Sculpture, Performance and Installation (SPI) (Studio and research paper)
HONOURS SUBJECT AREA
Sculpture, Performance and Installation (SPI) addresses the language of three-dimensional space not only through the exploration of materials, objects and processes, but also through the relationship between the body and its spatial surrounds.
Sculpture, Performance and Installation (SPI) encourages a range of approaches in the making of art. This includes site-specific, institutional critique, and ephemeral work. Technical processes central to the history of sculpture such as casting, carving, welding, and assemblage are also supported. The heritage of conceptual art is a fundamental consideration of the studio. You are encouraged to include video in your spatial explorations, either as a medium in its own right, or as a tool for documenting sculpture, installation and performance work.
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 the Honours by Studio course, studio practice is regarded as central to your investigations. Allocated shared studio space will be made available to you to work in. The Research Paper and the Seminar (see below) must clearly evolve out of and produce material and information, which contribute towards your studio practice. Supervisors and examiners will insist upon the relevance and linking of studio practice to your seminar and written work.
This Studio Seminar/Research Paper A unit of study is compulsory for students enrolled in Honours by Studio and Research Paper. Students must satisfy requirements for attendance and participation. The seminar program offers each student an opportunity show work in progress and to discuss their research with staff and students in their group. Individual seminar presentations of approximately 30 minutes (including discussion) will be scheduled between Weeks 5 and 13. Your supervisor will normally be present for your seminar presentation.
The 5,000 to 7,000-word Research Paper may be undertaken as studio documentation, a formal research essay or in another form, which is described in your Study Proposal and approved by your Supervisor.
Honours students also undertake the Honours Theories of Art Practice unit of study.