Module Identifier AR32630  
Module Title CONTEMPORARY CONCEPTS AND PRACTICE 2  
Academic Year 2007/2008  
Co-ordinator Miss Miranda Whall  
Semester Intended for use in future years  
Next year offered N/A  
Next semester offered N/A  
Other staff Mr Christopher P Webster  
Pre-Requisite AR22720  
Assessment
Assessment TypeAssessment Length/DetailsProportion
Semester Assessment Submission including: portfolio final works sketchbooks notebooks and related research material 100%
Supplementary Assessment As above100%

Learning outcomes

On completion of this module, students should be able to:
a) Produce a portfolio containing documentation of works in progress and final works that clearly demonstrates experimentation and understanding in installation, mixed and new media as appropriate to personal research
b) Produce a body of research that includes sketchbook, drawings, written, visual material and reference to 8 contemporary artists that clearly demonstrates a line of enquiry that gives expression to personal concerns and ideas
c) Employ techniques and materials in a selective and critical manner with regard to process and subject matter
d) Identify their art practice within the context of contemporary and historical traditions of installation, mixed and new media
e) Develop proficient patterns of working within the CCP studio and installation room with regard to issues of health and safety


Aims

This module promotes self-directed study and focuses upon the conceptual and practical aspects of art practice in preparation for work on the final exhibition. The purpose of this module is to promote and develop students¿ ability to follow a conceptually lead investigation into their ideas and concerns, taking their lead, inspiration and ideas from contemporary practice, while recognising and understanding the historical background to an artist¿s practice. The aim is to develop a range of skills in new and mixed media, and to approach the traditional techniques of drawing, painting, printmaking and photography from a contemporary perspective. The module promotes and centres on community, collaboration and communication, therefore meetings will be student-centred and student-led, where possible, focussing upon students¿ work in progress and discussions on relevant contemporary practice.

The module is being introduced as a bridge between Contemporary Concepts and Practice 1 (AR22720) and Exhibition 1 (AR30130) or Exhibition 2 (AR32540). The techniques employed and approaches to Fine Art, mirrored here in CCP, have already been approved at these levels. This gives the teaching of CCP equal status with other pathways offered by the School: in printmaking, illustration, painting and photography. We shall offer CCP as 30 or 40 credit modules (AR32630 and AR32740) following precisely the format, weightings and levelness of our current provision.

Brief description

This module, which runs concurrently with AR32740 Contemporary Concepts and Practice 3 is offered to third year students who wish to follow or continue a course of study that is conceptually led and focuses on practice and theory within contemporary fine art. They will be taught and encouraged to prioritise and follow lines of enquiry that stem from and develop conceptual investigations. This exploration will lead, inform and dictate material-, process-, skill- and new media-based investigations. The module will enable students to consolidate and develop their interests in a wide variety of contemporary and traditional subjects and media, including those already offered at the School: painting, photography, printmaking, and drawing, alongside a range of new media skills developed in the 2nd year module AR22720 Contemporary Concepts and Practice 1. All the new areas of exploration will be introduced using examples from contemporary practice and from a contemporary perspective. The module encourages and allows students to move freely through and across disciplines and boundaries. Students who take the module will be required to exhibit/present either 2 works in progress and/or final works. They can present their works in either the installation space designated to the module or any space of their choice within or outside of the dept. Students will be asked to make a final presentation to the group on each of their 2 works/installation/project and their research. Four advanced workshops will be offered throughout the course providing tailor-made advice. These workshops will be designed towards students needs and will be available as required. Students will be required to develop an initial 'statement of intent' that they will adapt, critique and review as their project evolves, this will be presented and discussed in their final presentation. Students will be asked to thoroughly research at least 8 contemporary artists relevant to their research. The module is centred on regular group meetings, seminars, and critiques. Students are expected to produce a portfolio of documentation of their project(s) and associated sketchbook of drawings, written and visual material, demonstrating both research and experimentation.

Content

Research & Contemporary Concepts and Practice

Seminars where a wide range of examples of contemporary practice will be introduced via a power point presentation, video, or DVD

Group meetings where discussion and critique will centre on one or more students' work in progress, or final works

Study of contemporary artists' explorations into formats and methods within fine art, including: contemporary drawing, contemporary painting, installation, mixed media, social and community engaging work, animation, and new media (video, 8mm & 16mm film, and sound as fine art practice).

Through demonstrations and workshops, the opportunity to learn new or more advanced skills can be arranged from the following: animation (e.g. After Affects), sound (e.g. Pro Tools), and video (e.g. Final Cut Pro).

Through demonstrations and workshops, the opportunity to learn how to construct architectural spaces, how to set up lights, install and play sound and methods of projecting and playing moving images.

The emphasis will be on experimentation in a variety of media and techniques, many of which will have been experienced during modules studied at Level 2, and which will enable students to develop a personalised mode of working.

Module Skills

Problem solving Development of practical skills in software and other media and problem solving in software and other media  
Research skills Development of a programme of research and self-directed project(s) that provide evidence of an experimental investigation into the theory, practice, history and technical skills within contemporary practice. Following, adapting and evaluating a 'statement of intent'.  
Communication Strong emphasis on the development and encouragement of communication skills via weekly seminars, discussion, peer critiques and reviews.  
Improving own Learning and Performance Development and encouragement of a self-critical approach to creative, conceptual and contemporary thinking in fine art and working throughout a self-directed project(s) in the form of any number or variants of contemporary fine art practices that culminates in a body of work taking any form or range of media.  
Team work Development and encouragement of team work and student interaction will occur within the studio, installation space, weekly meetings; discussions, critiques, reviews and seminars.  
Information Technology Introductions to new software, as required.  
Application of Number N/A  
Personal Development and Career planning N/A  
Subject Specific Skills Advanced workshops in the various software programmes introduced at Level 2 might typically draw from the following: After Affects, Final Cut Pro, Pro Tools, Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver etc. 10. Workshop Practice Self-management, time management and use of CCP studio and installation room facilities for completion of self-directed project work  

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 6