Course Resources Archive

This module will equip students with an in-depth understanding of the breath and diversity of contemporary art practice. By offering the opportunity to explore a range of materials, methods/processes and modes of production spanning 2, 3 and 4D, it provides a solid grounding from which to develop. Through a combination of group and individual work, bespoke seminars and lectures, hands-on workshops and technical/practical introduction, students are encouraged to consider the interdependence of skills, materials and ideas, in the realisation of coherent visual work.

Structured workshops and demonstrations form the skill-based learning from which the integration of practice and theory is established and developed. As mentioned above, these encompass 2, 3 and 4D art production including drawing, collage, relief, painting, sculpture, printmaking, digital technologies/image manipulation, analogue and digital photography, video, text and sound.

An exploratory and experimental working ‘tone’ is essential, as students are challenged to understand both the distinctions, and inherent relationships between different mediums and modes of production. This promotes recognition of inter-disciplinary and cross-disciplinary ways of working. It also affirms an understanding and appreciation that different methods and mediums have individual visual and conceptual qualities and possibilities.

Subsequently underlining that these can be understood, appropriated and utilised, to constantly develop the strength of visual outcomes. The over riding aim of this module is to facilitate a crucial development in the student’s progression at level 4: that is, an ability to identify and determine visual languages and working processes, which best communicate personal ideas.

The wide knowledge and understanding gained from this module, builds a confidence essential to enabling students to realise their full potential at each stage. This is key to subsequent personal and collective progression. Ongoing discussion between students embeds a reflective and critically aware approach throughout the module and beyond.

A student passing this module should be able to:

1) Recognise key concepts, methods and process for the development of visual ideas through a range of mediums including 2, 3 and 4D modes of production

2) Identify and determine visual languages and working processes which best communicate personal ideas

3) Discuss key ideas and concepts of visual work through both formal and informal discussion

4) Recognise relevant research, demonstrating contextual understanding through regular use of sketchbooks and notebooks

5) Plan, conceive and realise work within set timescales

The Library Catalogue contains full details of the current reading list for this module. Further details may also be found in the Module Guide.