ART 153: Making + Meaning
Instructor: Michael Powell (he/him/his)
Email: powelmic@gvsu.edu
Location: Calder Art Center (CAC) room 1718 and 703
Office Hours: Tues/Thurs from 11am-1pm in 166 Lake Superior Hall
Course Projects: https://sites.google.com/view/art153
Totalling: 3 Credit Hours
In this studio we will focus on understanding and making meaning through a variety of artist studies and projects which use images and objects in a contemporary context.
This will require investigating the contemporary practice of art and design, study in how images and objects work, and the development of basic studio processes and experimentation. The contemporary focus for the course requires that we learn and use digital media forms in combination with traditional media.
The primary studio source is the online collaborative web site (https://sites.google.com/view/art153/making-meaning), which will enable students to view the materials and assignments and upload their projects as a digital hub. We will use Blackboard for grades and for communication. Studio participants are expected to use and check this site regularly, or at least every other day, for announcements and new posts which will be at the top of the home page (blog style). Critical announcements will be posted on blackboard as well.
The focus of the studio is on developing understanding and ability to practice as a visual artist as well as gain awareness and engagement as a citizen. We want to aspire to the best in professional practice, but work in the full context of the larger world of culture, commerce, politics, and civic dialogue. So we will engage the range of visual culture that includes fine art, design, and our daily visual experience.
Typically this course attends several exhibitions, artist talks, and cultural events.
generated creative and imaginative concepts as part of the ideation phase of completing assignments
created and presented basic visual products that demonstrate control and purpose in the meanings they convey.
participated verbally in class critique and discussion, and through written means online, to contribute to the creation of a dynamic and serious studio atmosphere and environment
demonstrated an awareness of the major challenges and opportunities that confront the creative agent in the production of visual cultural products.
understood and controlled contextual considerations in the work and context of presentation.
performed objective and effective assessments of studio products in critique in ways that are humane and considerate.
incorporated a multi-part workflow pattern with discrete checkpoints into each project, beginning with the inventive and imaginative components of studio work, and developing and concluding with the critical, managerial, and editorial components of the creative process.
visual practice/ways of seeing
environments, aka "site specificity"
multiple meanings
interactivity with objects and architecture
context of presentation
contemporary curatorial practices
art intends to interact with viewers
form and content are not separable
"seeing is forgetting the name of the thing one sees" -Lawrence Weschler
every detail is a locus for meaning
meaning is attributed to objects via context/relevance/voice.
Art 153 Making and Meaning is part of GVSU's General Education Program (see attached document below). It is a Foundations- Arts course. You will be assessed for the skills goals that ART 153 addresses the following skills goals. click links for rubric:
Critical and Creative Thinking
A liberal education, of which General Education is a part, is a practical education and one that is the best preparation for life in a fast-changing world. GVSU is committed to providing an excellent liberal education and the General Education Program is a critical component of that education.
Faculty teaching courses in the GE Program help students learn valuable skills and knowledge. Employers want the skills that GE courses are helping to develop including the ability to work with diverse people, excellent written and oral communication skills, a strong sense of ethics, and the ability to be a lifelong learner.
Foundation: Arts
Each course in this category is an introduction to an area of study in the visual and performing arts and includes direct exposure to works of art or live performances and preparation of written responses to the experiences. Students will realize that art functions as a major cultural force in the experiences of individuals and communities. An understanding of the arts helps people to define what is meaningful and significant in life.
Student Learning Outcomes
Knowledge Outcome(s)
Explain principles and questions that define the arts and analysis of formal elements of works of art.
Explain how meaning in the arts is created and interpreted.
Explain historical and cultural contexts for artists and their works.
Skills Outcomes
Critical Thinking: Comprehensively evaluate issues, ideas, artifacts, or events before forming a conclusion
• States an issue clearly and describes it comprehensively.
• Uses appropriate evidence that includes relevant context(s), which facilitates a comprehensive analysis or synthesis of the issue.
• Develops a position that thoroughly takes into account the complexities of an issue, limits of the position, and synthesizes others’ points of view.
• Develops conclusions, implications, and consequences that are logical and reflect an informed evaluation based on strength of evidence.
Oral Communication: Effectively prepare and deliver a formal oral presentation.
• States a thesis that is compelling, precisely stated, appropriately repeated, and strongly linked to the supporting material.
• Organizes the presentation in a clear, consistent, and cohesive manner.
