This seminar encompasses both reading/discussion and production elements. The final aim of this course is to produce video works for projection on the new Hyde Park Art Center's projection facade. A selection of these works will be exhibited publicly at HPAC from January until April 2008. The reading and discussion elements of the course will explore the semiotics of media projection, recent developments in public art, the demographics of the HPAC setting, the role of artists and art institutions in the gentrification of marginal neighborhoods, etc. The seminar will be hosting a number of expert visitors: Prof. Douglas Garofalo (the architect for the HPAC's new building), Prof. Doug Ischar, Prof. Sabrina Raaf, and Prof. Jennifer Montgomery, who will be visiting class sessions as presenters, critics, and respondents. The final exhibition of student work on the Hyde Park Art Centers digital facade will be curated in collaboration with Allison Peters, HPAC's Director of Exhibitions. This course offers a rare and exciting opportunity for UIC graduate students to work with state of the art public projection technology and is furthermore an excellent means of increasing the visibility of our MFA programs.
Context
In April 2006 the Chicago's Hyde Park Art Center has re-opened to the public after a major restoration, transformed into a modern art center that includes gallery spaces, classrooms, artists' studios, and an art resource community center. The signature space in the architectural design is an 80 foot long, 10 foot wide glass facade and catwalk on the second floor above the main gallery space. Equipped with roll-down screens and 10 projectors, it becomes a digital projection facade visible from both the street and the gallery that can host digital media, live performances, or hybrid projects. Since the facade has been opened with Random Sky, an artwork by Inigo Manglano-Ovalle with Mark Hereld and Rick Gribenas using live weather information to determine the motion and pattern of the composition, there have been a number of exhibitions, including For Public Consumption, a group show that specifically addressed notions of passing-by and locality. Activities
The course is organized around a series of conceptual units, including readings, discussions, screenings, and guest lectures. Topics include site-specificity, community, public art, 'screenology', interactivity, and the semiotics of urban screens. In response to weekly readings, participants will write posts to the class blog. A visit to the HPAC will introduce students to previous works and the technical setup. The main project for this class is the creation of a video work for HPAC's facade. Students are encouraged to work collaboratively (good video production skills are required) to allow for the additional research necessary in the process of creating work for a 7680x1024 px (max.) resolution, 10x10000 Lumens setup. A two-page project review essay will help develop, describe and critically reflect the work.
Materials + Production
The course requires access to a non-linear video editing software, i.e. Apple FinalCut Pro or Adobe Premiere. If you do not have access to this software, and you do not have an advisor within the MI program, yuu can get access to the MI program's video lab + cameras through Paul Dickenson. Details about production aspects of the facade can be found in the production manual handed out in class.
Evaluation + Attendance
Work will be evaluated based on its originality, conceptual depth, the integration of artistic goals, and the inclusion of site-specific and formal aspects of the HPAC. Text presentations and written reading responses are evaluated based on how participants describe the main concepts in adequate detail, connect the text to other class readings and to a broader context, and present supporting materials (i.e. text, images, video clips, and films). Active contribution during class and attendance is required. All assignments must be completed in order to pass the course. Late assignments will reduce the grade proportionally. Two unexcused absences (without notification of the instructor before the class meeting) will reduce of the final grade by 1 letter grade; Additional unexcused absences will drop the final grade by an additional letter grade. It is generally recommended to drop the course with more than three absences. There will be a sign-up sheet for each meeting as the basis to evaluate attendance.
