Integrative Studio 1 - Fall '24
{ synced with New Media Now and Media Arts Practice I }
Professor: Robert Spahr, MFA
Contact: rspahr@siu.edu
Office: Comm 1056B
Office Hours:
W 01:00pm-04:00pm
R 01:00pm-04:00pm
& by appointment
Professor: Leah Sutton, MFA
Contact: leah.sutton@siu.edu
Office: COMM 1112
Office Hours:
M 01:00-03:00pm
T 02:00-04:00pm
W 01:00-03:00pm
& by appointment
Location: Northlight Studio (Comm 1251)
Time: F 09:00am-11:50am
Course Syllabus Location: https://www.robertspahr.com/studio1/
Course Information:
Spahr - CIN 341 Integrative Studio I - 001 - 64571
Sutton - CIN 341 Integrative Studio I - 002 - 65911
Required Text:
* All required readings will be available online. *
Description:
School of Media Arts First-Year Curriculum
Your first year at the School of Media Arts is a time of exploration and discovery as you develop
your creative process, critical thinking, communication and collaboration skills. The two semesters
of foundation courses immerse you in the making of media arts, as well as media arts history and
theory resulting in the development of your critical practice as you learn to better reflect on your
studio work. All students in the School of Media Arts follow a first-year curriculum, which
provides a rigorous and exciting course of study, exposing you to a range of art, design and media
practices which will be the foundational support for your entire education and your creative life
after graduation.
Integrative Studio 1
In this course we will explore the process of creativity as we look to dissolve the divide that often separates art from life. We will consider what we make, how we make it, and we will ask why? How do we generate and capture ideas? How can our research become part of this process? Through individual and collaborative group activities you will engage in a series of media projects that ask you to experiment, visualize, question, look, listen, play, fail, iterate, and reflect. This course is linked to other courses in the Foundations Curriculum: Media Arts Practice I and New Media Now. In particular, we've designed Thursdays in CIN 361: New Media Now to resonate directly with Fridays in CIN 341: Integrative Studio I.
Bridging Theory and Practice
CIN 341 Integrative Studio 1 is part of a unique sequence of courses that includes CIN 301 Media Arts Practice I and CIN 361 New Media Now. These three courses bridge theory and practice as students complete projects which connects their studio practice and their scholarly research. Our shared goal is to integrate making, writing, and reflecting essential components of the creative process.
Objectives:
- Develop an awareness of the creative process as it applies to the arts and ife.
- Develop technical skills for creating and analyzing media arts and interactivity through the exploration of individual and collaborative group projects.
- Increase knowledge relevant to integrate making, writing, and reflecting essential components of the creative process.
Syllabus:
# Syllabus is subject to change with notice. #
Aug 19-23 { all together in Northlight Studio, COMM 1251 }
INTRODUCTION WEEK
Tuesday 8/22, 9:35am – 10:50am
Wednesday 8/23, 9:00am – 10:50am
Thursday 8/24, 9:35am – 10:50am
Friday 8/25, 9:00am – 11:50am
Sol Lewitt: Drawing
Eva Hesse
Sol Lewitt letter to Eva Hesse
Benedict Cumberbatch reads Sol LeWitt's letter to Eva Hesse, 06:09
UNIT 1: DRAWING / COLLAGE / PHOTOMONTAGE
Fri Aug 30
Introductions, Syllabus, and Drawing
Please bring your Foundation Sketchbook to class.
Elements of Art & Principles of Organization (PDF)
Reading:
Suzuki: Zen Mind, Beginners Mind (Prologue)
Homework:
William Kentridge – ‘Art Must Defend the Uncertain', 06:09
Fri Sep 06
Studio Day: Gestural Mark Making
Fri Sep 13
Studio Day: Observational Drawing
Rainer Maria Rilke: Letters to a Young Poet (#1)
Homework:
Kubrick In Color, 04:22
Blue Velvet (1986) Opening Scene, 05:22
The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover - Trailer, 02:55
Do the Right Thing (1989) opening credits, 04:23
Fri Sep 20
Studio Day: Observational Drawing
Fri Sep 27
CRITIQUE (All Unit 1 Work)
UNIT 2: COUNTER-MAPS AND LANDSCAPES
Fri Oct 04
Studio Day: Collage, Photomontage, and Color
Jim Enote: Zuni Map Artists: Counter Mapping, 09:32
1) Counter-Map Collage:
Create a counter-map collage using paper, photos, drawing and other found materials.
Your counter-map collage can be a map used for clarity and navigation, or it can be a journey into mystery without a specific destination.
Maps can tell stories and shows relationships, they don't have to be to scale, and they can be non-linear. Consider the assumptions one makes when using maps. Do maps create borders and boundaries, or do maps create paths and bridges to new places?
This assignment is not a literal map, but instead think of it as a visual story, or performative image poetry.
This story/poem counter-map can have the logic of a dream, combining both spatial and temporal montage.
2) A Digital Meme:
Using an image editor create a digital meme from scratch to be uploaded to OneDrive. (Link to OneDrive will be emailed to all students)
Oct 07-11
PROTO-CINEMA WEEK
Tuesday 10/10, 9:35am – 10:50am
Wednesday 10/11, 9:00am – 10:50am
Thursday 10/12, 9:35am – 10:50am
Friday 10/13, 9:00am – 11:50am
All meetings begin in the Northlight Studio, COMM 1251
Fri Oct 18
FALL BREAK (No Class)
Fri Oct 25
CRITIQUE (All Unit 2 Work)
UNIT 3: TOOL-MAKING and ART-MAKING
Fri Nov 01
The Shooting AK Dear Sister (SNL Short), 03:39, 2007
Bo Burnham - Can't Handle This (Kanye Rant) - MAKE HAPPY, 07:24, 2016
Oliver Anthony - Rich Men North Of Richmond, 03:09, 2023
Childish Gambino - This Is America (Official Video), 04:04, 2018
Sun Xun - Time Spy, 9:03, 2016
UNIT 3 ASSIGNMENT:
Look carefully at your own "Everyday Carry" (EDC). Write a journal entry self-assessing and describing the tools you carry with you everyday.
