Course Description
An introduction to hands-on techniques of enameling, fusing glass to metal under high heat conditions. Techniques include sifting, cloisonné, basse taille, champleve, grisaille, sgraffito, and stenciling. Techniques will be applied to create jewelry and small objects. The course will emphasize the connection to traditional and contemporary craft and art practices and will frame these within the arena of current and historical material culture.
Athena Title
Fusing Glass Metal Jewl and Ob
Prerequisite
ARST 2600
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Students will develop an understanding of the hands-on techniques of enameling, fusing glass to metal under high heat conditions. They will develop proficiency in utilizing the techniques of sifting, cloisonné, basse taille, champleve, grisaille, sgraffito, and stenciling to create jewelry and small objects. 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 in metal/enamel and devise a course of action, retain intermediate- level techniques to create well crafted, metal/enamel objects from non-ferrous 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 2D and 3D 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
This course is designed to introduce students to hands-on techniques of enameling, fusing glass to metal under high heat conditions. The 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. Techniques include sifting, cloisonné, basse taille, champleve, grisaille, sgraffito, and stenciling. These will be used to create jewelry and small objects and will expand on the learning outcomes of Jewelry and Metals: Design and Construction. 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, color theory, 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.