The Shape of Things

During the module we will explore through a range of activities how `painting¿ and the act of `making paintings¿ combined with `where the painting performs¿ can offer ways to question, negotiate, and communicate moments of fiction or remembering ¿ a tool and method to tell stories today.

Whilst painting will be the focus this may also be relevant to other forms of representation ¿ 2d, 3d, time based, or material process¿s that draw on the histories of painting. A history we have inherited from our culture in the West.

To examine how painting can be used as an imaginative re-narrativizing tool, to give ideas, concepts, beliefs, movements, and histories into shape, form, and representation.

The aim is to develop and support both your own individual and group understanding of the relationship to the potential of how painting and its histories can be used as a relevant contemporary explorative language today.

The module structure will be presentations, group and individual seminars/tutorials, and your own studio-based activities.

In doing so we will examine `the making process¿ to further develop a personal position to understand how painting can be used to give a form to both personal and `culturally resonant¿ narratives drawn from diverse source material ¿ e.g. photographic reproductions, film stills, drawings, objects, personal stories, fictions and the artist¿s voice.

Exploring forms of narrative structure.

The module outcome will be a final presentation of the documentation of painting/s, and a 300-word supportive narrative.

Teacher: Professor Duncan Higgins

Focus Area: Painting ¿ fiction and storytelling

This is a project-based module exploring the crystallization of ideas, concepts, beliefs, movements, and histories into shape, form, and representation.

PRO modules are designed to enrich your artist development (as explored in the ART modules) through activating skills, connecting communities of practice, and investigating disciplinary territories. PRO modules allow you to focus on a specific project critically connected to your own practice within a context established by the module leader(s).

Knowledge

• Develop awareness of relevant practices, discourses, and references
• Identify key methodologies in the translation of abstract ideas into visual forms

Skills

• Explore approaches in relation to the creation of site-based works
• Enhance and broaden your own skills and processes through the creation of a self-initiated project

General Competence

• Identify your own learning needs in relation to the subject area(s)
• Develop and present new work.