Home / Teaching / Media Arts Practice I: Drawing - Collage - Mindfulness

Information and Syllabus

Media Arts Practice I:
Drawing / Collage / Mindfulness


Location: Comm 1251
Time: M W 09:00am-10:50am

Professor: Robert Spahr
Contact: rspahr@siu.edu
Office: Comm 1056B
Office Hours:
M  11:00am-12:00pm
T   01:00pm-03:00pm
W  11:00am-12:00pm
R   01:00pm-03:00pm
& by appointment

Teaching Assistant: An S.
Contact: andrew.schnur@siu.edu
Office: NMC
Office Hours: F 3:00-5:00pm

Course Syllabus Location: http://www.robertspahr.com/map1/

Course Information:
Media Arts Practice I
Session: Drawing / Collage / Mindfulness


Required Text:

* All required readings will be available online. *


Suggested Text:

Gunaratana, Bhante. Mindfulness in Plain English
Wisdom Publications; Anniversary edition (September 6, 2011)


Description:

Drawing is the act of making marks on a two-dimensional surface, and as a practice it can cultivate mindfulness.

Collage is an artistic composition resulting from an assemblage of different forms, thus creating a new whole. A collage may sometimes include magazine and newspaper clippings, ribbons, paint, bits of colored or handmade papers, portions of other artwork or texts, photographs and other found objects, glued to a surface such as a piece of paper or canvas.

Mindfulness refers to a psychological state of a moment-to-moment awareness of one's experience without judgment.

In this course we will use the principles of visual organization such as negative space, balance, harmony, proportion, and movement, among others to explore a state of mindful awareness while drawing and creating collage. This is not about creating the 'perfect drawing' or 'perfect collage', but instead becoming mindful of the experience and process of creating and doing. It is through this awareness that students will enhance their own creativity.

We will learn about ourselves, our place in the world and our moment in time. We will explore the process of creativity, and dissolve the divide that often separates life from art. Each week will include a guided drawing session as well as philosophical discussion structured around one of the principles of visual organization.


Objectives:

  • Increase skills of observation and hand-eye coordination through exercises in contour drawing, value drawing, perspective, rendering, composition and collage.
  • Develop technical skills for creating and analyzing drawings and collage using the principles of visual organization and the elements of art: line, value, shape/volume, texture and color.
  • Develop mindfulness and an awareness of the creative process as it applies to the arts and everyday life.

Syllabus:

# Syllabus is subject to change with notice. #
Please bring your drawing supplies to every class.


SESSION ONE

Aug 16
Introduction to Media Arts Practice I
What is Drawing, Collage and Mindfulness?

REPETITION and ANOMALY

Resources:
Principles of Visual Organization (PDF)

Art Walk
We will walk across campus to Morris Library, stopping to observe nature and architecture looking for examples of the elements of art and the principles of visual organization.

Sidewalk Residue
Using sidewalk chalk, the class will make a collaborative drawing on campus walkways around Morris Library. Find a dark shape on the pavement (such as gum, oil or dirt), and using the chalk draw a duplicate shape approximately 1/2" away. Repeat this as many times as you wish.

Aug 18
VALUE and POSITIVE / NEGATIVE SPACE

Read:
Suzuki: Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind - excerpts 'Beginner's Mind' & 'Control'

View:
William Kentridge – ‘Art Must Defend the Uncertain’, 06:09
Max Ernst - Drawings using Frottage (Rubbings), 04:34

Homework:
Write a Sketchbook Self-Reflection and create a Self-Portrait Drawing / Collage. Your writing and drawing should build upon your investigations this week and further explore one of the following principles of visual organization: Repetition and Anomaly, Value, Positive / Negative Space. Due at the beginning of next class.

Aug 23
BALANCE, HARMONY and UNITY

Aug 25
TEXTURE, VARIETY and VARIATION

View:
David Lynch - Meditation, Creativity, Peace; Official Documentary, 01:10:57

To be viewed in class:
Blue Velvet (1986) Opening Scene

Homework:
Write a Sketchbook Self-Reflection and create a Self-Portrait Drawing / Collage. Your writing and drawing should build upon your investigations this week and further explore one of the following principles of visual organization: Balance, Harmony, Unity, Texture, Variety and Variation. Due at the beginning of next class.

Aug 30
PERSPECTIVE, PROPORTION and SCALE

Sep 01
COLOR

Lecture Notes:
Introduction to Color (PDF)

Final Project discussion and planning

View:
Agnes Martin | TateShots, 7:37

Read:
Wikipedia: Agnes Martin
Agnes Martin: The Untroubled Mind, 1972

Homework:
Write a Sketchbook Self-Reflection and create a Self-Portrait Drawing / Collage. Your writing and drawing should build upon your investigations this week and further explore one of the following principles of visual organization: Perspective, Proportion / Scale, Color. Due at the beginning of next class.

