Course Title: Create works of art for public spaces

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2015

Course Code: VART6227C

Course Title: Create works of art for public spaces

School: 340T Art

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5308 - Diploma of Visual Arts

Course Contact : Jennifer Cabraja

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4472

Course Contact Email:visualarts@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Fiona Hillary

fiona.hillary@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 90

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

In this course you will explore the skills and knowledge required to realise all aspects of a public art project, from initial brief or idea to the actual installation of the work.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

CUVPUA501A Create works of art for public spaces

Element:

1. Originate ideas for public art

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Identify and explore a broad range of information relevant to public art
1.2 Critically evaluate findings in the context of own practice and the work of others
1.3 Collaborate with relevant people about public art projects
1.4 Evaluate potential or actual sites and the practical and creative relationships between site and work
1.5 Consider practical and organisational issues associated with public art
1.6 Confirm ideas for public art based on research, reflection and collaboration

Element:

2. Articulate and present project ideas.

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Explore and experiment with a broad range of advanced techniques and materials, tools and equipment to achieve different effects
2.2 Take account of safety and sustainability considerations associated with the use of different techniques and media
2.3 Research, adapt and use relevant ideas and approaches with consideration of intellectual property requirements

Element:

3. Plan and document work in response to the site and the brief

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Assess specific resource requirements that arise from the use of techniques and experimental approaches
3.2 Research and evaluate costs and other constraints that may impact on work
3.3 Research and access sources of supply
3.4 Organise and maintain resources according to safety and other workplace or project requirements

Element:

4. Create the public artwork

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Realise public artwork using techniques and media selected from research and experimentation
4.2 Evaluate and respond to the potential for change as work progresses
4.3 Develop own ways of working to create individual style
4.4 Identify and resolve technical problems in projects based on developing expertise
4.5 Establish and follow safe work practices throughout the production of the public artwork

Element:

5. Finalise the public art project

Performance Criteria:

5.1 Regularly review work in progress in the context of personal, professional and artistic objectives
5.2 Identify and respond to opportunities for refinement and re-thinking
5.3 Evaluate the work process in terms of its efficiency and effectiveness
5.4 Evaluate finished work in terms of its coherence with the project concept, technical resolution and suitability for intended purpose


Learning Outcomes


On successful completion of the course, you will have developed and applied the skills and knowledge required to demonstrate your competency in the above elements.


Details of Learning Activities

In this course, you learn through:
1. In-class activities:
•lectures
•teacher directed studio activities/projects
•studio exercises to review discussions/lectures
•peer teaching and class presentations
•group discussion
•studio work

2. Out-of-class activities include:
•practical exercises
•reading articles and excerpts
•preparing for discussion
•project work
•independent research

You are expected to manage your learning and undertake an appropriate amount of out-of-class independent study and research and industry guests speak about professional practice.


Teaching Schedule

 

Week Class Content Task Elements
1 Introduction to unit:
•Learning outcomes
•assessment criteria
•course requirements
•studio clean-up process
•introduction to project briefs
•Presentation on artists

What is public art?
Practice note: documentation critical

Ready for Action task 1 – Exploring Material Briefing
 

Ready for Action: Task 1

In small groups using the provided material…engage in public space. As a group you must decide on how to use your material, find an appropriate location to temporarily install the work…document your process with photos and create a photos story that captures your intention and the outcome.
 

1
2 Sanctioned Public Art:
Testing Ground
Write a critique of the space, briefly outline why you liked/disliked it. (Visual diary) 1/3
3 Unsanctioned Public Art:Ready for Action task 1 – Group Work Select a work you stumble across, try to identify the artist, comment on why you selected that work. (Visual diary) 2/3
4 Public Art online resources –

ACMI 15 seconds – Upload Ready for Action Task 1 compilation.

Ready for Action task 1 – Presentations

ACMI 15 Seconds Place Upload.

Presentations.

2/3
5 Ready for Action task 1 – Presentations Presentations. 2/3
6 Temporary art
Performance art…relational aesthetics

Art/Craft activism

Ready for action Task 2: Exploring Relational Aesthetics – Project Brief

Identify a practicing public artist you like and be prepared to present on their practice. 2/3
7 A Portrait Gallery Outside…Skypetrait

 

Ready for action Task 2: Exploring Relational Aesthetics – Site analysis/Responding to space 2/3
8

Environmental art in the urban context

Ready for action Task 2: Exploring Relational Aesthetics – Group Work  
Mid Semester Break
9 The corporate condition of public space

Ready for action Task 2: Exploring Relational Aesthetics – Group Work - Presentations

2/3/4/5
10 Exploring Projection
Practice Notes: Site Analyses

Ready for action Task 2: Exploring Relational Aesthetics – Presentations

Over head projectors …torches…exploring projection
Explore appropriation using old slide supplies…

2/3/4/5
11

Gertrude Street Projection Festival -  briefing and site analysis
 

GSPF – Site Analysis 2/3/4
12 GSPF – Concept Development   2/3/4
13 GSPF – Concept Development   2/3/4
14 GSPF – Curatorial Critique of projections Concept presentation 2/3/4/5
15 GSPF – Curatorial Critique of projections Concept presentation 2/3/4/5
16 Assessment Preparation Assessment folio should include:
Ready for Action: Task 1 Documentation
Ready for Action: Task 2 Documentation
GPF Brief: Site analysis/Concept/Imagery
Visual Diary:
•Sanctioned/Unsanctioned Art work
•Presentations: Images and notes
 
1/2/3/4/5


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

Forbat, S. 2009 40 years : Kaldor public art projects NSW, Botany.

Hogg, G & Sharp, K. (eds) 2011, Outer site : the intercultural projects of RMIT art in public space with a foreword by Lucy Lippard, Balnarring, Vic. : McCulloch & McCulloch Australian Art Books.

Frayling C, Charity R & O’Reilly L 2005 Re views : artists and public space. London, UK : Black Dog Books.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment is on-going throughout the course. Assessment will incorporate a range of methods to assess performance and the application of knowledge and skills and will include: 

  • Practical tasks, a series of major projects
  • Direct observation including exploration of and experimentation with techniques
  • Written and/or oral questioning and discussion to assess knowledge and understanding
  • Completion of a visual diary and/or portfolio including personal reflection and feedback
  • Direct questioning combined with review of portfolios of evidence

An assessment charter summarises your responsibilities as an RMIT student as well as those of your teachers.


Assessment Tasks

To demonstrate competency in this course, you will need to complete the following pieces of assessment to a satisfactory standard. You will receive feedback on all assessment.
Assessment Tasks
Semester 1:
1. Assessment title: Presenting sanctioned/unsanctioned works
Description: Present documentation of public art sanctioned/unsanctioned (15 Seconds place)
Semester: S1
Week: 5

2. Assessment title: Ready for Action – Task 2: Exploring Relational Aesthetics
Description: Present Task 2: powerpoint presentation; A3 presentation detailing ideas and documentation
Semester: S1
Week: 10/11

3. Assessment title: GSPF: Concept Presentation
Description: Present concept for GSPF
Semester: S1
Week: 15/16

4. Assessment title: Folio:
Description: Site analyses/Concepts/
Ready for Action 1/2 Documentation
Field trip reports: images/notes, critique of works
Semester: S1
Week: 16

5. Visual Diary:
Description: Your visual diary should be a living document that provides insights to you influences, your ideas and how they impact your practice.


Assessment Matrix

The assessment matrix demonstrates alignment of assessment tasks with the relevant Unit of Competency. These are available from the course contact person (stated above).

Course Overview: Access Course Overview