Foundation Courses

The Artist & Social Practice

Course No. FIB267F/367F/467F  Credits: 3.0
Faculty José Carlos Teixeira

This course explores a realm of artistic endeavor usually apart from the gallery system and the art market, where the artist applies his/her talents to questions directly related to community, social responsibility, and political activism.

While looking critically at recent manifestations in relational and participatory practices - as well as learning about their historical context and interdependence with other fields - students will work within a greater social context, applying their skills to pressing issues (such as ecology, urban decay, poverty, discrimination, violence, and global abuses of the military-industrial complex, to name a few).

The pedagogical approach will be to present projects realized by other artists who have worked in these areas, and to be able to contextualize these practices as the result/reflection of our current economic, political, and cultural situation(s) - both nationally and internationally.

Students will research issues that are of greater concern to them individually, and present them to the whole class. This will be followed by in-depth discussion around problem-solving, efficacy of action, and aesthetic materialization. Projects will then be developed and implemented throughout the semester.

The Artist + Social Practice

Course No. VAT 267-367-467  Credits: 3.0

This course explores a realm of artistic endeavor apart from the Western canon and the gallery art system. As such, students will work within the greater social context, applying their skills to pressing issues such as urban decay and poverty, ecology (brown fields, waste, pollution) violence, and other issues stemming from contradictions between the wants and needs of the individual and the wants and needs of the greater society. Histories of artists working in these arenas will provide a starting point and a model for student work. Each student will research issues that are of personal concern, present their findings to the class. This will be followed by discussions around problem solving and efficacy of action. Projects will then be developed and implemented.