Course: FA/VISA 3022 B 3.0 Painting: The Spaces We Live In
Term: Winter 2015
Prerequisite: FA/VISA 1000 3.00; six credits from 202x series of courses.
Course Instructor: Yam Lau
Office: Centre for Fine Arts, Rm. 237
yamlau@yorku.ca
FB Group: The Space We Live in 2015
Web: Yorku.ca/yamlau
Time and Location
Tuesday 9:30-1:30 CFA Rm. 340
Expanded Course Description
This is a thematic studio course that invites students to examine the complex meanings of the spaces they
live and work in. Through artistic research, students will learn to pay attention to how their environment is
built, designed and used, as well as the way their environment impacts their lives as individuals and citizens.
They will also develop strategies to transform and revision their environment through art projects of any
media (including painting). As a research-based and partly self-directed course, emphasis will be placed on
how research informs the development of contemporary art strategies. Contemporary ideas related to the
environment, the idea of the citizen and the individual will be introduced through class discussions.
Course Learning Objectives
The course is designed on the belief that an awareness of one’s environment could lead to a dynamic and
rich existence. Therefore the primary objective is to forge an awareness of the complex potentialities of
spaces, as well as one’s agency to transform spaces through research and creative projects. Students will
develop a refined and critical appreciation of spaces through the cultivation of contemporary artistic
vocabularies and strategies.
Bibliography
Books
Montgomery, Charles, Happy City, Doubleday Canada, 2013
Jacob, Jane, The Death and Life of Great American Cities, New York: Random House
Web
http://www.janeswalk.net/
http://www.ecocitybuilders.org/
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/nov/01/secrets-worlds-happiest-cities-commute-property-prices
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjhMQM8eaVY
Movies
Alphaville - Jean Luc-Godard, Blade Runner-Ridley Scott, Koyaanisqatsi- Godfrey Reggio, PaytimeJacques Tati, My Uncle- Jacques Tati, Rear Window-Hitchcock
Evaluation
1. Research Project: 30%
2. Research Proposal: 15%
3. Final Project: 40%
4. Participation and Attendance 15%
Projects
Project 1: My daily passage and our environment: an exercise in awareness
The project has three parts
1. Field research
On your way to the York campus studio, pay attention and take note of the following:
1. The “character” of the space. Pay attention to the rhythm, texture, sound
2. The speed of your travel
3. The “character” of your motion
4. The state of your mind
2. Artwork
Find ways (concept, technique and material) to document and translate your field research into artworks.
Demonstrate how you pay attention to the environment. Use writing / notation/ photo/ drawing/ painting/
interview/ collage/ video/sound recording. Fill your concept book (and perhaps additional larger scale works)
to its limit.
3. Facebook
Post and share your experience/finding/art/ on facebook group. This is ongoing. You don’t need to worry
about posting masterpieces. Just post anything you think is meaningful about your environment.
Project 2: Research Proposal
Based on your research findings and creative work in Project 1, develop a proposal for a sustained final
project. You must communicate your proposal visually (drawings, mixed media) to your professor. You will
work with the professor to develop the scope and parameters for project 3:Final Project.
You must be ambitious. Don’t think of this as a mere school exercise. Imagine this could have a real impact
in your life and the world. Think of a project that will “cost” you.
Some ideas to think about
How to make a space better (what constitutes “better”) ?
How do you create good qualities in space (by adding conviviality, civility, complexity and variety)?
Project 3: Final Project
Determine your own title, scope of work… Explore and execute ideas in your research proposal. Be
ambitious and make yourself proud!!!!
Class Schedule:
Class 1: January 6
Introduction to the course.
Review of the course outline.
Discussion: On the way to the studio
Facebook group
Class 2: January 13
Discussion: TBA
Classwork
Class 3: January 20
Discussion: TBA
Classwork
Class 4: January 27
Discussion: TBA
Classwork
Class 5: February 3
Selected presentations of field research
Individual research proposal discussions
Class 6: February 10
Individual research proposal discussions
Reading Week: February 17
No class
Class 7: February 24
Selected presentations of Individual research proposal
Final Project
Class 8: March 3
Final Project
Class 9: March 10
Final Project
Class10: March 17
Final Project
Class 11: March 24
Final Project
Class 12: March 31
Review of Final Project
Final course grades may be adjusted to conform to Program or Faculty grades distribution profiles.
Grading, Assignment Submission, Lateness Penalties and Missed Tests
Grading: The grading scheme for the course conforms to the 9-point grading system used in
undergraduate programs at York (e.g., A+ = 9, A = 8, B+ - 7, C+ = 5, etc.). Assignments and tests* will bear
either a letter grade designation or a corresponding number grade (e.g. A+ = 90 to 100, A = 80 to 90, B+ =
75 to 79, etc.)
(For a full description of York grading system see the York University Undergraduate Calendar http://calendars.registrar.yorku.ca/pdfs/ug2004cal/calug04_5_acadinfo.pdf)
Students may take a limited number of courses for degree credit on an ungraded (pass/fail) basis. For full
information on this option see Alternative Grading Option in the Faculty of Fine Arts section of the
Undergraduate Calendar - http://calendars.registrar.yorku.ca/calendars/20102011/faculty_rules/FA/grading.htm
Assignment Submission: Proper academic performance depends on students doing their work not only
well, but on time. Accordingly, assignments for this course must be received on the due date specified for
the assignment. Assignments are to be handed in the painting studio (CFA 340) in area designated by the
professor.
Lateness Penalty: Assignments received later than the due date will be penalized (one-half letter grade (1
grade point) per day that assignment is late). Exceptions to the lateness penalty for valid reasons such as
illness, compassionate grounds, etc., may be entertained by the Course Instructor but will require supporting
documentation (e.g., a doctor’s letter).
Missed Tests: Students with a documented reason for missing a course test, such as illness,
compassionate grounds, etc., which is confirmed by supporting documentation (e.g., doctor’s letter) may
request accommodation from the Course Instructor (extension for due date). Further extensions or
accommodation will require students to submit a formal petition to the Faculty.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Specific requirements: art supplies for painting, clothes for painting
IMPORTANT COURSE INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS
All students are expected to familiarize themselves with the following information, available on the Senate
Committee on Curriculum & Academic Standards webpage (see Reports, Initiatives, Documents)
http://www.yorku.ca/secretariat/senate_cte_main_pages/ccas.htm
• York’s Academic Honesty Policy and Procedures/Academic Integrity Website
• Ethics Review Process for research involving human participants
• Course requirement accommodation for students with disabilities, including physical, medical,
systemic, learning and psychiatric disabilities
• Student Conduct Standards
• Religious Observance Accommodation