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Unit outline_

CAEL2092: Sculpture: Introduction

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study provides you with an introduction to building processes within Sculpture and Installation. You will be introduced to working in the sculpture studio, and in particular, will gain practical experience in plaster and wax and discover key contemporary artists who reinterpret the casting process in innovative ways. You will be invited to consider a range of ideas -including negative forms and anti-monuments - that challenge the preconceptions of what sculpture can be. Initially, you work through a series of material-based workshop activities to learn basic construction techniques as well as to gain confidence in the safe use of machinery and equipment within the studio and workshop. The unit introduces a broad range of traditional and contemporary sculptural practices (including the use of wood, metal, fibre, plastic) and encourages you to develop original and creative solutions. The unit combines studio work, short presentations by the lecturer, student presentations and group discussion/critiques. In consultation with the lecturer, you will develop a studio work proposal and create a finished work that responds to the notion of 'negative sculpture.'

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Sydney College of the Arts
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
12 credit points at 1000 level in the Visual Arts major or 12 credit points at 1000 level in the Bachelor of Visual Arts
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Robyn Backen, robyn.backen@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Presentation Project 2
Project 2
50% Formal exam period
Due date: 04 Jun 2021 at 13:00
15min
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Presentation Project 1
Project 1
30% Week 05
Due date: 01 Apr 2021 at 13:00
10min
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Presentation Project 2 - Proposal
Project 2 - Proposal
20% Week 09
Due date: 07 May 2021 at 13:00
10 min
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

PROJECT 1: This project will focus on learning how to make a carved form/s from a found object/s. The form and the carving may be included in the final presentation and one of the experiments/exercises created during the first 4-5 weeks. The exercise may be integrate into a 'small' final carved work.  A group critique will be held in week 6, each student will  have 10mins to presentation.

This project will focus on learning how to carve soap and other folmform/s from a found object. The form and the cast may be included in the final presentation and or one of the experiments created during the first three weeks could integrate into a small final work.

PROJECT 2  PRESENTATION: Make a 10minute proposal presentation using PowerPoint or your Blog. Your presentation will be followed by a 5-minute group discussion and feedback. Submit a digital copy of the presentation for assessment.  The talk will be a 10 minute PowerPoint presentation and each student is to submit to Canvas notes with the pdf of the talk of the seminar presentation. 

PROJECT 2: This project offers the opportunity for further play and exploration of form/material/surface. How can you create/build/construct an object/form that is camouflaged? Can you bring together more than one form that is made up of more than one material? Can you defeat the form by shaping it into an unrecognisable or well camouflaged thing?

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

Assessment Criteria

This unit uses standards-based assessment for award of assessment marks. Your assessments will be evaluated solely on the basis of your individual performance

General advice on grade descriptors are available on the University of Sydney Current Students website: 

You need to satisfy requirements as determined by academic staff, including attendance, communicated to you through the Sydney College of the Arts Handbook, unit of study outlines, other written notifications and/or verbally through tutorials or seminars. All requirements must be met in order to be eligible for an assessment.

Your work will be assessed according to the following criteria, based on: attendance; participation and responsiveness to the unit of study and academic direction; written work; studio work and other unit of study work; tutorial and seminar team discussion. These criteria apply to studio-based learning and to theory units of study.

1. Competence

Demonstration of the development and application of practical and intellectual competency and skills appropriate to the unit of study.

2. Development

Demonstration of the ability to initiate and realise your own objectives for studio practice and theory work within the requirements of the unit of study and of your developing knowledge of the historical and theoretical context of your practice. You are expected to improve your abilities, competency and understanding over the course of a semester, and over successive semesters.

 3. Critical Awareness

Demonstration of developing a critical awareness and knowledge of the unit of study and the ability to objectively evaluate your own work, select appropriate methods and materials and to formulate and evaluate ideas/methods.

