ART-292/492 – Special Topics—Installation and Design
(3 Credit Hours)
BLACK HILLS STATE UNIVERSITY – COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCES
Spring 2008, TTh 9:30 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Woodburn 302
Lab Hours T Th 4:00p.m. - 7:00p.m.
Syllabus
Instructor: Ann Porter
Office: W304A
Office Hours: MWF 10:00-11:00; T 3:00-4:00
Phone: 642-6275
E-mail: annporter@bhsu.edu
Website where you can see my work:
http://www.bhsu.edu/artssciences/art/index.html
Course Description: Conceptual problems will be solved through the organization of formal
elements, utilizing three dimensional design language revealed through its history, theory,
aesthetics and materials.
Prerequisites: None
Description of Instructional Methods: This is a studio class. The student will be required to
generate artwork to fulfill assignments given. There will be a weekly discussion of out-of -class
assignments, with a CD submitted at midterm and a CD at the end of the semester.
Course Requirements:
There is no textbook required. Individual readings will be recommended as needed.
I have been reading the following two books, which may be of help:
Rosenthal, Mark; Understanding Installation Art; Prestel, Munich, 2003
De Olivera, Oxley & Petry; Installation Art in the New Millenium; Thames & Hudson,
London, 2003
Supplementary Materials:
Digital Camera
If you don’t own one, the library has them available for check out.
Installation materials for this class will vary greatly from project to project. None of
them will be expensive and often you will be able to use recycled materials.
Class Attendance: An atmosphere of general enthusiasm is important to your own
success as well as the success of your classmates. Poor attendance will result in a poor
grade or outright failure. Of course, accommodations can be made for documented
illnesses or family emergencies.
 If you have a cell phone that interrupts the class or if you use your cell phone
during class—even out in the hallway—it will count as an absence for the day.
 Being present means showing up on time ready to work with the attitude and the
materials you need to be productive.
 If you miss more than 4 sessions, you will receive an automatic “F” for the
semester unless you to drop this course.
Lab Session Attendance: All studio classes require a 3 hour per week lab session
(Scheduled lab times are Tuesdays, 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.). Attendance at these Lab Sessions
is encouraged rather than mandatory. Alternative times must be arranged through the Art
Department faculty and the studio instructor.
Cheating and Plagiarism Policy: Any evidence of academic dishonesty will result in
an “F” for the course and the Instructor of this course will adhere to the Policy
Governing Academic Integrity found in the BHSU Student Handbook.
Make-up Policy: All assignments must be done on time to receive full credit.
Assignments up to one week late will have a grade reduced by one letter. Assignments
later than one week will not be accepted. There are no extra credit options in this class.
Of course, accommodations can be made for documented illnesses or family
emergencies.
BOR System General Education Goals: GOAL 4: STUDENTS WILL UNDERSTAND AND
INTERPRET THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE THROUGH ARTS AND HUMANITIES.
Required Student Learning Outcome 1: Demonstrate knowledge of the variety of
values, beliefs, and ideas embodied in the human experience through assigned art
projects and class critiques. Assessment: written teacher evaluation based upon concept,
technique, and presentation
Required Student Learning Outcome 2: Identify and explain basic concepts of the
selected disciplines within the arts and humanities. Assessment: written teacher
evaluation based upon concept, technique, and presentation
Optional Student Learning Outcome 4: Demonstrate creative and aesthetic
understanding. Assessment: written teacher evaluation based upon concept, technique,
and presentation
This course has been designed to address the following standards:
 Explain the organization of the art elements involved in an installation space (through
individual projects and critiques)
 Identify the principles of installation concepts and their application in organizing
physical space (through individual projects)
 Identify various media and techniques in a purely aesthetic context and the ability to
manipulate them (through individual projects)
 Describe the skills necessary in the design of creative composition with sculptural
materials(through individual projects)
 Describe the skills necessary in the usage of design techniques and sensitivity to the
limitations and potentials of design materials in an installation space (though individual
projects)
Alignment of this course to these standards can be found in the STEP Alignment Tool.
