MediaTechnology   Essentials in Art & Music

by   Edwin van der Heide & Taconis Stolk
course   2020—2021
location   LIACS room 413 and online streaming
time   13.30—17.15 (approx.)
Leiden University   MediaTechnology   MT Forum general class 1
structuralism
11 Sep 2020
class 2
minimalism
25 Sep 2020
class 3
conceptualism
02 Oct 2020
class 4
immersion
09 Oct 2020
class 5
representation
16 Oct 2020
class 6
Q&A
30 Oct 2020
  general information




course description
This course will focus on a number of important developments through the history of all art disciplines. This ranges from realized and unrealized artworks to concepts and artistic approaches. These developments will be studied in order to get a better understanding of creative thought in past and present, and to learn applying those to personal points of view.

The aim of the course is to extend your knowledge about art, to build a foundation to approach your work from an artistic perspective, and to develop your creative research capabilities regarding various cultural contexts.


course architecture
The course is structured on the basis of five methodologies for the creative process: structuralism, minimalism, conceptualism, immersion, and representation. Earch class will give examples of artistic work from one of the five methodologies.

The different terms used in this course (like structuralism or minimalism) are to be defined in their philosophical/linguistic context, not in their context of eventual art movements of the same name — which are usually too restrictive, due to their specific cultural connotations, in relation to the general overview which is presented in this course.


assignments
In the five lectures of the Essentials in Art and Music course we tell you five strategies regarding the creation of art. We have developed these 5 narratives from our own perspective and develop and illustrate them by showing works from different art disciplines. The five strategies that we present sometimes have an overlap. For example, I Am Sitting in a Room by Alvin Lucier has both structuralist and minimalist approaches. Furthermore, we have partially included certain movements that fit our narrative. For example, we have included the American minimalist composers in our narrative about minimalism.

After the first three classes, choose one of the works discussed during these classes. Think of an existing work that on one hand relates to the chosen work, but on the other hand has a conflicting artistic approach to it. Write a short essay comparing the two works. This text should explore and debate the differences as well as the similarities in an original way. One A4 of text is expected.

A sixth class will be organised as a Q&A about topics from the course and the assignment(s).

As a final assignment we want you to develop your own narrative for a sixth strategy regarding the creation of art. It has to be original and meaningful. You have to create your own context and meaning. Where required you can include existing art movements in your debate. We would like you to include a minimum of 4 existing artworks. You should create an interdisciplinary context with works from at least 3 different disciplines. We expect an approximate size of 4 pages.


grading
The grading will be based on the understanding of the topics discussed during the course, on the originality of the chosen approach, on the quality of the argumentation, and on compulsory class attendance (physically or online).


help & contact
For any additional information, or any help with the assignments, contact:
e.f.van.der.heide |at| liacs |dot| leidenuniv |dot| nl
t.a.w.stolk |at| umail |dot| leidenuniv |dot| nl