Manami Ishimura

This course presents an introduction to three-dimensional art through exploration of its basic elements (line, plane, mass and color) and its basic ordering principles (unity, balance, rhythm and dominance). Students explore sculpture techniques through figurative modeling, digital fabrication, and familiarizing the equipment in the woodshop. As students learn how to use the tools and equipment in the Sculpture Studios, proper care for the tools and space in addition to professional finish and presentation are expected. The course format includes slide lectures, group critiques and individual instruction. Material purchases are the responsibility of each student. This counts toward the introductory course requirement for the major. No prerequisite. Offered each semester.

In this course, students are expected to create at least three sculpture projects such as figure modeling, mold making, welding, digital fabrication, and/or their own projects. An instructor gives step-by-step assignments and homework following the content of projects. Students are familiarized with sculptural techniques and the equipment through the projects. The course is designed to facilitate the development of ideas that contribute to the artist’s content and decision-making process, as well as the development of the applied skills needed to manifest these ideas. As students work on projects, this development is paired with research on artists and exercises for writing short artist statements. Ideas and the ability to articulate them verbally are crucial in the understanding of self-expression. Throughout the term, we critically analyze and interpret sculptural works of art both verbally in critiques and through written assignments. This counts toward an intermediate-level course required for the major. Prerequisite: ARTS 103.

This course allows students to explore art that is based on a merger of space and time and on a relationship between the artist and the visitor. Perhaps the most inclusive and pervasive art form in the last 40 years, installation art has roots in cinema, performance art, set design, architecture, graphic design, land art, public art, curating, art criticism and history in addition to the more traditional visual arts. In this class, students create immersive environments that are either site-specific or nomadic. They also have the opportunity to integrate performance, video and audio components in their projects. Components range from everyday objects to surveillance video, from large wall drawings to interactive switches for participants to manipulate. The class consists of demonstrations of art skills particularly useful in installation (sculptural, video, audio, graphic presentation and so on), presentations, readings, weekly critiques and cumulative projects. Previous experience with any creative media such as writing, dance, music or performance is helpful. This counts toward the intermediate course requirement for the major. Prerequisite: ARTS 102, 103, 106, 107. Offered once a year.

This first semester of a two-semester sequence is designed to enable students to develop their personal artistic vision based on the foundation of introductory and intermediate studio art courses. Students are expected to develop a self-generated body of creative work based on a concentrated investigation of materials, methods and ideas. They develop oral and written presentation and research skills as they work toward a professional exhibition in the second semester. Critiques, discussions, presentations and readings provide context and feedback for this process. Students learn to develop the elements necessary for professional exhibition of a cohesive body of work, including developing ideas, writing an artist's statement and resume, and perfecting presentation skills. Studio art majors are expected to take this class and ARTS 481 with two different faculty members. This course is required for studio art majors. Senior art majors only. Offered every fall.