Instructor:
Debbie Mathew Where: La Suerte Biological Research
Station
Course Description:
This
‘outdoor studio’ course will focus upon ecological art. Through lectures, slides, readings and
discussions, students will be introduced to the history, concepts and methods
of contemporary ecological art/artists. Alongside explorations of rainforest
ecology, students will receive demonstrations of how to work with local
materials: clay, grasses, natural fibers, vegetable dyes, yucca starch, rubber
sap, bamboo, adobe, etc., whatever is appropriate to the students’
interests. With these natural materials,
students will create site specific artwork that responds to the cultural and
physical ecology of the surroundings.
“[The ] mission of our times is to develop a new cultural coding for the ecological
age- a more integral language of being and value that can overcome the
devastating consequences of the existing mode of [ ] high consumption and high
waste- then creating an art that is integral with this new coding may well
be the next phase of our aesthetic tradition.” -Suzi Gablik, 1991
Course Objectives:
1) To explore the various forms of contemporary ecological art: Natural, Interpretive & Restorative.
2) To increase ecological awareness: biological, social, and spiritual, in cultural context.
3) To learn how to make art with natural materials, sensitive to ecology of site.
4) To increase cooperative group work skills & apply your knowledge / skills to social problems.
Course Flow & Overview:
The class will meet for approximately
5 hours/day; some of this time will be outdoors and some will be in the
classroom. We are aiming for a holistic
experience that includes investigative activities and integration time. The
former includes ‘naturalist’ & ‘sensory’ hikes,
lectures/demonstrations/discussion, working with local materials, etc. The
latter includes journal writing, siestas and play (swimming? walking without an
agenda, etc.). You will be expected to work more than the ‘meeting times’. We
will aim for 1 day / wk off. A typical day would start out with
breakfast (7am), followed by a hike, then discussion of hike experiences, a
break, then lunch (12 p.m.) followed by some demonstrations or discussion
period, time to play with materials/ideas on your own, siesta, dinner (6pm).
After dinner will be the time for lectures, discussion and sometimes personal
work / integration time. This schedule will vary somewhat.
Week 1: Overview of the course & possibilities; Biological
ecology.
A: Plants, animals and the web of life.
B. Material possibilities from the environment
(to continue through the course).
C. History of Environmental art; forms of
Natural Art.
Week 2:
Integrating social ecology with
art.
A. Ecology of
self and community, including local culture.
B. Types of
Illuminative/Interpretive Ecological Art
C. Making your
own forms of Interpretive Art.
Week 3: Art & Deep Ecology
A. Explorations
of Deep Ecology
B.
Types of
Ecological art focusing on the Spiritual Dimension
C.
Cooperative
art making with explicit social and/or spiritual dimensions; the beginnings.
Week 4: Synthesis
A. Exploring
local culture, ecology & art.
B. Putting
together the final pieces; joining skills and knowledge, theory and practice.
Materials:
All readings are either in a binder/folders or book that I will provide. There will also be many taped presentations that you will listen to; I will also provide these. For each reading/tape, usually two people will read it in advance and share their thoughts before coming to share and discuss. There will be a sign up sheet with the reading materials and the recorded cassette tapes so that you can coordinate and give yourselves plenty of time to read/listen and discuss before we gather for group discussion.
Journal
Writing / Keeping :
There will be a great emphasis on processing your understanding of the material and experiences. Students will use their journal for sketches of ideas, notes from readings / lectures / tapes as well as reflective passages as your ideas evolve throughout the class. Please have it with you at all times.
Ø Regular attendance is required. Your ideas, responses and questions are valued and necessary.
Ø Pre-class
preparation and in-class participation are required. You are expected to engage in class with body
and mind; having read/listened to any assigned readings/tapes thoughtfully, and
you should be prepared to discuss ideas and questions that arise for you. Participation includes attentive listening,
thoughtful questions and responses, and positive contributions to group work.
Grades/Evaluation : for those taking the
course for credit
A= exceeds expectations; B= meets expectations; C= adequate; D= does not meet expectations.
Creative Projects 50%;
Participation 25%; Journal 25%.
Both professor and student evaluate and determine grades. At approximately ½ way through the class, you will be guided in assessing your own progress. I will give you feedback and we will arrive at a mid-class grade. At the end of the course, this process will happen again and a final grade will be determined. In the case of discrepancy the professor has the final say.
Required: Consult your information booklet for a list of equipment and field gear. You do not need blue flagging, calculator, millimeter graph paper or permanent black marker. The clothing suggestions are good. Any kind of wristwatch is fine. In addition to that list, please bring the following….
1. Blank
(or blank and lined) journal: min. of 8.5”x11”
(hardcover is best). Plastic bag to keep out the rain. (You could buy a ‘write
in the rain’ journal, but they are small, so have a bigger sketchbook too)
2. Your
own materials
for the creation of artwork you are considering doing. For example, if you want
to do some drawing &/or painting, bring the specific paper, colored
pencils, charcoal, china ink, paints, pens and brushes you will need. ? Camera and film? For photos in the forest, you need a flash.
3. Any
small hand tools you might be inspired to use: cordless drill & bits,
retractable pruning saw, utility knife, needlenose pliers, light weight wire,
eye protection, sand paper, etc.
4. Leather
and rubber gloves. (not optional)
5. Pencils
(some colored), sharpener, eraser and pens for note taking and exercises.
6. Portable Cassette Player & rechargeable
batteries. I will supply a battery charger.
7. Slides (10 to 20) and/or original artwork (10 pieces) for
presentation to class of your past work.