Sculpture II, Spring 2010

VIAR R3331.001 SCULPTURE II
F 10:00A-04:00P
313 Prentis Hall (125th st)
Prerequisites: Sculpture I or permission of instructor

Instructors

Jon Kessler
Visual Arts
jk342 at columbia edu

Douglas Repetto
Computer Music Center
Office: 318 Prentis
douglas at music columbia edu

TAs:
Julia Sherman (jbs2184 at columbia edu)
Christine Rebet (cfr2110 at columbia edu)

shop hours

Course Description

This course explores multi-media installation art methodologies, including digital and analog solutions for creating sound, light and mechanical components. We will use technology as a common theme as we explore contemporary and historical multi-media artworks and learn the tools and techniques needed to integrate the strategies into our own work. The projects are expected to have an engagement with technology that is physical, not purely virtual. We will cover theoretical and historical materials as well as practical, hands-on topics.

In addition to their own artwork, students will be asked to do several research presentations during the term.

Each class meeting will be divided into two parts: classroom meetings in the morning and shop work in the afternoon. Our classroom will be room 313 in Prentis Hall. The shops are the woodshop (3rd floor Prentis), metal shop (5th floor Prentiss), and electronics shop (324 Prentis).

Tentative Class Schedule

Jan 22: Art and the spectacle, early photography and film; Intro to shops
Jan 29: The Switch: electricity, switches, motors; Big shop tools
Feb 05: Early multi-media and historical machines; Artist presentations: Apolinario & Brie
Feb 12: General shop work
Feb 19: Mechanisms; Artist presentations: Adam & Nadja
Feb 26: snow day
Mar 05: Repurposing & reuse; Taking things apart; Artist presentations: Ji & Isla
Mar 12: Big Improvised Sculpture!
Mar 19: SPRING BREAK!
Mar 26: Arduino/Processing introduction; World's simplest oscillator; Artist presentations: Pooneh, Cat
Apr 02: Final project proposal presentations; Artist presentations: Nora & Van
Apr 09: Studio visits/field trip
Apr 16: General shop work; Artist presentations: Anna, Nick, & Samuel
Apr 24: General shop work: Artist presentations: Thea & Arinn
Apr 30: Final project presentations!

Physical Resources

CMC room 324 has electronics bench, basic tools & supplies for electronics, as well as lockers and a little room for storing projects and working. It's a shared space, so it can't be insane.

Students have normal access to wood & metal shops, with monitors for non-SoA MFAs.

Potential use of equipment (Video cameras, computers, flat screens, monitors, etc.) from the DMC.

Web Resources

Herbach and Rademan: surplus motors, mechanical components, power supplies

All Electronics: surplus electronics, small motors, batteries

McMaster-Carr: new mechanical components, tools

https://www.surpluscenter.com

http://www.goldmine-elec.com

http://www.bgmicro.com