Many innovative approaches to form and content are evolving in contemporary arts practice that transcend traditional boundaries of art making. Many artists are integrating various field and research strategies borrowed from the natural sciences, geography, and other disciplines to create rich interdisciplinary works of art that are often collaborative and experimental in nature. The interdisciplinary nature of these art works encourages a diverse and varied audience.
This honors seminar course (HONORS 413 Section 02) scheduled for Fall 2010 at San Diego State University will be centered around focused readings, discussions, presentations, screenings, and field trips. Students will conceive and execute a final project proposal that may take the form of a hybrid documentary, temporary site-specific artwork or installation, digital multimedia feature, performance, text, or other work that addresses social, cultural, environmental, geographical, and/or political issues of a local or regional ecology, site, or subject. Special emphasis will be placed on projects that are collaborative, incorporate sustainable design strategies, promote environmental awareness through education, and/or directly encourage audience participation. Projects, possibly collaborative in nature, will be distilled, executed, and documented at the conclusion of the course. A background in art is not required to take this course. Students from all academic and disciplinary areas are encouraged to apply.
The course will culminate in an immersive three-day weekend field study workshop at the Salton Sea scheduled for the weekend of November 19 – 21, 2010. During this workshop students will be able to directly experience and respond to place over an embedded field research period. Visiting artist/architect,Chris Taylor, director of Land Arts of the American West at Texas Tech, will join us for this weekend field experience. Students will be prepared before embarking on the field trip through readings and presentations on diverse topics related to the site including but not limited to regional water politics, agricultural/real estate economies, local ecologies, military presence, tourism, outsider art, fringe subcultures among others. A culminating art exhibit and publication will be organized to document student interdisciplinary projects resulting from this course and workshop.
This course will meet Wednesdays from 4 to 6:40 pm in PSFA-113 during fall semester 2010..
