Ground truth is the evidence that one uncovers/discovers by visiting, examining, collecting and recording sensorial data of geographical location or place. Physical engagement with a place through immersion and observation becomes a catalyst for developing a methodololgy for knowing and making. One place that has a history of employing this methodology for understanding place is Paris, the archetype of the pedestrian city where boundaries between interior and exterior spaces are blurred. Modern day Paris was designed to happen “in public on the street and among society”—the markets, the cafes, the Champs de Elysees, the courtyard of the Louvre and countless other places. (Solnit, 200). Movement through public space is a lifestyle embedded in the psyche of those who inhabit Paris.
The landscape of Paris has been the muse for many great artists who found inspiration in it’s collection of stories, its ability to be a memory of itself, and for its rich, diverse culture. In this course, students will investigate the old and the new city, weaving the past and the present through the physicality of walking, experiencing, reflecting in the tradition of the flaneaur. As practitioners of the city, students will relate image data with known artifacts on the ground and interpret their topographical narratives into artworks. Students will use a variety of approaches to both drawing media and digital devices as resources to collect and construct images.
School of Art and Art History faculty members, Katerie Gladdys (Digital Media) and Lauren Garber Lake (Drawing and Printmaking) will team-teach this class. Both are interested in the ways that artists work in communities using methodologies that evoke memory and narrative as a means for both understanding place and creating art.
Attendance is mandatory and any absences will affect your performance. Your final grade will be lowered one letter grade for each absence. Arrive to the class on time; participate in activities, stay in communication with instructors. You must stay for the entire class. If you leave early it will count as an unexcused absence.
Your participation in class will reflect your enthusiasm for the course. We expect everyone to be present both physically and mentally during discussions,tours, demos, and critiques/reviews. We expect all students to be courteous and considerate while working together in the classroom, and in the field. Proper etiquette is imperative when working in large groups.
Work submitted any time after the due date will be graded down one letter grade per class meeting. Any assignments not completed by the end of the course will result in course failure. No work resubmission will be accepted.
All documentation of works produced and process notes, sketchbook are due by August 10, 2007. This documentation will be used in an exhibition at the University of Florida Focus Gallery- October 29- December 7th
The final grade is a cumulative grade based on how well you accomplished course objectives and requirements.
Completion and documentation of all assignments -70%
Class participation -30%
A = Superlative work: careful attention to craft and presentation. Originality of idea and execution work together. Goes beyond merely solving the problem – one who performs at this level is visibly outstanding, work is outstanding in every respect.
B+ = Very fine work: almost superlative. A few minor changes could have been considered and executed to to bring piece together. Again, goes beyond merely solving the problem.
B = Above average: solution to the problem and idea well planned. Execution is well done. This is an honorable grade.
C+ = A bit above average: slipping in levels of originality, craft and presentation. The piece does not work well as a unified whole or statement yet effort was made.
C = You have solved the problem: the requirements of the problem are met in a relatively routine way.
D+ = You have solved the problem but there is much room for improving your skills and developing your concepts further. You have neglected the basic craftsmanship skills and breadth and depth of idea development.
D = Inadequate work: the requirements of the problem are not addressed. The piece represents careless and/ or incomplete effort. Work is substandard.
E = Unacceptable work and effort
Students are expected to abide by the UF Academic Honesty Policy, found on the World Wide Web at http://www.dso.ufl.edu/judicial/honestybrochure.html which defines an academic honesty offense as “act of lying, cheating, or selling academic information so that one can gain academic advantage.”
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to register with the Dean of Students Office and submit to this instructor the memorandum from that office concerning necessary accommodations. The ADA office (www.ada.ufl.edu) is located in room 232 Stadium (phone: 392-7056 TDD: 846-1046).