Course Description
An introduction to the theoretical and technical use of color to create jewelry and small objects using nontraditional materials such as casting plastics and powder coating, as well as traditional color applications such as chemical patinas. Emphasis will be placed on the understanding of color as it applies to surface and form in historical and contemporary practice.
Athena Title
Jewelry & Obj Surf Color Solid
Prerequisite
ARST 2600
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Students will be introduced the use color in jewelry, metalwork, and objects construction through various application techniques using materials, such as casting plastics, chemical patinas, and powder coating. Emphasis will be placed on the understanding of color as it applies to surface and form and its relationship to historical and contemporary trends and practice. Moving beyond metal, the materials used in this course will be diverse and potentially infinite. Students will be challenged to integrate new materials and practices with previously learned metalwork practices and materials. Students will learn to think critically about material and color and their relationship to the body. Each project will focus on concept development, while enhancing technical and problem-solving skills using traditional and non- traditional techniques and materials. Expected learning outcomes include the ability to distinguish safe and appropriate procedures and practices utilized in the metalsmithing and jewelry studios, identify specialty tools and processes, analyze/evaluate 3-D designs, and technical problems using plastics, powder coating, and pagination and devise a course of action, retain intermediate level techniques to create well crafted jewelry and objects from various non-traditional materials. The course will emphasize the connection to traditional and contemporary craft and art practices/movements and will frame these within the arena of current and historical material culture. Techniques are taught through skill-based exercises with emphasis on conceptual development, technical proficiency, and critical analysis. Projects actively engage 2-D and 3-D design skills, processes, and appreciation for metalwork, jewelry and related material topics, and the ability to use the materials and the body as a means of self-expression with the potential to explore rhetorical, ethical and systematic methods of inquiry. Slide lectures, classroom discussions, readings, and quizzes will expose the students to the historical, technical, and contemporary aspects relating to metalwork, the art of jewelry making, and related material concepts. Students are expected to individually and as a group problem-solve assignment topics and present their work within the context of historical and contemporary media specific practices. Each student will be expected to adapt and analyze the topic of each assignment and present the research and completed work orally as well as through various modes and media which may include writing, digital/web based platforms, video, photography, and traditional modes of design rendering. Students will be expected to engage other students' work with dialogue that is stylistically appropriate and mature. During critiques, students will learn to communicate for academic and professional contexts, supporting a consistent purpose and point of view while considering and engaging opposing points of view. Students will be required to analytically translate inferences within each work being discussed, developing subtleties of symbolic, and indirect discourse. Students are provided with all tools/equipment necessary for this course and are encouraged to blend the experiential course content with digital applications.
Topical Outline
Experimenting with traditional and non-traditional methods and materials, this course will address contemporary/historical material culture, emphasizing concepts, and ideas within the arena of jewelry and objects with relationship to art/craft based practices. Emphasis will be placed on the understanding of color as it applies to surface and form and its relationship to historical and contemporary trends and practice. Moving beyond metal, the materials used in this course will be diverse and potentially infinite. Techniques will expand on learning outcomes of Jewelry and Metals: Design and Construction and will include various application techniques using materials such as, casting plastics, chemical patinas, and powder coating. Exercises which introduce new jewelry and metalwork hand tools, equipment, and safety while also employing the use of 2-D and 3-D design layout, material manipulation, translation, and meaning will also be addressed. Lectures and in-class discussions will engage critical discourse revolving around topics such as material culture, the body, and objecthood. This course will introduce a wide range of practitioners and modes of visual dialogue spanning from the fine arts, crafts, design, and new media. Class time will be divided between lectures, discussions, lab work, and critiques.