ARTS236 - Ceramics/Multimedia

Year

Credit points

Campus offering

Prerequisites

Unit rationale, description and aim

As a creative practitioner, it is vital to have creative problem-solving skills and a personal visual language.

In this unit students will become increasingly confident and proficient in achieving their personal visual aesthetic by responding to a series of creative briefs. This unit develops skills and design approaches in the production of 3D forms in ceramics or multimedia and develops studio-led research practices to inform their artworks. The work of Indigenous artists and discussion around the protocols specific to the ethical use of cultural heritage material in visual arts practice will also be examined in this unit.

This unit aims to emphasise critical thinking and an awareness of contemporary 3D practice in Australia and internationally. It also focuses on developing confidence with visual arts making, presenting and discussing art processes and ideas in order for students to make critical insights about their own work and that of others.

Learning outcomes

To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.

Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.

Explore the graduate capabilities.

On successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

LO1 - Explain the relationship between the historical, theoretical contexts and the ethical use and reproduction of indigenous motifs in contemporary 3D practice (GA3, GA4, GA5, GA8, GA9)

LO2 - Apply studio-led practices to the development of concepts and artwork (GA4, GA5, GA9)

LO3 - Create project-based artworks using a variety of skills, methods, techniques and materials (GA3, GA4, GA5)

LO4 - Prepare a research and documentation portfolio (GA4, GA8, GA9)

Graduate attributes

GA3 - Apply ethical perspectives in informed decision making

GA4 - Think critically and reflectively

GA5 - Demonstrate values, knowledge, skills and attitudes appropriate to the discipline and/or profession

GA8 - Locate, organise, analyse, synthesise and evaluate information

GA9 - Demonstrate effective communication in oral and written English language and visual media

Content

This studio-based unit supports the development of the students' individual art making intentions in 3D ceramic and/or multimedia art practice. An examination of various media, techniques and skills in areas such as object making will assist in broadening students’ awareness of contemporary art practice and the ethical use and reproduction of images, in particular Indigenous motifs. The emphasis of the unit is on a critical  and exploratory investigation of art forms in the selected areas of practice through rigorous project-based studio exercises. There will be a focus on Workplace Health and Safety for the professional artist.

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

The learning and teaching strategy for this unit focuses on fostering studio culture and embedding core competencies such as critical thinking and studio-led research methodologies. This strategy is implemented by presenting lectures that contextualise the assessments in relation to contemporary art and craft practice and their historical lineage. This approach demonstrates how visual art practice is informed by research. Studio culture is emphasised by creating the artwork in the studio and weekly individual and group discussion about the artwork in progress. This unit introduces students to a variety of art mediums, approaches and processes and their artistic outcomes are applied to a variety of creative platforms such as Etsy, Instagram and Pinterest. These professional practice activities promote critical thinking about how cultural production contributes to society and the ethical perspectives associated with exhibiting artwork publicly.

Assessment strategy and rationale

The rationale for this unit is based in developing both a core conceptual and a technical understanding of creating three-dimensional forms. The assessment tasks are designed as creative responses to briefs. These briefs will emphasise both the technical and conceptual aspects of working in ceramics and multimedia. The research portfolio documents process, reflective thinking and the relationship between the creative outcome and research evidence of relevant contemporary practices.

Overview of assessments

Representative texts and references

Buszek, M. (ed.) (2011). Extra/ordinary: craft and contemporary art. Duke University Press.

Chapman, P., McElvoy, D. (2016). Mixed media in clay: Techniques for paper, clay, plaster, resin and more. F&W Publications Inc.

Cobb, S. (2018). Mastering hand building: Techniques, tips, and tricks for slabs, coils and more. Voyageur Press.

Creswell Bell, A. (2017). Clay: Contemporary Ceramic Artisans. Thames & Hudson.

Elderton, L. Morrill, R. (2017). Vitamin C: clay + ceramic in contemporary art. Phaidon Press Limited.

Halls, S. (2014). Pinch Pottery: Functional modern handbuilding. Clarks Crafts.

Isaacs, J. (2000). The Hermannsburg potters: Aranda artists of Central Australia. Craftsman House.

Joss, J. (2019). Complete pottery techniques: Design, form, throw, decorate and more, with workshops from professional makers. Dorling Kindersley Ltd.

Loder, C. (2018). Sculpting and handbuilding. Bloomsburg Publishing PLC.

Morris, T., Brudnizki, M., Griffin, S., De Waal, E., Jongerius, H., & Perry, G. (2018). New wave clay: Ceramic design, art and architecture. Frame Publishers.