 4. Commitment

Demonstration of commitment and self-motivation in respect of the unit of study. The level of commitment to study in the academic program is reflected in:

the development of self-motivation applied to individual, group or assignment-based work;

the degree of participation in all units of study including group work, project submissions, essays and discussions;

the development of a consistent work pattern; and

the regularity and punctuality of attendance and submissions.

5. Innovation

Demonstration of innovative and imaginative thinking, appropriate to the unit of study, evidencing the quality of ideas underlying your work and development in your studies.

 

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Assessment Submission Work not submitted on or before the due date is subject to a penalty of 5% per calendar day late. If work is submitted more than 10 days after the due date, or is submitted after the return date, the mark will be 0. Details of the Faculty Resolutions and Provisions regarding late work: Undergraduate: http://sydney.edu.au/handbooks/arts/rules/faculty_resolutions_arts.shtml

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Formal exam period Complete Project 2; Group Crit Project 2 (50%); Assessment Studio (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 01 Welcome; Introduction to course outline; Exercise #1: Object Based Learning Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 02 Casting/Carving workshop induction; Exercise #2: Soap Carving Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 03 Casting/Carving workshop induction; Project 1: Tutorials Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 04 Project 1: Work in Progress Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 05 Exhibition Review Independent study (1 hr) LO2
Week 06 Group Critique & Student Presentations (30%) Presentation (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 07 Intro to Project 2; Group discussion Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Wood Workshop; Exercise #4 Found Materials Construction & Documentation of the Process Workshop (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 09 Project 2: Student Presentations (20%) Presentation (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 10 Excursion; Found Materials Construction Field trip (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 11 Wood, Plaster & Found Materials; Individual Tutorials Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 12 Wood, Plaster & Found Materials; Group Tutorials Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

According to Faculty Board Resolutions, students in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are expected to attend 90% of their classes. If you attend less than 50% of classes, regardless of the reasons, you may be referred to the Examiner’s Board. The Examiner’s Board will decide whether you should pass or fail the unit of study if your attendance falls below this threshold.

If a unit of study has a participation mark, your attendance may influence this mark.

For more information on attendance, see http://sydney.edu.au/policies/showdoc.aspx?recnum=PDOC2014/345&RendNum=0.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

Recommended Reading

SCA and Fisher Library references
Krauss, Rosalind E. Passages in modern sculpture. Cambridge, Mass. : MIT Press, 1981, c1977. (735.29 17)

Dezeuze, Anna and Kelly, Julia ed. Found sculpture and photography from surrealism to contemporary art Farnham, U.K.: Ashgate, 2013. (735.23 30) Moszynska, Anna. Sculpture now. London: Thames & Hudson, 2013 (735.24 9)

Barkley, Glenn. String theory: focus on contemporary Australian art. Sydney, N.S.W. : Museum of Contemporary Art Australia, 2013. (746.07494 4)

Dawson, Ian. Making contemporary sculpture. Ramsbury, Wiltshire: Crowood, 2012. (735.24 8)

Online References

Krauss, Rosalind E. "Sculpture in the Expanded Field" October, Vol. 8. (Spring, 1979), pp. 30-44.

http://www.onedaysculpture.org.nz/assets/images/reading/Krauss.pdf

Alstergren, Kate. "Cavities, Platforms, Footings: Selected Work 2007 – 2012"

http://www.roslynoxley9.com.au/news/releases/2016/04/07/284/

Walsh, Taylor. "Bruce Nauman" MOMA, 2016

https://www.moma.org/artists/4243

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. demonstrate independent thinking through conceptualising and developing individual studio projects
  • LO2. contextualise ideas with an understanding of contemporary sculpture, installation and the broader field of contemporary art
  • LO3. manipulate forms, materials and technologies with skill, understanding and an awareness of individual project concerns
  • LO4. objectively and critically evaluate concepts and the material resolution of their work
  • LO5. apply WH&S to all aspects of studio practice

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.