Feb 6th Preface and Chapter One

Now we get into the good stuff!

 I love two simple yet layered concepts presented in the preface. One, that studio craft is handwork with aesthetic intent and two, the need for a contention with the material.  What great thoughts. When I teach at the undergrad level any of my former students (some of whom are in this class) can tell you that I do like talking about or teaching elements and principles of design as such . I think of them as part of  the art language but not  a motivation nor a reason to create. I believe in the art heart. The passion and desire to make art/ make something/ then make some else. The above two concepts could be tattooed on my art heart....intent and connection.

So as you respond to this chapter remember you answer 3 questions:
What surprised you?
What impressed you?
What are you taking away with you?

Refer to actual artists/ movements.

Time on our hands

Tech began late this year, Thursday was the first day of class. I have set Feb 6th as the date for your first posting over actual material. This was designed to allow everyone to actually get onto the site  and to have the book. Because so many of you are already on site and have introduced yourselves I have a challenge  for you, first consider the following'
In " Sloppy Craft: Postdisciplinarity and the Crafts"edited by Elaine Cheasley Paterson and Susan Surette, chapter 6,  page 109,  Gloria Hickey reflects on a lecture by Paul Greenhalgh given at the Neo Craft Conference in 2007 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. In brief a summery of his talk is;

"Morris (as in William Morris, Arts and Crafts Movement ) has been dead for about 100 years; its time to come up with something new. This was do or die time for craft theory. As far as makers were concerned , there was no more exciting time for craft. It was time for the craft theorists to catch up and figure out why." 

I know this is not a theory class but I also understand that much of what we say about craft  or craft vs art is actually based on the what we have picked up about the  Arts and Crafts movement. More precisely  what we have been taught  or not taught about this intense time. Glass, clay  and wood are considered  craft, so is metals and many times printmaking.  If you are primarily a painter I ask you leave behind any sense of superiority . The same for anyone working only in bronze or marble. Now think about your art making ....how do you approach a piece, how do you determine its worth both financially and emotionally and sentimentally. What is the worth of your work? Hold on to those thoughts, now begin to come up with your theory on craft. Not a quick dismissal. Take some time. Use what you know about making and learning and  sharing. What is the value of craft?

This will be an ongoing question.

Books for class

Book for 5360   Spring 2016

Traditional Studio Crafts

The main text is:

 Makers; A History of American Studio Crafts, Janet Koplos and Bruce Metcalf, 2010

Then pick one from the following 10  books:

Clay

The White Road: A Journey Into An Obsession, Edmund de Waal, 2015

Rozanne Swentzell: Extra-Ordinary People, Gusie Fauntleroy, 2002

Glass

Fire into Ice: Adventures in Glass Making, James Houston, 1998

Chihuly Over Venice, Dale Chihuly, 2002

Wood

Against the Grain, Lowey Sims, 2012

Audacious: The Fine Art of Wood, Dean, Lahikaineu/Verlyn Klinkenborg  2015

Metals

Unique by Design: Contemporary Jewelry in the Donner Schneier Collection,  Suzanne Ranijak, 2014

Bedazzled: 5000 years of Jewelry , The Walter Art Museum, Sabine Albersmier, 2005

Fiber

Scrape the Willow Till It Sings, Deborah Valoma, 2013

Opulence: The Kimonos and Robes of Itchiku Kubota, 1985

In addition view on of the episodes from Craft in America through PBS or Amazon.

Syllabus

Spring 2016

Art 5360 Seminar in Art Education: “Traditional Studio Crafts”

Future Akins-Tillett, Associate Professor of Art

future.akins@ttu.edu

Last day to drop a class without a penalty

Feb 5, 2015

Catalog Description

Topics very per course from faculty research to publication processes, ecology, technology, interpretation, and issues of power, privilege, and ideology. May be repeated for credit.

Prerequisites

Graduate standing and permission of instructor.

Overview of Class

This class will explore the history of contemporary studio crafts in America.

For the first book “ Makers: A History of American Studio Craft’ you will report weekly on your readings. Posts are due by midnight on Saturday. I will read and comment on each entry.

In addition you will be required to respond to a minimum of two of your classmates each week. You cannot respond to the same two people week after week. How this works is that you will need to post your thoughts on chapter 2 and your responses to two of your classmates over chapter 1 by Saturday, Feb.13, midnight. This is only confusing at first.

I ask you to listen to each other with respect. This is not a place to dominate or to be judgmental. We will be looking at a rich and exciting history usually left out of universities art studies, which deserves respectful attention.

 If at anytime an issue develops and you feel a need to contact me directly or privately do not hesitate to write me at future.akins@ttu.edu.

Outcomes

1. Students will examine the history of American studio crafts.

2. Students will compare the information gained with the previous knowledge from their art classes.

3. Students will apply the gained knowledge to their own creative practice.

Assessments

1.Students will be able to reflect, analyze and discuss contemporary/ traditional approaches to studio crafts through their weekly writings.

