BART 97A20 - Cultural Identity as a vehicle of art

This course is designed to support students in engaging with imaginative, experimental, and interdisciplinary inquiry, primarily exploring the rich theme of *culture and identity*. Through hands-on artistic practice, students will investigate and express their own identities and cultural backgrounds, fostering a reflective understanding of how art can be used as a tool for personal and cultural exploration. The course is structured around three key strands: 1. Artistic Practice in a Multidisciplinary World: This core component encourages students to experiment with various artistic mediums—such as painting, sculpture, performance, and digital media. Students will be given the freedom to explore technical and conceptual possibilities, blending and pushing the boundaries of traditional art forms. The focus will be on self-expression, as students use art to communicate aspects of their identity, culture, and personal experiences. This hands-on approach will foster creativity, encouraging students to think critically about how their work represents their unique perspectives. 2. Critical Engagement with Art: In this strand, students will learn how to observe, analyze, and think critically when engaging with art. They will develop the ability to interpret and discuss artworks in terms of form, content, and cultural relevance, gaining insights into how art reflects and shapes identity and society. Without the use of theoretical texts or writing, this analysis will come from direct observation and discussion, training students to articulate their thoughts and understandings through a visual and practical lens. 3. Socially Engaged Practice: Students will explore how art can engage with broader social issues and act as a form of social commentary or activism. Through their own work, they will investigate the intersection of cultural identities and pressing societal topics such as race, gender, and migration. The focus will be on creating art that addresses these themes in a meaningful way, prompting reflection on how their identities and experiences relate to broader social dynamics. The course culminates in a large, practice-based project where students will integrate the techniques and concepts they've explored into a final artwork or series of works. This project will be presented in a public exhibition, showcasing the students' creative work centered on culture and identity. Each student will also give a short presentation, explaining the context, choices, and cultural relevance of their project, demonstrating a critical understanding of their artistic journey. Through this course, students will be encouraged to explore their identities through art, while developing the ability to critically engage with their own work and the work of others in relation to cultural and societal themes. Academic expectations Engagement in classroom, personal exploration through art, independent research on art/artists which a relative to you culture and/or identity, handing in work on time, creating and exploring different forms of art

Victoria FUREY

Atelier

English

Assignments Culture box: students must bring in items pertinent to their culture and/or identity for a still life box. Sketchbook work and development: drawing a day project Gridwork: close study of particular artwork chosen by student Final project: main artwork created for the exhibition

Spring 2024-2025

-Their general participation and engagement 10% - On development of artistic critical analysis and understanding 15% -Their general development in their chosen artistic discipline 15% -Their final project (40%) -Gridwork project (20%) Late work policy Any late work without reasoning will have a lower grading or will not be accepted. Late arrival policy After minutes you will not be permitted into the classroom (a part for particular circumstances).