Learning Outcome Overview: The student’s completed projects will demonstrate the
student’s knowledge of basic methods to create three-dimensional form. Using a wide variety
of materials in assigned projects, the student will demonstrate an understanding of the
relationship between form and concept, installation, as well as communication through scale,
technique and craft. These skills will be assessed by studio projects assigned throughout the
semester (See below).
Student Learning Outcomes: The program shall include study of the nature of art and its
meaning and contributions to the individual and society. The program shall develop the
prospective teacher’s ability to describe, analyze, interpret and evaluate works of art; to work as
a professional art educator with pupils of all age groups; to set goals for student learning based
on a clear concept of how art links students to broad human purpose; and to develop the
following capacities:
 Perception - the ability and refinement of fundamental optic and haptic sensory intake.
 Knowledge and Understanding - the ability to absorb visual information, particularly that
which is manifested in visual art.
 Creativity - the ability to produce or create original expressions using a variety of media.
 Reflection/Action - the ability to appreciate art.
 Student will identify contemporary global issues from multiple perspectives on projects
Evaluation Procedures:
Assessments
Total Possible Points
 You can turn in an image from the featured artist (worth 2 points)
20
or you can turn in an image from an alternate artist whose work is
pertinent to that week’s project (worth 3 points).
10 (Extra Credit)
 Turning in the week’s assignment on time is worth 8 points.
Please note that each assignment is graded on the Pass/Fail system.
120
 Turn in Preliminary CD on time with all of the first 9 assignments.
Please note that this CD is graded on the Pass/Fail system.
50
 Turn in final CD on time with all 15 assignments done.
Please note that this CD will receive a letter grade.
100
TOTAL
300
The grade you earn will be determined by your total points accumulated as shown below:
A = 300 to 279
B+ = 268 to 260
C+ = 238 to 230
D+ = 208 to 200
A- = 278 to 269
B = 259 to 248
C = 229 to 218
D = 199 to 188
B- = 247 to 239
C- = 217 to 209
D- = 187 to 179
F = 178 to 0
Performance Standards
Grades for the final CD are based on the following criteria:
 Meeting project requirements and deadlines
 Hard work—Are you truly engaged in the making of each project?
 Willingness to experiment
 Quality of work—Concept, Technique, Presentation
Grading Policy
A Consistent excellence in all aspects of the course, and/or extraordinary and consistent
development
B Above average work and evidence of consistent growth in visual organization,
expression, technical skill, conceptual understanding and class participation
C Average completion of all required work, quality of visual organization, expression,
technical skill, conceptual understanding and class participation
D Deficient completion of all required work, quality of visual organization, expression,
technical skill, conceptual understanding and class participation
F Unsatisfactory completion of all required work, quality of visual organization,
expression, technical skill, conceptual understanding and class participation
Class Participation:
 Class participation and attendance will affect your midterm and final grades.
 Class participation includes in-class discussion during critiques, asking questions and
willingness to share any information you think would benefit other students.
ADA Statement
“Reasonable accommodations, as arranged through the Disabilities Services Coordinator, will be
provided students with documented disabilities. Contact the BHSU Disabilities Services
Coordinator at 642-6099 (room 022 in the Student Union) for more information.”
Academic Freedom and Responsibility
“Under Board of Regents and University policy student academic performance may be evaluated
solely on an academic basis, not on opinions or conduct in matters unrelated to academic
standards. Students should be free to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in any
course of study and to reserve judgment about matters of opinion, but they are responsible for
learning the content of any course of study for which they are enrolled. Students who believe
that an academic evaluation reflects prejudiced or capricious consideration of student opinions or
conduct unrelated to academic standards should contact the chair of the department in which the
course is being taught to initiate a review of the evaluation.”
Note from the College of Education: This course supports the College of Education’s
conceptual framework, Preparing Professionals for the 21st Century by presenting to students
the knowledge base for the content they will eventually be teaching. Mastery of content in this
course supports INTASC Standard One: Knowledge of Content and Pedagogy. The course also
partially fulfills content requirements for the K-12 Art Standards as per ARSD 24:16:08:31.
Specifically this course covers Standards 2.1, 2.5, 3.1, 3.5, 4.1 and 4.5.
