ART 588- 488 Public Art;
Instructor – Kari Reardon
Spring 2016
Meets Fridays 9:00-2:30 pm
Office Hours: Friday 3:00-4:00 –email me
AC505
Karireardon@gmail.com
Catalog Description
Development and completion of art forms planned for placement in the public realm. Increasing
complexity and evidence of greater depth required in the sequence of course work. Public art investigated
in a workshop format that includes speakers, demonstrations and field trips. Emphasis on studio activities,
proposal development, and service learning. Some sections of this course may offer a community service
opportunity with activities relating to concepts and theories presented in the course. Check the schedule
of classes for the CS designation. 6 hours per week.
Course Description Detail
The main objectives of this course are for students to gain knowledge and practical experience within the
realm of Public Art. Through this 2 semester long workshop students will learn the basics of how to
respond to Public Art Calls and Request for Proposals. Students will be challenged to think about site
specificity and community in new ways while learning about the history, controversies, and challenges
posed in this ever-expanding field.
Public art / art in public, how do you make an interesting and engaging piece of work that fits within the
categories or needs of a specific space or community? In partnership with the Student Recreation Center
(SRC) this class will be centered around designing and conceptualizing proposals for artworks to be
permanently fabricated and installed in and around the new Health and Wellness Center on the University
campus. The ongoing and rotational 2-semester long courses are designed in 2 parts and although that is
not mandatory to do both, it is advised.
Semester 1: Students will dive into the world of public art, and learn how to apply to RFP’s (request for
proposals). Students will work in small groups, visit the sites, research ideas and materials, conceptualize
ideas and designs, make drawings, build models, learn how to create budgets, and plan out the
necessary fabrication and installation needs. The final designs and models will go through a review
process and all of the presentation that are selected will receive the funds needed to build it!
Semester 2: We will hit the ground running, fabricating the pieces selected from the previous semester
and install them on site. This course will introduce you to a range of building skills, material knowledge,
local fabrication businesses, budget refining and time management. Students will end this 2 semester
long course having had the experience of designing and building public art works, building up your
resume and a comprehensive understanding of how to move forward with this career option for the future.
Art Department Program Goals Addressed in This Course
The goals of the Art Department are to establish and develop an inclusive and balanced program in
visual art, which encompass four areas of study: Art Education, Art History, Studio Art, and Visual
Communications.
Art Program Goals
Basic Skills- Developing a foundation of art knowledge, theories, skills, craft and technologies, where
ideas and concepts are communicated in writing, speaking and art making.
Art Knowledge
- broadening knowledge of ancient through contemporary art to develop an
understanding of art within theoretical, cultural, and historical contexts.
Critical Thinking- Analyzing, interpreting, and questioning traditional methodologies and preconceived notions of art and art making through the process of generating and solving problems.
Interdisciplinary Connections-
Exploring and engaging in a variety of interdisciplinary forms of art
making.
Global Perspectives-
Promoting an appreciation and tolerance of diverse perspectives dealing with
art, culture, teaching and learning.
Collaboration
- Encouraging both individual and collaborative art experiences among students, faculty,
and the community.
Professional Preparation- Working to develop career paths for various art professions and an
understanding of the demands and expectations of those areas.
Course Student Learning Outcomes
- Recognize and apply practical and theoretical concepts through research, writing and threedimensional sculptural practices.
- Acquire knowledge of and apply the elements and principles of sustainable outdoor design in sculptural
processes.
- Acquire knowledge and incorporate it in writing your connection to your personal studio practices as
they apply to the larger art community and context.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the history of sculpture and exhibit proficiency of various sculptural
processes and concepts.
-This course will challenge students to engineer, build, problem solve and conceive of unique ways to
complete a given task.
REQUIREMENTS
- Attendance is mandatory. Avoid coming to class late. And please make sure you arrive on time for field
trips. Missing class sets you back and your group back in your course work. Absences will be excused in
emergency situations only. This is a team effort if a member of the team is not present others must take
notes and fill them in.
- Come to class prepared. Please have with you the tools and materials that you need. I will inform you as
to what you will need to bring to class or where we will be going. You are now not just responsible for
yourself but for the success of your group.
- Participate in class discussions and critiques. They are an opportunity for you to share your insight with
your classmates. Come to all critiques. Be honest. Speak up. Listen carefully.
- Please clean up after yourself. Space and clean space will become particularly scarce as the semester
moves on.
- Students should expect to spend at least 4-6 hours a week to work on projects outside of class time.
