Undergraduate Course: Introduction to Sculpture (LLLA07266)
Course Outline
| School | Centre for Open Learning |
College | College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 7 (Year 1 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | This course will provide students with a broad overview and critical appreciation of sculpture, with a particular focus on sculptural practices over the past 100 years. Students will be introduced to a range of 3D making techniques including working with clay, card, plaster and found materials as a foundation for producing their own personal project. |
| Course description |
1) Academic Description
To introduce students to the theories, techniques, core concepts and definitions of sculpture within the field of fine art. The course aims to develop a broad appreciation and understanding of sculptural theory and practice with particular reference to European and North American traditions of sculpture over the last century. Students will be informed about and guided through the use of some traditional making materials including card, clay, casting plaster, plaster bandage and wire, and introduced to making techniques such as clay construction methods, mould making, relief casting, basic armature building and addition/ subtraction techniques. These making experiences will then be explored within the context of contemporary sculpture alongside other approaches such as abstraction, assemblage, appropriation and conceptual sculpture.
2) Outline Content
The course will cover:
Introduction and overview of sculpture practice set mainly within the European and North American canon of the 20th and 21st Centuries.
Introduction to a range of primary materials and basic sculpture making techniques including constructing in 3D with card, clay and plaster.
Experimental making and improvisation.
Assemblage and appropriation; working with found, ready-made and appropriated materials and objects.
Critical reflection on makers motivation; the 'why?' and 'how?' of the creative process.
Examine context in relation to making; artist's personal identity and experience, time, place, purpose and narrative.
Examine context in relation to exhibiting; permanent or temporary, indoors/outdoors, gallery/civic space/wilderness, sustainability.
Develop and demonstrate a personal research focus, theme or direction.
Create an individual sculpture or series of sculptures, maquettes, proposals or experimental works.
3) Student Learning Experience
The contact hours of this course will be delivered in fit-for-purpose art and design studios and will include a range of theoretical and contextual presentations and discussions. This course involves hands-on learning approaches with introductions to techniques, processes, concepts and practical and experimental making. By working through a series of activities, both in and out-with the class, students will focus on developing a series of studies based on ideas, observations and insights which they will use to develop into more resolved works.
The course will draw from some group and collaborative activities leading towards a focus on individual interests and personal projects. Over the course the students' progress will be monitored and supported by the tutor via presentations, practical demonstrations, one to one tuition, group discussions and critiques.
For the necessary study hours, out with class contact time, students will be required to self-motivate their personal learning with direction provided in advance by the tutor. Directed study will include research into a range of suggested artists and associated movements to engender a contextual awareness. Students will be expected to demonstrate how their research has informed their work with particular attention given to the student's use of sketchbooks, photography and critical note-keeping from gallery visits and fieldwork.
There will be an emphasis on keeping a Learning Journal throughout the course, which should provide a clear and continuous reflective record of any research, ideas and practical work, and a place to record and analyse any challenges experienced and reflect upon how they were addressed.
The students will benefit from one to one tuition, and discussion in pairs and through group crits where they will be encouraged to talk about their work and the challenges faced. They will also be exposed to listening to the ideas of the other students and how to take on board and make constructive comments.
Formative feedback will be offered by the course tutor to the student via their Learning Journals. On completion of the course, students will be required to meet the three learning outcomes.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Demonstrate an enquiring and experimental approach with a range of ideas, through exploring visual concepts and materials supported by contextual research and references.
- Demonstrate a practical competency and curiosity for exploring materials, techniques and making methods to communicate personal ideas.
- Select, edit and present a range of resolved and coherent sculptural forms that show an informed and individual response to the research and reflection.
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Reading List
COLLINS, J. 2007, Sculpture Today. Phaidon
DUBY, G and DAVAL, J. (Eds) 2013, Sculpture: From Antiquity to the Present Day. Taschen
PALMEDO, P. F. 2015, Experience of Modern Sculpture, Schiffer
WOOD, J. HULKS, D. and POTTS, A. (Eds) 2012, Modern Sculpture Reader, Getty
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Ability to apply critical research and reflective practice within the discipline of sculpture set within the broader context of visual arts and culture.
Hold a basic but critical knowledge of key developments and movements in the field of contemporary sculpture.
Demonstrate the use of composition, design and improvisation in the development of 3D ideas and objects.
Demonstrate a range of sculptural construction techniques and confidence in working through conceptual development to resolved artworks.
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| Keywords | Sculpture,3D design,fine art |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Mr Oliver Reed
Tel:
Email: Oliver.Reed@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mr John Ethcuit
Tel: (0131 6)50 3409
Email: jethcuit@exseed.ed.ac.uk |
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