Assignment I
Artists' Cinema
We are extremely fortunate in that the Walker Art Center has brought together an incredible collection of artist talks, screenings, installations, and a rotating program of free films all happening in and around the time of our class. We will be attending several of these events together, but you will also be required to attend a minimum of three of the eight events listed below prior to the beginning of the class. On the first day of class, please come prepared to engage in an active discussion of the work, the artists, and the issues and techniques surrounding the work. Check Walker Schedule Page for Cinema times and dates.
Due - May 31
Assignment II
Tell your creative [process] story, without the story:
Create a 1minute (min) – 5 minute (max) video documenting your process. Keep in mind the examples and discussion; this is not a “documentary” in the traditional sense, this is a video that both documents your process, and is also an experimental video work in and of itself. This is not about telling the story of how you came to be an artist, this is about you telling the story of your process, without a linear narrative.
Artists' Cinema
We are extremely fortunate in that the Walker Art Center has brought together an incredible collection of artist talks, screenings, installations, and a rotating program of free films all happening in and around the time of our class. We will be attending several of these events together, but you will also be required to attend a minimum of three of the eight events listed below prior to the beginning of the class. On the first day of class, please come prepared to engage in an active discussion of the work, the artists, and the issues and techniques surrounding the work. Check Walker Schedule Page for Cinema times and dates.
Due - May 31
Assignment II
Tell your creative [process] story, without the story:
Create a 1minute (min) – 5 minute (max) video documenting your process. Keep in mind the examples and discussion; this is not a “documentary” in the traditional sense, this is a video that both documents your process, and is also an experimental video work in and of itself. This is not about telling the story of how you came to be an artist, this is about you telling the story of your process, without a linear narrative.
*check Resource Page for more info
Due - June 2
Assignment III
After our visit to Midway, spend the rest of the day in your assigned groups brainstorming and shooting video for the follow assignment:
Create a 3 minute (minimum) – 5 minute (maximum) that attempts dislocate the viewer/participant in time.
Any medium, any subject is fair game as long as the central theme is about shifting in time.
See Resource Page for more info.
Due - June 3
Assignment IV: Character Study
Taking inspiration from artist such as Ming Wong, Cindy Sherman, Kalup Linzy, Mika Rottenberg, and Ryan Trecartin, investigate a character of your own creation, revolving around the idea of waste (1 minute minimum). What is the characters story? How much visual information do you need in order to communicate the characters situation? How can you communicate in visually indirect ways, without simply showing a literal representation onscreen? What role does the surrounding environment play?
Due June 7
Assignment V: The Event
The Event: As you know, Northern Spark is this weekend. Your assignment for the event is two-fold:
1- go to as many activities as possible, this truly is a one a kind event - more than 200 artists are presenting 100 installations and performances - from the top of the Foshay Tower to boat rides along the Mississippi to light sculptures and projections to performances galore, including car horn and brass band fanfares, color guards, river dancing, sewer pipe organs, lullabies, and storytelling – it is going to be amazing.
2- Thinking in terms of the “documenting” style with which you approached Assignment II, create a 5 minute video that deals with spectacle, crowds, movement and the individual content of the event. Try to avoid “documenting” Northern Spark as the event itself, and think of it more as source material for your own personal project. Remember that the image and subject is just one part of the larger whole: how you treat it – what you reveal, the audio, pace, etc. – is what the viewer actually interacts with; use this to your advantage to tell us a different kind of story.
Due June 6
Assignment VI: Software
Interactive assignment (in class):
voice reactive Jitter patch
Experiment with various VJ softwares, sound, and image
Due June 7
Assignment VII: Final Installation
Final: Create an installation that incorporates some/a few/ all of the experimental techniques and themes you’ve dealt with over the course thus far. There are no subject, hardware / software, space limitations to the installation, only the parameters you set yourself.
You will start with a proposal - Due at the end of class on the 7th.
Lock on to one or more of the main subjects of each of the past assignments:
Is this installation character based? is it multi-channel? is the projection medium / hardware important to the overall effect? What is it documenting? What role does time and place play?
Aside from a couple morning lectures, the proceeding two days will be about building your installation.
Due June 10
Due - June 2
Assignment III
After our visit to Midway, spend the rest of the day in your assigned groups brainstorming and shooting video for the follow assignment:
Create a 3 minute (minimum) – 5 minute (maximum) that attempts dislocate the viewer/participant in time.
Any medium, any subject is fair game as long as the central theme is about shifting in time.
See Resource Page for more info.
Due - June 3
Assignment IV: Character Study
Taking inspiration from artist such as Ming Wong, Cindy Sherman, Kalup Linzy, Mika Rottenberg, and Ryan Trecartin, investigate a character of your own creation, revolving around the idea of waste (1 minute minimum). What is the characters story? How much visual information do you need in order to communicate the characters situation? How can you communicate in visually indirect ways, without simply showing a literal representation onscreen? What role does the surrounding environment play?
Due June 7
Assignment V: The Event
The Event: As you know, Northern Spark is this weekend. Your assignment for the event is two-fold:
1- go to as many activities as possible, this truly is a one a kind event - more than 200 artists are presenting 100 installations and performances - from the top of the Foshay Tower to boat rides along the Mississippi to light sculptures and projections to performances galore, including car horn and brass band fanfares, color guards, river dancing, sewer pipe organs, lullabies, and storytelling – it is going to be amazing.
2- Thinking in terms of the “documenting” style with which you approached Assignment II, create a 5 minute video that deals with spectacle, crowds, movement and the individual content of the event. Try to avoid “documenting” Northern Spark as the event itself, and think of it more as source material for your own personal project. Remember that the image and subject is just one part of the larger whole: how you treat it – what you reveal, the audio, pace, etc. – is what the viewer actually interacts with; use this to your advantage to tell us a different kind of story.
Due June 6
Assignment VI: Software
Interactive assignment (in class):
voice reactive Jitter patch
Experiment with various VJ softwares, sound, and image
Due June 7
Assignment VII: Final Installation
Final: Create an installation that incorporates some/a few/ all of the experimental techniques and themes you’ve dealt with over the course thus far. There are no subject, hardware / software, space limitations to the installation, only the parameters you set yourself.
You will start with a proposal - Due at the end of class on the 7th.
Lock on to one or more of the main subjects of each of the past assignments:
Is this installation character based? is it multi-channel? is the projection medium / hardware important to the overall effect? What is it documenting? What role does time and place play?
Aside from a couple morning lectures, the proceeding two days will be about building your installation.
Due June 10