• Uses language that is imaginative, memorable, compelling, appropriate for the audience, and enhances the effectiveness of the presentation.
• Uses delivery techniques that make the presentation compelling and the speaker appears polished and confident.
• Uses a variety of supporting materials that significantly enhances the presentation.
Regular attendance and participation in class activities is considered an essential part of your educational experience and a requirement for an adequate evaluation of your progress. A significant portion of your grade for this course will be based upon participation, which includes being on time, being prepared, remaining present for the entire period, and honoring the classroom policies listed above (wearing a face covering, washing hands, cleaning your area with disinfectant at the end of each session). You will be considered late if you arrive after the class is scheduled to begin. You will be considered missing if you leave before class has ended.
Throughout the semester there will be live presentations, demonstrations, discussion, and of course open studio time. This content is essential to the course.
Absences will impede your ability to engage with this content, which will in turn impact your participation grade.
If it is necessary that you miss class, you remain responsible for learning what was covered, and taking measures to “make up” that content, if possible. If you miss more content than can be effectively made up - so much that it would undermine your ability to successfully complete the course - I will ask you to withdraw.
Our work starts at the listed beginning time. Each absence is reflected in one less point in the “Attendance” category in the grading criteria outlined below. Arriving after that or leaving early results in 1/2 less point. If you arrive late it becomes your responsibility to find an appropriate time during that studio day to remind the professor to change the attendance record.
Grading Scale
40% Attendance (showing up)
40% Project Discussions (Participating daily)
8% Project Finals (Physical Prints, Objects, Installations, Curatorial Booklets)
8% Exercises/Assignments (Website Content, Studio time & project submissions to google drive)
4% Presentation (one-time short presentation under 5 min on an artist of your choosing)
Grades are the result of a combination of points that are earned in two ways. One through your scores on projects. The other is in a studio performance assessment. You will get a performance report at midterm and then again at the end of the studio. Your studio performance points are added to your project points to reach a total for the studio. Success in the studio requires attention to both projects and studio performance.
A - Outstanding. The work is both conceptually and formally/technically excellent, and there is a rich and considered relationship between form and content. It shows critical thinking and engagement with course material and stands out for its strength.
B - Good. The work is an engaging response to the assignment and is successfully executed, both formally and technically. It is not particularly distinguished or ambitious or is not thoroughly developed.
C - Achieves the requirements of the assignment, but does not stand out as clear, strong, or ambitious.
D - Poor; does not satisfy the minimum requirements of the assignment; generally unsatisfactory in terms of quality and clarity.
F - You probably did not submit a finished assignment.
In class studio - short and long term studies and exercises in varied media
Individual, Small Group, and Large Group work
Training and proficiency sessions in computing studio
Discussion and Critique - individual and group
Long term projects assigned during course
regular conceptual development -sketches, notes, brainstorming
The structure and operation of the class will be conducted as a "Community of Practice". With the purpose of maximizing applicable learning these following practices are valued.
Information and knowledge is readily distributed and shared.
Substantive social interaction is valued because learning is fundamentally social.
Knowledge is integrated in the activity of the group.
Learning is an act of membership in a community of practice. "Knowing" and "learning" require engaging in practice.
Learning requires empowerment and responsibility."Our intelligence is not just based on how "smart" we are, but reflects the richness of the learning communities we have organized for ourselves." - J. Cleveland and P.Stark
A significant part of the course is an introduction to digital media, or the use of computing technologies in the production of visual art.
Two major technical objectives are:
1. Resolution: using the appropriate pixels per inch for your output. This is controlled by paying attention to image size (how many pixels does your image have). This includes acquiring the optimum image size and handling the image so this size/quality is maintained. This is where scanner and digital camera settings come in. It also requires an understanding of resolutions appropriate for various outputs. 72 pix/inch for output to monitors (internet), 200 pix/inch for output to laser printing, 300 plus for professional printing.
2. Maintaining Project Files: keeping all primary and resource documents organized. This involves understanding when a digital project is a standalone document and when alternately it is using other files as resources. It also involves keeping and organized and appropriate structure to your digital files as you store and move them from media to media. Digital files that use external sources include; html or web files, desk-top publishing programs such as illustrator, and indesign, and image organizing/presenting programs like bridge.
computer with audio/video for editing software
one sd card -at least 2 gb
if you have a digital camera to use for the class (minimum 5megapixels) you do not need the sd card
BUDGET FOR STUDIO EXPENSES (approx $100)
Various art supplies as needed that may overlap other course materials. Sketchpad/notebook, scissors, x-acto knife and 10-pack of blades, hot glue gun (hot glue), 1 piece sandpaper 80-120 grit
Various found, collected, and purchased project-specific materials and supplies - thrift shopping
Professional printing fees through the Digital Print Shop. The minimum cost of printing is roughly $18.
