FNA2103

Conceptual and alternative practices 1

12 points
* 24 hours per week including 6 studio hours, one 2-hour seminar and 16 independent study hours per week
* First semester
* Caulfield
* Prerequisites: Any fine art major studio or VIS1101 and VIS1102
* Corequisites: None

Objectives On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to locate interests in a given medium (or combination of media) which invite radical exploration; be able to make appropriate decisions regarding the suitability of particular mediums to produce meaningful sensory responses; be able to appreciate the balance of technical and theoretical factors which may inspire the gestation of alternative art; be familiar with examples of historical and contemporary conceptual and alternative practices; have a capacity to express intelligently their artistic ideas in the broad context of social, historical, political and aesthetic frameworks.

Synopsis Students are assisted in developing skills in accessing the facilities and materials necessary to their specific practice. Lecturers provide advice and support for the projects developed by students. The weekly group seminar provides an arena for students to test their conceptual concerns and display work in progress. This forum provides feedback, conceptual challenges and critiques. They are also used to debate topics relevant to conceptual and mixed media practice in general and as a forum for visiting practitioners to display their work and talk to it.

Assessment By folio. Initial project or work-in-progress is assessed in the first part of the semester and contributes a weighting of no less than 20% to the final assessment.

Recommended texts

Archer M Installation art Thames and Hudson, 1994
Burmham J Beyond modern sculpture 3rd printing, George Braziller, 1973
Marsh A Body and self: Performance art in Australia: 1969-1992 OUP, 1993
Morgan R Conceptual art: An American perspective McFarland, 1994