Glass (Dissertation and minor studio project)
HONOURS SUBJECT AREA
Glass seeks to generate self-motivated and critically informed artists, craftspeople and designers who utilise glass as a medium to express their ideas.
Study in this area is structured to expose you to a diversity of approaches in utilising glass and it's unique qualities. The aims of the glass studio are: to ground you in the historical aspects of the material; to encourage the development of the necessary skills for working the material in a wide range of applications; to cultivate a contemporary dialogue of issues informing practice, to promote individual exploration within and between media and to assist and provide you with the necessary skills for working as a professional artist. Processes are explored including glass blowing and hot sculpting, glass fusing and slumping, coldworking, flameworking, architectural glass and installation, glass design and production for artists and lighting design.
The honours year
The Honours year at Sydney College of the Arts provides students with the opportunity to establish a research practice through the development of a visual art project, over two semesters’ full-time study. Students work with an allocated supervisor for the general supervision of both their studio and written work.
Students produce a body of artwork for exhibition and examination, and a research paper or dissertation based on their research proposal. There are two categories of candidature:
(1) Honours by Studio Project and Research Paper (5-7000 words)
(2) Honours by Dissertation (15,000 words) and Minor Studio project.
Workload and assessment
In Honours by Dissertation the emphasis is placed on your writing and research. Your proposition and argument are the focus of your study. The Studio Project should be informed by your investigations and play a supportive role only.
While it is not compulsory for candidates of Honours by Dissertation to attend the Studio Seminar/Research Paper A unit of study, it is recommended. The seminar program offers each student an opportunity show work in progress and to discuss their research with staff and students in their group. Participation can contribute to the development of both your Dissertation and the Minor Studio Project.
The 15,000-word Dissertation provides the opportunity to develop a deeper understanding of theoretical and critical issues that affect art making. Writing a Dissertation at this level involves a commitment to serious scholarship, focused research, disciplined editing, rigorous analysis and frequent supervision.
Honours students also undertake the Honours Theories of Art Practice unit of study.