Sep 08
COUNTER MAPPING

Sep 13
WORKSHOP 1: TACTICAL MEDIA

Sep 14
Visiting Artists: The Yes Men - public lecture

Sep 15
YES MEN WORKSHOP

Sep 20
FINAL PROJECT CRITIQUE
Final project is due.



Field Trip

St. Louis Art Museum & Contemporary Art Museum
Saturday November 6th, leaving SIU at 8:00am and returning at 6:00pm



SESSION TWO

Sep 22
Introduction to Media Arts Practice I
What is Drawing, Collage and Mindfulness?

REPETITION and ANOMALY

Resources:
Principles of Visual Organization (PDF)

Art Walk
We will walk across campus to Morris Library, stopping to observe nature and architecture looking for examples of the elements of art and the principles of visual organization.

Sidewalk Residue
Using sidewalk chalk, the class will make a collaborative drawing on campus walkways around Morris Library. Find a dark shape on the pavement (such as gum, oil or dirt), and using the chalk draw a duplicate shape approximately 1/2" away. Repeat this as many times as you wish.

Sep 27
VALUE and POSITIVE / NEGATIVE SPACE

Read:
Suzuki: Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind - excerpts 'Beginner's Mind' & 'Control'

View:
William Kentridge – ‘Art Must Defend the Uncertain’, 06:09
Max Ernst - Drawings using Frottage (Rubbings), 04:34

Homework:
Write a Sketchbook Self-Reflection and create a Self-Portrait Drawing / Collage. Your writing and drawing should build upon your investigations this week and further explore one of the following principles of visual organization: Repetition and Anomaly, Value, Positive / Negative Space. Due at the beginning of next class.

Sep 29
BALANCE, HARMONY and UNITY

Oct 04
TEXTURE, VARIETY and VARIATION

View:
David Lynch - Meditation, Creativity, Peace; Official Documentary, 01:10:57

To be viewed in class:
Blue Velvet (1986) Opening Scene

Homework:
Write a Sketchbook Self-Reflection and create a Self-Portrait Drawing / Collage. Your writing and drawing should build upon your investigations this week and further explore one of the following principles of visual organization: Balance, Harmony, Unity, Texture, Variety and Variation. Due at the beginning of next class.

Oct 06
PERSPECTIVE, PROPORTION and SCALE

Oct 11
COLOR

Resources:
Introduction to Color (PDF)

Final Project discussion and planning

View:
Agnes Martin | TateShots, 7:37

Read:
Wikipedia: Agnes Martin
Agnes Martin: The Untroubled Mind, 1972

Homework:
Write a Sketchbook Self-Reflection and create a Self-Portrait Drawing / Collage. Your writing and drawing should build upon your investigations this week and further explore one of the following principles of visual organization: Perspective, Proportion / Scale, Color. Due at the beginning of next class.

Oct 13
COUNTER MAPPING

Oct 18
WORKSHOP: DIGITAL CAMERA OBSCURA

Oct 20
WORKSHOP: DIGITAL CAMERA OBSCURA

Oct 25
FINAL PROJECT CRITIQUE
Final project is due.



SESSION THREE


Oct 27
Introductions,
What is Drawing, Collage and Mindfulness?

REPETITION and ANOMALY

Resources:
Principles of Visual Organization (PDF)

Art Walk
Walking together outside, we will stop to observe nature and architecture looking for examples of the elements of art and the principles of visual organization.

Sidewalk Residue
Using sidewalk chalk, the class will make a collaborative drawing on campus walkways around Morris Library. Find a dark shape on the pavement (such as gum, oil or dirt), and using the chalk draw a duplicate shape approximately 1/2" away. Repeat this as many times as you wish.

Homework:
Write a Sketchbook Self-Reflection and create a Self-Portrait Drawing / Collage. Your writing and drawing should build upon your investigations this week and further explore one of the principles of visual organization. Due at the beginning of next class.

Nov 01
VALUE and POSITIVE / NEGATIVE SPACE

Nov 03
BALANCE, HARMONY and UNITY

Homework:
Write a Sketchbook Self-Reflection and create a Self-Portrait Drawing / Collage. Your writing and drawing should build upon your investigations this week and further explore one of the principles of visual organization. Due at the beginning of next class.

Nov 08
PERSPECTIVE, TEXTURE, VARIETY and VARIATION

Nov 10
PROPORTION and SCALE

Final Project Assigned
COUNTER MAPPING
Final Project: Counter Mapping

Homework:
Write a Sketchbook Self-Reflection and create a Self-Portrait Drawing / Collage. Your writing and drawing should build upon your investigations this week and further explore one of the principles of visual organization. Due at the beginning of next class.

