This practice-based course introduces students to the field of art & design by investigating dif- ferent strategies and means of visual language. The course in roughly divided into two projects; it is research- driven and process-based.
Students will start by mapping their immediate context: their home, the classroom/studio, and the city through collecting, drawing, photography and writing. What does our surrounding con- sist of, and how can we record it in a novel way? Furthermore we will experiment to shape the collected material into meaningful visual narratives. Which story needs to be told, and to whom? How can we connect images with words, how can we edit, arrange this material in an engaging manner? Can we transform familiar objects by looking at them from a different perspective?
While the first part of the course focuses on experimenting with different visual media (drawing, collage, photography, creative writing), the second half is focusses on learning to address an audience. Students will develop an individual project and will be asked to think how they want to show, and communicate their work. This project will be presented in a public exhibition at the end of the semester, which will involve a degree of group work.
We will work from short, practical assignments, in which you will be encouraged to develop your observations into a distinctive visual signature / language, and to develop a productive work rhythm. As a guideline, a variety of historic and contemporary artist practices will be introduced in class; additional input will be given in the form of guest lectures and an excursion.
- Teacher: Marc Nagtzaam