Advanced Ceramics Projects: Self and Clay
Course Description
Summary
Sculpture and vessels are realized through an exchange between the medium and the self. The class will begin with the question:
What is Sculpture?
What is a Vessel?
Projects will push forward conceptual topics specific to sculpture and vessels including form and presence, the body, light and illusion upon form, the transformation of materials through techniques and the generation of ideas through drawing, writing and making. This is an advanced level course for students who have developed technical sufficiency and have a desire to explore further in ceramic processes. This class will provide a framework for explorations into making and thinking that will eventually become the foundation for a self-directed practice. The philosophy and vocabulary of 3D work and the techniques for self-generating projects will be the primary focus of this class.
Learning Outcomes
- Build upon established technical proficiency in the hand building processes to produce a finished ceramic object
- Comprehension of the materials, equipment and studio procedures for working with clay
- Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills to successfully navigate from preparatory sketches/activities through completed ceramic projects
- Understand and utilize of standard vocabulary to effectively verbally analyze completed ceramic project clearly
- Ask meaningful questions, identify ideas and issues, and be able to actively participate in a critical dialogue
- Recognize their shared responsibility in cultivating an engaging, respectful, and productive learning community
Prerequisites
Students wishing to enroll in this course must pass two 2000-level ceramic courses demonstrating the ability to work independently with clay material and should email the professor for registration (aninamajor@bennington.edu).