Details will be dicussed in class.
Part Two: RESEARCH
Conduct research into the historical context of your chosen tools and materials.
How do your materials relate to the message of your work?
How have these materials been used historically? i.e. using non-art materials.
Find three artists whose work have influenced your theme, process, or materials and describe their significance to your work via journaling in your sketchbook.
Ex: Sun Xun’s Time Spy using traditional wood block carvings to animate the film emphasizing the juxtaposition of time through digital animation and wood block carvings.
Part Three: MAKE
1. Make your own tool that you would use to make art.
2. Make some art using this new tool.
You will complete two iterations of tool-making and art-making.
Details will be dicussed in class.
Fri Nov 08
Work-in-Progress Critique: Tool-Making/Art-Making Iteration #1
Prince & The Revolution - Raspberry Beret (Official Music Video), 04:21
Prince & The Revolution - When Doves Cry (Official Music Video), 03:44
Prince - 1999 (Official Music Video), 03:45
PRINCE's work ethic, 09:44
Fri Nov 15
CRITIQUE: Tool-Making/Art-Making Iteration #1
Why Are David Lynch Movies So Weird?, 23:33
How to Make a Dadist Poem
Duchamp: 3 Standard Stoppages, 1913-14
Arp: Collage with Squares Arranged according to the Laws of Chance, 1917
Cage: Prepared Piano, 01:12
Jean Tinguely - Homage to New York - 1960, 0:47
Steve Reich: Pendulum Music Score, 1968
Steve Reich: Pendulum Music, 06:13
Joel Fisher Drawing, 1990
Fri Nov 22
CRITIQUE (All Unit 3 Work)
Tool-Making/Art-Making Iteration #1
Tool-Making/Art-Making Iteration #2
Saturday 11/23 - Sunday 12/01
THANKSGIVING BREAK
Dec 02-06
ARTIFICAL INTELLIGENCE WEEK
Monday 12/2, 9:00am-10:50am
Tuesday 12/3, 9:35am-10:50am
Wednesday 12/4, 9:00am-10:50am
Thursday 12/5, 9:35am-10:50am
Friday 12/6, 9:00am-10:50am
#############################################
Monday 12/2, 9:00am – 10:50am
Lecture Notes:
Artificial Inteligence: Hype, Opportunities, & System Failures
Reading / Discussion in class:
Rick Rubin: excerpt - The Creative Act: A Way of Being
Resources:
Stable Diffusion 2.1 Demo
Stephen Fry reads Nick Cave's letter about ChatGPT & human creativity, 04:42
AlphaGo - The Movie | Full award-winning documentary, 01:37:27
Dec 09-13
FINALS WEEK - We will be meeting as one large group for portfolio presentations for the finals of all three foundations courses.
All meetings begin in the Cinema Soundstage, COMM 1116
Tue 12/10 2:45pm-4:45pm
Fri 12/13 8:00am-10:00am
Fri 12/13 12:30pm-2:30pm
Supply List (Required)
Foundation Sketchbook Students are required to obtain a Hardbound sketchbook at least 5.5"x8.5" with 110-sheets.Example: Daler-Rowney Simply Hardbound Sketchbook, 5.5" x 8.5" Soft White Pages, 110 Sheets
Supply List (Suggested)
Newsprint drawing pad 18" x 24"Pad of white drawing paper 18" x 24"
Kneaded eraser
Vine or willow charcoal
Compressed charcoal
Oil pastels (set of at least 8 colors, including white)
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
Pink or gum eraser
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)
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: You are expected to attend ALL classes. You are allowed up to ONE unexcused absence. Unexcused absence beyond this threshold may result in failing this course. Attendance will be taken at 9:00am sharp and absences will affect your grade. 3 lates = 1 absence.
As a practiced based course, you are required to actively participate in class conversation and critique. Missing class and not participating in class activities will result in a lower grade in the course. In critique, always be respectful when discussing others’ work and practice constructive criticism. Be prepared to explain your reasoning if simply stating "I like it." or "I hate it."
Due to the nature of practiced based courses, the class itself cannot be made up due to absences as it is an experiential course dependent on in-class participation in critiques and completion of exercises/projects. A warning will be given after two consecutive absences and the student is subject to a grade drop after that. You will be marked "late" if you are not in the classroom five minutes after class begins. Leaving during class and/or leaving class early will be considered equivalent to being late.
For absences due to medical issues to be excused, appropriate documentation is necessary. You must also email the professors at leah.sutton@siu.edu and rspahr@siu.edu prior to being absent.
Assignments: All Unit Projects and homework assignments 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 developing your verbal skills, confidence, and insights about receiving and providing criticism. Students will work to express themselves clearly while respectfully discussing their own and others artwork.
Pocket Sketchbook and Foundation Sketchbook Students should also document their creative process and artistic development within the pocket sketchbook and the foundation sketchbook. Think of the sketchbook as a resource to contain your present ideas and hints of future directions to explore. Students will be given weekly homework assignments using the foundation sketchbook.
Grading:
A 95-100, A- 92-95Outstanding 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.
- 30% Originality of concept
- 30% Delivery / Craft / Process
- 20% Critique & participation
Your final grade will be determined by the following:
- 60% Unit Projects and supplemental work
- 30% Participation
- 10% Pocket Sketchbook and Foundation Sketchbook
COVID-19
We will follow the mandated COVID-19 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 '24 - PDF