The above procedures in this course are subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.
Cleanliness:
 Clean up is an important part of each installation project. Don’t leave your artwork
behind as a mess for someone else to find and deal with.
 A clean, well-maintained studio is an important part of making successful pieces of art.
This classroom is a space used by many people. No one likes working in somebody
else’s trash. Pick up after yourself.
A Note on Health and Safety:
Students are advised to wear proper safety protection when necessary.
 Safety glasses are needed when cutting, breaking or building could potentially produce
flying pieces of material.
 Gloves and/or skin protection are needed when using toxic and/or abrasive substances.
 Hearing protection is needed when working around loud noises.
 Respirators are needed when using paint, solvents or other vapor creating substances.
Respirators are also needed when watching or participating in processes that create
large amounts of dust.
 Excessive computer time is hard on your back, hands and eyes. Make sure to take
frequent breaks and do restorative movements consistently.
Some materials used in the manufacturing of art products are toxic. Carefully read all warning labels on all
products and follow directions. Always work in a well-ventilated area. If available, select products marked “CP
Nontoxic”, “AP Nontoxic” or “No Health Label Required”. If you have any questions about the materials or the
processes being used, please ask the instructor.
NO SPRAY PAINT OR OTHER TOXIC MATERIAL MAY BE USED IN THIS CLASS.
AT ALL.
EVER
Art-292/492 Installation CALENDAR
DATE
IN CLASS DISCUSSION TOPIC
ASSIGNMENT FOR NEXT WEEK
New Worlds
Thursday
DAY
01/17
Review Syllabus
Eggs
Image of Cave Paintings
Tuesday
Thursday
01/22
01/24
Egg Critique, Group 1
Egg Critique, Group 2
Tuesday
Thursday
01/29
01/31
Plastic Critique, Group 1
Plastic Critique, Group 2
Tuesday
Thursday
Collecting
Tuesday
Thursday
02/05
02/07
Foil Critique, Group 1
Foil Critique, Group 2
02/12
02/14
Clothing Critique, Group 1
Clothing Critique, Group 2
Tuesday
Thursday
02/19
02/21
Book Critique, Group 1
Book Critique, Group 2
Tuesday
Thursday
02/26
02/28
String Critique, Group 1
String Critique, Group 2
Tuesday
Thursday
Inside/Outside
Tuesday
Thursday
03/04
03/06
Catch up day, Work on CD
Catch up day, Work on CD
03/11
03/13
Catch up day, Work on CD
Catch up day, Work on CD
Plastic Wrap, Image of
Church/Temple/Mosque interior
Aluminum Foil,
Image of Amusement Park
Clothing
Image of Ann Hamilton work
Books/Text
Image of Jenny Holzer
String
Image of Sarah Sze work
Light Bulbs
Image of Dan Flavin work
Dots
Image of Yayoi Kusama w ork
Canned Food
Image of Robert Gober work
SPRING BREAK & EASTER BREAK (03/15 to 03/24)
Tuesday
Thursday
03/25
03/27
Light Bulbs, Dots Critique, Group 1
Light Bulbs, Dots Critique, Group 2
Preliminary CD Due
Tuesday
Thursday
Reordering Nature
Tuesday
Thursday
04/01
04/03
Food, Duct Tape Critique, Group 1
Food, Duct Tape Critique, Group 2
04/08
04/10
Spoon Critique, Group 1
Spoon Critique, Group 2
Tuesday
Thursday
04/15
04/17
Sticks Critique, Group 1
Sticks Critique, Group 2
Tuesday
Thursday
04/22
04/24
Book Layout, Group 1
Book Layout, Group 2
Tuesday
Thursday
04/29
05/01
Book Critique, Group 1
Book Critique, Group 2
05/05 through 05/09
Duct Tape
Image of Christo & Jeanne-Claude
Spoons
Image of Andrea Zittel work
Sticks
Image of Andy Goldsworthy work
Dirt
Image of Francis Alys work
Rocks
Image of Robert Smithson work
Self Portrait
Image of Ana Mendieta work
Final exam week—Finished CD due at the time of our scheduled Final.