2.students will review contemporary crafts as presented through the Craft in America series.

2.Students will create a work of art based on or in response to the readings and write a summative essay, 500- 700 words, over their readings /viewings/ creative practice.

Attendance Policy

Your attendance is necessary in order to make this class a successful learning experience. If you know you will be unable to respond on the blog during the set time it is your responsibility to notify me in advance and make arrangements to make up work. Continued absences will have a direct impact on your grade. You are expected to respond to the postings within the week in order to have a continuous dialog. Responding late, in bulk messages, is unfair and puts the other students at a disadvantage. Your grade will reflect this practice.

Absence due to officially approved trips.

The Texas Tech University Catalog states that the person for a student missing class due to a trip should notify the instructor of the department in advance of the trip. The may not be penalized and is responsible for the material missed.

Religious Holy Days (O.P. 34.19)

“Religious holy days” means a holy day observed by a religion whose place of worship are exempt from property taxation under Tax Code 11.20. A student who intends to observe a religious holy day should make that intention know in writing to the instructor prior to the absence. A student who is absent from classes for the observance of a religious holy day shall be allowed to take an examination or complete an assignment scheduled for that within a reasonable time after the absence. A student who is excused may not be penalized for the absence; however, the instructor may respond appropriately if the student fails to complete the assignment satisfactory.

American with Disabilities Act

Any student, who because of a disabling condition may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements, should contact the instructor as soon as possible to make any necessary accommodations. Students should present appropriate verification form Student Disability Services to the instructor. Please note instructors are to provide classroom accommodations to a student until appropriate verification from Student Disability Services office at 335 West Hall or 806.742.2405 (American with Disabilities Act, July 26,1990).

Health and Safety Policy

Every effort will be made to comply with the intent of state laws or act sand the University Health and Safety Program in an effort to maintain a safe academic and working environment. Information and awareness of safety factor will be included in course content.

Civility in the Classroom

Students are expected to assist in maintaining an online classroom environment that is conductive to learning. In order to assure that all students have an opportunity to gain from time spent in class, inappropriate behavior such as vulgarity, personal attacks, or attempts to intimidate another student within the online posts and responses shall result in minimally a request to leave the class.

Conflict Resolution The Student Resolution Center is available to assist students with any conflict or problem that has to do with being a student at Texas Tech University. You may visit the Student Resolution Center in the Student Union Building or call 742-4791

Academic Integrity  “It is the aim of the faculty of Texas Tech University to foster a spirit of complete honesty and high standard of integrity. The attempt of students to present as their own any work not honestly performed is regarded by the faculty and administration as a most serious offense and renders the offenders liable to serious consequences, possibly suspension” (2011-12 Texas Tech Student Handbook, page 8). “Academic dishonesty” includes, but it not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, falsifying academic records, misrepresenting facts, and any act designed to give unfair academic advantage to the student.” (For the specific definitions of Academic Misconduct, see 2011-2012 Texas Tech Student Handbook, page 28). This includes, but is not limited to, submission of essentially the same written assignment for two courses without the prior permission of the instructor or the attempt to commit such an act.

Semester Mapping

All posts are due by midnight on Saturdays.

Jan 30               Introductions. Share a little something about who you are: do you teach (if so where, what level), what kind of art do you do and most importantly what do you think about crafts at this time. Be honest. Do not write what you think I want to hear. What were you taught about crafts, or were you taught anything at all. This is our beginning point.

For the next 11 weeks we will be reading “ Makers”. For each

chapter answer the following 3 questions: What surprised you?

What impressed you? What are you taking away with you? Site

references within the chapter.

Feb 6     Chapter 1 and preface.

Feb 13   Chapter 2 and respond to classmates on Chap 1

Feb 20   Chapter 3 and respond to classmates on Chap 2

Feb 27   Chapter 4 and respond to classmates on Chap 3

Mar 5   Chapter 5 and respond to classmates on Chap 4

Mar 12  Chapter 6 and respond to classmates on Chap 5

Mar 19  Spring Break…a good time to catch up and/or

                work on your art work

Mar 26  Chapter 7 and respond to classmates on Chap 6

Ap  2   Chapter 8 and respond to classmates on Chap 7

Ap 9   Chapter 9 and respond to classmates on Chap 8

Ap 16 Chapter 10 and chapter 11, and respond to classmates

            on chap 9

Ap 23   Your review of one or more programs from PBS’s Craft

               in America

Ap 30  Your review of the book you choose from the list

              Provided

May 7 Your art work and final essay

 Final Project/Essay Due

For a final exam you are to create a work of art (your choice of medium) inspired /influenced by the readings. In addition you will write a short essay (500-700 words) describing your process, reasoning, and /or focus for the work created.

Grade Rubric

Postings and responses (10x 5 points)       50

Review of DVD                                                10

Individual Book                                              10

Individual Art work                                           15

Essay over art work                                          15

90-100               A

80-89                 B

70-79                 C

60-69                 D

Below 60            F