk or by phone 0131 650 4400.

Student support

If you have a disability, learning difficulty or health condition which may affect your studies, please let us know by ticking the 'specific support needs' box on your course application form. This will allow us to make appropriate adjustments in advance and in accordance with your rights under the Equality Act 2010. For more information please visit the Student Support section of our website.