Art 255 + Math 180: Making Meaning: ART and MATHEMATICS as EMBODIED PRACTICES
Instructors:
Jayadev Athreya jathreya@uw.edu
Important Registration Note: This course has the identical coursework, requirements, and grading criteria, regardless of which section (ART255 or MATH180) students sign up for.
Course Description
What does it mean to create meaning in the intersection of two disciplines? Explore, through projects of making, a timeless and dialogue between art and mathematics. We will focus our inquiry on diverse global cultural traditions of embodied making, thinking, and imagining, such as Micronesian stick charts, Central African (Angolan) Sona drawings, Andean quipus, Coast Salish wool and basket weaving, South Asian kolam, French Baroque wallpaper designs and contemporary dance.
Our course focuses on the concept of ITERATION, creating complex PATTERNS by repetition of simple units or simple rule sets. Students will experiment with these concepts as well as with other, related, mathematical ideas, such as Euclidean and non-Euclidean space and geometry, symmetries and transformations, tilings (tessellations), various algorithmic processes. Throughout the quarter, we will work in a variety of media including 2D (lens-less photography & digital image manipulation), 3D (sculptural forms with paper and red cedar bark), and 4D (movement and time-based practices).
This is a studio course, consisting of a series of studio assignments, which are experimental, but were designed to build skills and explore mathematical ideas through making. Ideas taken from these projects may also be further developed into an expanded range of interdisciplinary projects, from textile pieces, to sculptures, performances, programming, digital or time-based media.
Student Conduct
Students are requested to play an ACTIVE, PATIENT, and GENEROUS role in their own learning and that of their classmates. We can achieve this by experimenting with unfamiliar ideas and processes, sharing out what you gained from your experimentation, and having an open attitude towards the yet-to-be-discovered.
During class times, we are going to focus on introducing new content, team work and discussion, feedback and project critiques, and guest artist workshops/ field trips. Outside of class, you may continue working with your peer group/team, getting additional feedback from your TA and instructors, and doing supplemental research and experimentation on your own.
Homeworks will help to deepen your understanding of mathematical concepts and creative problem solving/artistic practice. Expect some amount of preparation to be needed for almost every class session, and please check the Course Schedule at least a day ahead to see what needs to be done for class. Being prepared for class, including bringing your tools, materials, and work in progress, as well as submitting homework assignments to Canvas does contribute to your final grade in the class.
Flexibility and independence comes with a great responsibility. Your charge is to get as much out of our class times together as possible and to continue exploring on your own.
No previous art or making experience are needed for this class. Each assignment will have step-by-step technical demonstrations. We can always address individual technical questions, but do not expect a repeat of the demos, especially if you have missed class.
Assignments
There are 3 major making assignments + a few Mathematical Explorations. Assignments are presented within learning modules complete with both making and math resources. Take full advantage of the resource pages and use them frequently. They contain all the information you will need for the project and they are also a good starting place for further research.
Assignment #1 uses using geometry, space, some objects, the moving body, Our guest artist is dancer and choreographer Roel Seeber. Our guest expert is Holly Barker, Department of Anthropology, UW. Weeks 1-3
Assignment #2 uses symmetry and lens-less photography and Photoshop for exploring transformations and patterns. Our guest artist is mathematician Frank Farris and Vijaya Nagarajan, Depertment of Theology/Religious Studies and Program of Environmental Studies at the University of San Francisco . Weeks 4-6
Assignment #3 takes us on a journey to algorithmic processes and iterative patterning, using paper and natural red cedar and the Coast Salish traditional basket weaving technique. Our guest artists are Alison Martin (UK/IT) and Salish weaver, Jess Silvey. Weeks 7-11
Roll up your sleeve and bring your curiosity!
Course Objectives/Learning Goals
Develop a comfortable engagement with cross-disciplinary thinking/making practices.
Practice overlapping strategies (toolkits) of artistic and scientific thinking, idea generation, and problem solving.
Identify successful tools and methods of learning by making. Be able to relate to examples of process by various practitioners introduced in class.
Invent and construct alternative aesthetic, formal, and conceptual solutions appropriate for the assignment.
Develop strategies necessary to successfully work in teams.
Develop self-awareness and ability to reflect on the creative process.
Evaluation
Your final grade will be determined by the following:
75% (3 x 25%) on Module Assignments (See details in Assignment grading + meeting assignment check-points, and general preparedness for class)
10% on Mathematical Explorations
15% on Participation (active contributions made to in-class activities, such as team work, class discussions, peer and group critiques) + Professional manner (individual effort invested, commitment, progress)
Module Assignment grading is based on the following criteria:
Ideation, research and thought process. Depth of understanding with mathematical concepts presented in class;
Design and development of form. Ability to apply to the creative challenge math concepts and art practices presented in class;
Development (evidence of complexity, appropriateness to assignment criteria and personal goals, considerations for materials, scale and presentation);
Craft: fluency with at least 2 of demonstrated techniques from each assignment;
Experimentation: Going beyond basic solutions, exploring further material, technical, functional and interdisciplinary potentials. Exhibiting drive and passion for the project.
Note: Feedback and evaluation of the finished assignment is done during class presentation and critique. Scores on Canvas are a form of documenting the main points of the feedback and evaluating the project by the above listed set of criteria. It is important that you consult the rubric to see which areas need more attention, and thus, improvement, and which are those that have been most successful.
Work Time, Work Space, Tools and Materials
The art227-229 classroom is not open outside of class times, however, you may continue to use the IVA LINK space (art211), any other open studio space in the art building during regular business hours. If you are interested in working in the Art building outside of regular hours, you must have a confirmed building access (see Art Advising for details).
Budget the equivalent of in-class studio time + assignment homework studio time (together appr. 8-10+ hours/week) for completing the assignments. You may find that many of the processes are quite relaxing (flow state of mind), but they also may take longer than expected. Find ways to integrate some of the making process into your daily life!
Materials and tools for practicing the basic techniques and some additional supply will be provided in class. These are covered by the course fee. Please consult the instructor about which of these can and which cannot be taken out of the classroom.
For class, you will need a sketchbook/notebook, drawing tools (pen/pencil in a few colors would be helpful), ruler, scissors, 1/2" white masking tape and a camera. Access to Adobe Photoshop will be required for Assignment #2. You sign up for the FREE one-week trial of Adobe Creative Cloud, or (if you are planning to use the software for other projects) decide to start a monthly subscription for US$19.99/mo. See details: https://www.adobe-students.com/creativecloud/buy/students.html
Expect to spend a total of $20-40 during the quarter on projects. You can also visit the SOA+AH+D Free Materials Library in art318.
Field trips to the Burke Museum and to additional Seattle art and cultural venues will be offered on a few occasions throughout the quarter. This is a great way to observe works of art from close up. Be sure to bring your camera and sketch book.