The following links provide information regarding policies that apply to all courses taught at Grand Valley State University.
General Academic Policies from the Student Academic Success Center
Academic Calendar and Final Exam Schedule from the Registrar
Academic Integrity from the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution
Syllabus Statement from Disability Support Resources
Commitment to Inclusion and Equity and Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Policy from Division of Inclusion & Equity
Title IX Website on Sex-Based Discrimination and Sexual Misconduct from Office for Title IX and Institutional Equity (TIXIE)
Context for Expressive Activity from Dean of Students Office
GVSU remains committed to supporting you because of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and is here to help you in times of financial need, including technology requirements. Financial hardship funds are available to help students meet their basic needs, and help cover educational costs (such as housing, food, and textbooks) that a student could not otherwise pay out of pocket. Please visit the GVSU Special Circumstance & Financial Hardship Requests web page for more information.
Participation in this studio course may involve exposure to equipment, chemicals, plants or animals that could cause adverse reactions to individuals with certain allergies or sensitivities. If you have a medical condition that requires additional precautions or accommodations for participation in this lab, or if you need additional information, please contact GVSU’s Disability Support Resources. If symptoms develop during or immediately following a lab, notify your instructor or dial 911 for emergency assistance.
subject to additions and modifications
Week 1
August 29/30
Cover syllabus, google Site, Art 21 Schedule, Slideshow survey
Homework: Art 21 , google Site intro page with image.
optional- a blog post on your favorite image from first day images folder
August 31/September 1
Present Intro Sites, Image and bio due, viewing Art21: Paul Pfeiffer, Arturo Herrera, john berger?
Homework: Art 21 video journal
Week 2
September 5/6 (Labor day 9/5 - no class for Monday)
Discussion, and practices around words
Homework: Art 21 Video journal, listen to a grain of sand speaking
September 7/8
Interim Crit, Camera intro, in camera collage exercise
Homework: Art 21 video journal, Action studio
Week 3
September 12/13
Art21 and image studio
Homework: Art 21 video journal
September 14/15
Homework: Art 21 video journal
Week 4
September 19/20
Editing in Studio
Homework: Art 21 video journal, upload and embed images
September 21/22
Homework: reading
Week 5
September 26/27
Review reading, Critique Final Images
Homework: Art 21 video journal
September 28/29
Homework: Homework: Art 21 video journal
Week 6
October 3/4
outline new assignment
Homework: Art 21 video journal, refine presentation topics
October 5/6
Presentations during studio
Homework: Art 21 video journal
Week 7
October 10/11
Presentations
October 12/13
Open Studio; web maintenance
Week 8
October 17/18
Intro Image/Text, erasure exercise
Homework: Art 21 video journal
October 19/20
Homework: Art 21 video journal
Week 9
October 24/25
SPRING BREAK
October 26/27
Week 10
October 31/November 1
Interim Crit, Photoshop Intro, citation exercise
Homework: Art 21 video journal
November 2/3
Interim Crit, repetition exercise
Homework: Art 21 video journal, Image/Text studio
Week 11
November 7/8
objects in motion
Homework: Art 21 video journal,
November 9/10
Final crits
Homework: Art 21 video journal, procure objects
Week 12
November 14/15
Homework: Art 21 video journal
November 16/17
Plastic as Adjective studio
Homework: Art 21 video journal,
Week 13
November 21/22
Homework: Art 21 video journal,
November 23/24
Homework: Art 21 video journal,
Week 14
November 21/22
InDesign demo
Homework: upload documentation, 3 themes
November 23/24 (Spring Break No Class)
Curating the Contemporary Studio, focus theme, image inventory, draft design
Homework: catalog essay outline, refine design
Week 15
November 28/29
Art 21 Video Journal Due
essay outline and catalog design, Curating the Contemporary studio, demo printing and binding
Homework: TBD
November 30/December 1
Curating printing and presenting
Homework: print and bind, upload pdf
Exam Week
December 5/6
Exam Prep: Drop-in trouble-shooting studio
December 7/8
Exam: Final Critique
