SYLLABUS

Spring 2003

ART 303,403

CERAMICS

BARBARA PATTEN STARR

Some musings about what we might do this semester. Read, ponder, consider creatively, let’s discuss and then let’s draw up plans and some dates. Can/should we occasionally meet outside the time set for Ceramics I?

1. Develop a work of a series of works based on an organic form or forms. (One student did a semester’s work based on the forms of undersea creatures.) Consider botanical forms.

2. Use the work of another artist/group of artists as a resource for your work indicating aspects of the work that you find interesting/appealing. Create a work/series of works growing from these ideas and taking them to the next level. (Note: See research paper listed below. You may want to springboard from that. You need not be limited to ceramic artists for this project, though. I can imagine even using the work of poets as inspiration.)

3. Create a modular series (pieces that work together as a group.) This may be either functional or sculptural.

4. Write a brief report on different methods of ceramic surface decoration and create a tile to illustrate each.

5. Develop one or more sources of ceramic ideas. Create a work using each. Write a brief paper describing the source of your ideas and trace its evolution as you work.

There is probably more that a semester’s worth of work here. You should probably shoot for 5-6 major pieces of work for the semester, more or less depending on size and complexity. Sometimes working in series allows you to explore ideas in greater depth and to finish more pieces in less time. Sift through the ideas above and feel free to come up with any of your own. My interest is in a challenging and engaging semester’s work for each of you. You do not have to be working on the same topics. I would, however, like to aim for the same deadlines if we can. Spend an hour today talking among yourselves, thinking, and we will talk together during the last 45 minutes of class. I would like to have a written plan from each of you by next class period. I also have some additional materials I can prepare for you, depending on what you choose.

GLAZES – Students are responsible to purchase their own glazes. A good source is creativeglazes.com. (tel. 770-476-7322). They have a great website with good illustrations, knowledgeable staff on the phone (Gloria) and they answer emails promptly. You will need to use a credit card. They don’t ship to PO boxes, but you can have them ship to me, c/o Fine Arts Downstairs, Attn. your name. Doubling up with another person saves on shipping costs. Time is usually about 2 or 3 days.

COURSE OUTLINE

1/21 CRITIQUE

1/23 TEST: Ch. 1-4, Stages of plasticity

1/30 RESEARCH PAPER DUE -A brief (3-5 page) typed paper on an individual ceramic artist or group of artists, an historic/contemporary style or technique, a trend in ceramics today, etc.

2/4 CRITIQUE

2/13 REFLECTION PAPER I DUE

2/18 CRITIQUE

2/27 TEST: Reading, inclusive

3/11 CRITIQUE

3/25 CRITIQUE / LAST DAY FOR FORMING AND JOINING GREENWARE.

4/10 LAST CLASS MEETING: ATTENDANCE REQUIRED

FINAL CRITIQUE: ALL WORK FINISHED AND DUE FOR GRADING

END TERM REFLECTION PAPER DUE

FINAL CLEAN-UP REQUIRED OF ALL STUDENTS

JOURNALS

The standard end of class reflection is:

How did I feel about today's studio session?

· Was I prepared for class? How did this affect my work?

· What do I like about my work today? (Be as specific as possible.) How did I do this?

· What problems (If any) did I encounter today? What did I gain from observing the work of others in class? Is there anything specific I need to ask for help with?

· What needs improving in my work? How might I accomplish this?

REFLECTION PAPERS

The reflection papers should be 2-3 pages, typed. The primary source for them is your journal written throughout the semester. The exact approach of your reflection papers is up to you. There is no one correct format to follow. The better papers will be written in such a way as to synthesize and record in a more complete manner the accumulated thoughts, feelings, and reactions you have had to the experience of artmaking.

This is an opportunity for you to reflect on your own work in a thoughtful manner. Perhaps the question "What have I gained so far in this process of artmaking?" will help you focus your thoughts. Some other suggestions as to how you might organize your thoughts follow:

· Identify and explain the top three, four, five (whatever the number) of things you have learned about artmaking so far in this course.

· Choose a small number of individual works you have done. Recall what is significant about each of your works in terms of your own progress in artmaking.

· Recall significant moments in the course of your studio and homework experiences. There may be emotions and/or events outside of the artwork that stimulated your artmaking.