Alison Ruttan

In this course we will focus on disciplinary and interdisciplinary art and design practices of contemporary art production. This team-taught, year-long class explores the materials and techniques of surface, space, and time (2D, 3D, and 4D), as well as the connections and interplay of these areas. Core Studio integrates the formal with the conceptual, traditional with the contemporary, and makes visible a variety of approaches in current cultural production in order to foster the development of students? emerging practices as makers and thinkers.

In this interdisciplinary studio course students will be authorized to use a variety of school shops, materials and equipment; including the woodshop, plaster studio, digital lab, sewing machine, hand tools, sound and video production, digital workflows and principles of visual fundamentals. This is a hands-on making class, faculty present artists and content related to a particular toolkit and, or project theme. Every section of Core Studio has shared learning outcomes which are uniquely realized by each Core faculty partnership.

Students should expect a fast-paced studio environment. In Core Studio students will complete short assignments as well as longer multi-week projects. Assignments are designed to help students develop their own ideas in relation to the materials, processes, and themes presented by faculty.

The book Monsters: A Fans Delemma' by Claire Dederer wrestles with the question ¿Can we separate artists own bad behavior from an appreciation of their art?¿ This book main question is a starting point to look at moral questions, to take aim at our monsters, to make parody of, or say your truth. In this course we will research and make art about the role of the monsters in life, politics, art, literature and film. Assignments may explore quasi-fictional narratives, the politics around difference and the psychology behind our enjoyment of horror. You may also wish to consider the monster as a tragic comic character worthy of your affection. I see this course as a meandering conversation around ethics and how you can frame your questions within an art practice. Artists Kara Walker, David Altmejd, Amy Cutler, Murikami, Cindy Sherman, Lee Bul, Alex Da Corte.