Lavie Raven

What are the differences and similarities between fine art, graffiti art, and street art? Many contemporary artists have discovered that viewers engage with their work differently at street level than on the walls of a gallery. Through daily experiments, presentations, workshops, field trips, and discussions, students focus on producing publicly engaged visual statements, aimed at new ways of thinking. Working in SAIC's studios and public spaces, students have the opportunity to create their own individual portfolio-quality works in addition to a collaborative mural or public project. Students investigate a variety of methods, including spray-painting, stencil and lettering, wheat pasting, and graphic drawing. Discussions about the work of contemporary artists inspire projects. While primarily a painting and drawing course, students may choose to work in a variety of media and forms, following their personal interests and research.

*NOTE* Some basic drawing experience is preferred, but not required. SAIC provides basic equipment for this course, but students are encouraged to bring their own digital camera, tablet, and/or laptop for homework and after-studio hours projects.*NOTE* Some basic drawing experience is preferred, but not required. SAIC provides basic equipment for this course, but students are encouraged to bring their own digital camera, tablet, and/or laptop for homework and after-studio hours projects.

What are the concerns that drive one's creative practice? How does one set the terms for its future development? Sophomore Seminar offers strategies for students to explore, reflect upon, and connect common themes and interests in the development of an emerging creative practice that will serve as the basis of their ongoing studies at SAIC and beyond. Students will examine historical and contemporary influences and contextualize their work in relation to the diverse art-worlds of the 21st Century. Readings, screenings, and field trips will vary each semester. Presentations by visiting artists and guest speakers will provide the opportunity for students to hear unique perspectives on sustaining a creative practice. One-on-one meetings with faculty will provide students with individualized mentorship throughout the semester. During interdisciplinary critiques, students will explore a variety of formats and tools to analyze work and provide peer feedback. The class mid-term project asks students to imagine a plan for their creative life and devise a self-directed course of study for their time at school. The course concludes with an assignment asking students to develop and document a project or body of work demonstrating how the interplay of ideas, technical skills, and formal concerns evolve through iteration, experimentation and revision.

Prerequisite: Must be a sophomore to enroll.

This course examines theoretical and practical issues implicit in the conceptualization of the public sphere. Teacher candidates explore social theory through historical and contemporary models of community activism, grassroots organizing, and other cultural work in relation to the contested space of the public sphere. Teacher candidates research and develop individual and collaborative creative work including interviews, observations, and proposals for an ethical community-based project.