PROFESSIONAL ATTITUDE AND PRACTICE;
Student code of conduct found on CSUN website
http://www.csun.edu/studentaffairs/pdfs/standards_student_conduct.pdf.
GRADING Assessment and Evaluation
Students are graded on the following 3 criteria.
- The demonstration of good work ethic, research, communication skills and craftsmanship.
- Creativity and ingenuity. How well a project is thought out. How well ideas behind the work are
integrated into the way particular pieces are conceived designed and finally fabricated. resourcefulness
with which they are able to interpret and execute in assignments.
- Respect for all the students within your group and class. The individuals’ contribution and effort as it
relates to the overall success of the teams proposal and project. Each student within the groups will
anonymously grade each others participation throughout the process and I will take these notes into
consideration for the final grade.
A
AB+
B
93-100
90-92.9
87-89.9
83-86.9
= A: Outstanding achievement, above requirements with extra time and effort
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
80-82.9
77-79.9
73-76.9
= C: Requirements met with average effort and work
70-72.9
67-69.9
63-66.9
= D: Requirements met with minimum effort and careless work, barely passing
60-62.9
below 60 = F: Failure, minimum requirements not met, inadequate understanding of course
material
= B: Requirements met with very good achievement and clear understanding of
objectives
Incompletes are given only in documented emergency circumstances.
Each of these 3 criteria will be worth 30% of your grade for a project. The final 10% of your grade will be
based upon persona growth and the ability of a student to find and overcome challenges within the given
assignment. Great ambitions are highly encouraged in this course.
group proposals will account for 50% of your final grade
Individual proposals will account for 30%
Journals 10%
And the final 10% will account for class participation and attendance.
Please feel free to discuss your grade with me at any point during the semester.
For a C grade in this course miss no more than 3 classes, complete assigned tasks in an unmindful but
adequate way, participate minimally in class discussions and critiques.
For a B grade or better come to all classes, complete assignments, devote time energy and thought into
your projects, work hard, be inventive, work outside of class time, participate in class, involve yourself in
critiques, go on field trips, set your goals high and achieve them.
For an A, Outstanding thoughtful & and intelligent ideas presented in a clear, organized, and engaging
manner the final product is presented articulated and ready to be fabricated. The quality of the work and
ideas are among the very best.
Plan on 3-6+ hours of out of class work weekly. Productivity: quantity, time, effort = progress.
Attendance:
o
o
Attendance is mandatory; 3 instances of being tardy or leaving early = 1 absence.
Automatic failure after 4 absences or 4 weeks worth of class.
o
o
o
Attendance will be taken within the first five minutes of each class. If you come in late let me know so you
receive a tardy rather than an absence. If you come to class more than 30 minutes late, or leave more than 30
minutes before the end of class it will count as an absence.
It is your responsibility to get notes from a classmate if you miss a demonstration or lecture. Demonstrations
and lectures will not be repeated. It is your responsibility to get assignment parameters and due dates.
Please let me know of official curriculum-related, university-approved activity absences within the first week of
class so we can make arrangements for making up missed course work. All projects must be turned in ahead
of time, with a written component assigned and completed if a critique will be missed. Missed days will count
as excused absences and will count towards your total number of absences.
SAFETY
There are a variety of potentially dangerous tools and machines in the shop. Do not attempt to use any of
them unless you have been specifically informed on the proper use of these tools.
******You must read the shop safety handout and successfully complete and pass the “shop
safety” test and demo before handling any of the tools in the Sculpture area******
ASSIGNMENTS and
Expectations
There will be readings, lectures, field trips and “top 5 presentations” showcasing your favorite public art
pieces and why. The calendar will be a fluid and change with the needs of the projects. I will meet with
the groups to check in every week to discuss the progress and needs.
Sketchbook/JournalYou will all be expected to keep a journal on your notes for your own projects and the public art works/
fabrication places we go to see. Start to keep a log of what you notice. Their forms, use of materials,
styles, interactive nature or elements that stand out or you can’t stand. Record your ideas for future
projects.
Team Proposal- Health and Wellness Center
This is an upper division course and will be the first of its kind. You have been given a challenge to work
collaboratively. In the second semester of this course you will, make another model out of the material
proposed, to test and further research the sustainability of the materials and building methods necessary
for these selected pieces. Weigh out all of the options for fabrication and comprise a comprehensive
budget that covers all the expenses needed. Realistically map out a timeline for the project, delegate
roles to team members and schedule installment times and plans. Documentation and plan the opening
party when the pieces are all in place!