Week 2: NEAR (CLOSE)

Gericault, Spanish Horse in a Stable, ca. 1815

New word is NEAR (CLOSE). That's close as in close by, or close to. But you know this from hearing me say it at the end of the evening. Let's see where you take it--or where it takes you. Remember, the word made visual, in all senses... Or better, the experience (associations with) the word. To be discovered in the making...

Good group, interesting discussion, and some promising work. We're off to a good start!

Here's the poem I mentioned as well (in relation to Kasey's drawings from first evening's class). It's
by Nasara Reddi, who wrote a kind of haiku in his own South Indian language...Telegu.)

Tonight
alone
heaping up stars
swished by
fishtail.
 

Week I: TOUCH

Paleolithic

The first word is TOUCH. In all possible sense, including the physical and the psychological. Medium is open. What you make should give us an expansive sense of the word, with all the layers necessary.

Course Description

Visual Studies 280: Graduate Seminar
Spring 2015 / 1-3 units
Tuesday Evenings / 6-9:30pm / Room 170 Wurster
Anthony Dubovsky
 
This is a class about imagination and ideas. A road trip, perhaps—or a voyage. We begin each week with a theme—often a single word---as point of departure. Each person in the group does a project inresponse—a drawing, a painting, a collage—the medium is open. In the following class we look at the work, and a conversation ensues. And then, a new word.

Note that the hand is important throughout--how the sense of touch becomes a guide.

Following this format, the class develops a certain rhythm--a kind of opening. Not just in terms of skill (although skill can play a part), but more in finding the right visual language to give form to one’s feelings about and understanding of the surrounding world. A challenge that carries over into any of the design fields—and beyond….

Important: Since discussion is central to each class, students need to be fully confident in spoken English—both comprehension and conversation.

Required: One project each week, made with energy and commitment... Attendance at all class meetings, and a thoughtful web notebook with reproductions of your work, including a short essay about your journey, to be maintained weekly throughout the term. One new post per week, with photo and discussion of your work. Use blogger (blogspot.com) format.

Open to grad students and some seniors from all departments, but limited in enrollment to 12 students. This can be a good place to explore your initial thesis ideas.
If you're interested, send Anthony Dubovsky an e-mail with a paragraph or two about yourself and your backgound in the arts, along with 2-3 jpegs of your work. Make sure your name is on each jpeg. Send before January 15 to the following email address: chambersstreet[at]hotmail.com. Earlier applications will receive priority.

Painting: Anthony Dubovsky, Grand Banks, acrylic on cardboard, 2014