Nov 15
COLOR

Nov 17
COUNTER MAPPING CRITIQUE
COUNTER MAPPING - Version One is due.

Homework:
Write a Sketchbook Self-Reflection and create a Self-Portrait Drawing / Collage. Your writing and drawing should build upon your investigations this week and further explore one of the principles of visual organization. Due at the beginning of next class.

Nov 20 - Nov 28
Thanksgiving Break

Nov 29
COUNTER MAPPING CRITIQUE
COUNTER MAPPING - Version Two is due.

Dec 01
Large Group Critique
Location: Northlight Studio

Friday Dec 10 - 8:00am-10am - University Scheduled Final
We will NOT meet face-to-face.

Written Reflection on Media Arts Practice I
Please submit by email a one page reflection on your experience in Media Arts Practice I. The following thought questions can use as a prompt for your written response.
View the Thought Questions


Projects

Drawing Exercises
Students will increase their skills of observation and eye-hand coordination through exercises in contour drawing, value drawing, perspective, rendering, composition and colage. We will use the principles of visual organization and the elements of art: line, value, shape/volume, texture and color, to develop drawing and design skills as well as a mindful awareness of the creative process as it applies to the visual arts and everyday life.

Self-Portraits
Each week as a homework assignment, students will create a self-portrait using drawing and collage. This ongoing investigation will continue to explore the idea of self, incorporating ideas, concepts and techniques from each weeks class.

Final Project: 'Image / Book / Object'
Using drawing and collage students will create a large 'Image / Book / Object' that allows for audience engagement and interactivity. Further details will be discussed in class.


Supply List (required)

Please bring these drawing supplies to every class.

Newsprint drawing pad 18" x 24"
Pad of white drawing paper 18" x 24"
Kneaded eraser
Pink or gum eraser
Vine or willow charcoal
Compressed charcoal

Supply List (suggested)

Container for drawing materials (such as a small fishing tackle box)
Drawing board at least 18" x 24"
Large bulldog clips (at least 2) for holding paper to drawing board
India ink
Bamboo ink brush
Masking tape
Charcoal pencils - 6B, 2B, and HB
Graphite pencils - 6B, 2B, and HB
Hand pencil sharpener or small utility knife (such as an Olfa or X-Acto)
Set of oil pastels (at least 8 colors, including white)


Evaluation:

The work in this course requires motivation, exploration, risk-taking, and most importantly, an openness to new ideas. The grading policy of this class is meant to encourage you to explore new ideas and take chances. Do not think in terms of "What must I do to receive an A grade", but think in terms of what you would like to learn.

Attendance: Attendance to all classes is expected. You are allowed up to ONE unexcused absences. Unexcused absence beyond this threshold may result in failing this course.

Assignments: All assignments and projects are due at the beginning of class. Late projects will not be accepted.

Critique: Students will work closely with each other to develop their projects. This includes learning to speak clearly expressing oneself when respectfully discussing their own and others artwork.

Sketchbook / Journal: Each student will regularly create a Sketchbook Self-Reflection that is a response their weekly drawing investigations as well as the more philosophical discussions structured around one of the principles of visual organization as they relate to art and life. Students should also document their creative process and artistic development within the sketchbook. Think of the sketchbook as a resource to contain your present ideas and hints of future directions to explore.

Grading:

A 95-100,   A- 92-95
Outstanding work.
Solution shows excellent depth of understanding and innovation. The solution has been fully developed in form and concept.

B+ 88-91,   B 85-87,   B- 82-84
Good work.
Solution exceeds all requirements and shows above average depth of understanding. Demonstrates more than adequate clarity of idea and execution.

C+ 78-81,   C 75-77,   C- 72-74
Average work.
Problem has been solved adequately, but the solution lacks depth of understanding, development and innovation.

D+ 68-71,   D 65-67,   D- 62-64
Poor work.
Solution is extremely weak and lacks understanding and innovation. Technical skills are weak.

F 61 or less
Unacceptable work.
Solution to the problem is unresolved and incomplete resulting in a failing grade.


Each Project will be graded on artistic, creative and intellectual merit.

Grades will be based on the following:

  • 20% Originality of concept
  • 20% Delivery (execution of the concept)
  • 20% Documentation / Process
  • 20% Craft
  • 20% Critique & participation

Your final grade will be determined by the following:

  • 50% Drawing Exercises
  • 20% Self-Portraits
  • 10% Sketchbook Self-Reflections
  • 20% Final Project


COVID-19

Masks are required on the SIUC campus and in our classrooms. We will follow the mandated guidelines established by the university. Should the conditions change and we need to work remotely, I will work on transitioning our class to a hybrid online format. Further information on the SIU policy on COVID-19: https://siu.edu/coronavirus/



SIU Syllabus Attachment

SIU Syllabus Attachment - Fall '21 - PDF