AESTHETICS, VALUES, AND AUTHORITY: ART AS SOCIAL LANGUAGE

The Honors College at FIU
John Bailly, Fellow
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AESTHETICS AND VALUES 2009 RESEARCH AND EXHIBITION PROJECT


Honors class with Martin Z. Margulies at the Margulies Collection at Warehouse. Photo courtesy of Tomas Loewy, www.coolpoolevents.com

Values and Authority: Art as Social Language 2008-2009 course syllabus

March 15th to April 10th, 2009 in the Gallery at Green Library at Florida International University

Installation: Friday, March 13th, 2009

Reception: Friday, April 3rd, 2009, 5-8 pm

Deinstallation: Friday, April 11th, 2009

Course Description
This course will investigate the manifestations of social and cultural issues in the arts. Specifically, how have artists challenged, or enforced, authority by creating new aesthetics? How is art used to initiate, accelerate, or prevent social change? Further, how does art document these transformations, and by documenting them, do the arts, in turn, contribute to the definition of social issues?  

Project Description
The class will complete research projects as part of a group exhibition. We will select local artists and analyze their work from a sociological perspective. You will visit the artists in their studios, interview them, and write about how their work relates to broader social issues. How has each artist addressed the values on an authoritative entity or tradition through aesthetics? We will then organize a group exhibition of these local artists, in which we will present their work and your research about them.

Methodology and Requirements
There will be 10 groups of three students, with each group selecting one local artist for the research project and exhibition. The groups will be responsible for the following:

Tasks for Individual Student-Curator Groups – maintain dialogue between yourselves and the artist you will be working with.

  • Request participation in A&V 2009 from artist
  • Interview artist
  • Request an artist's statement, resume , and a photographic portrait of the artist.
  • Generate photographic documentation of the artist, the artist’s studio, and (if allowed) the artist’s working methodology
  • Write a 250-300 word bio of the artist. Open this link to view sample bios
  • Select artwork for exhibition and determine special installation requirements etc.
  • Request digital images (300 dpi) of artwork for reproduction on invitation, catalogue, website and other venues
  • Collect title, medium, dimensions, date created, value of all works in exhibitions or reproduced
  • Write specifics and informative text for exhibition labels. Open this link to view sample labels
  • Each S-C of the group must write an individual 7 page paper about the artist, or do a combined paper in which each student writes 5 pages of the final paper.
  • Communicate with you individual artist: Let artist know delivery dates, pick up dates, transportation arrangements, insurance info, reception info, etc.
  • Most importantly, communicate regularly with your artist. Keep him/her informed of all news and development in relation to the A&V Project.

Student-Curator Groups - Artist

  1. Linda Martin, Priscilla Mojica, & Melissa Pita - Ruben Torres-Llorca
  2. Jaqueline Lorenzo, Mariana Restrepo, & Alejandro Stein - Ray Azcuy
  3. Robert Cascella, Gabriela Garcia, & Frances Sanchez - Jacek Kolasinski
  4. Michael Lopez, Jairo Pava, & Sergio Rioseco - Mark Koven
  5. Noel Deckert, Linda Lee, & Gaudry Puechavy - Sara Stites
  6. Dahiana Gil, Thomas Johnson, & Ashley Rousseau - Julie Davidow
  7. Ernesto Fernandez, Adriano Froes, & Nalsia Saati - Edouard Duval Carrié
  8. Linda De La Paz, Monica Font, & Ana-Sofia Navarrete - Ralph Provisero
  9. Samantha Banal, Moises Enghelberg, & Miryam Rodriguez - Cooper
  10. Stella Concepcion, Gisell Fiat, Rozina Parbtani - Brian Burkhardt

Exhibition Committees

We will also create in-class committees to address different facets of the exhibition planning. If possible, we should avoid two members of a group being on the same committee.

Fundraising Committee – solicit funds or underwriting to finance exhibition

Members – Gisel Fiat, Gabi Garcia, Linda Lee, Michael Lopez, Jacqueline Lorenzo, Linda Martin, Ana-Sofia Navarrete, Rozina Parbtani, Melissa Pita, & Sergio Rioseco

  • Determine budget for exhibition - Lead S-C:
    • bare necessities budget
    • additional options budget
  • Explore funding and opportunities for commercial advertising - Lead S-C: Gisel Fiat
  • Reception - Lead S-C: Linda Martin
    • Reserve space for reception
    • Set up
    • Clean up
  • Exhibition Dean ’s Statement and Student-Curators' statement- Lead S-C:
    • Invite Dean to write introductory statement
    • Print statement in large format for exhibition
    • Draft and finalize an exhibition statement for class
  • Catalogue - 3 Lead S-Cs: Gabi Garcia, Linda Lee, Ana-Sofia Navarrete, & Rozina Parbtani
    • Does budget allow for images, or will it be a catalogue raissoné
    • Editing & designing of the catalogue
    • Number of catalogues to be printed
    • Artifact reproductions, invitation, posters, etc.
    • Reproduction permissions: provision for resolving copyright issues
    • Decide when a complete and final catalogue listing will be provided
  • Generate an complete Exhibition List of Works from all artists - Lead S-C: ?
    Download the Microsoft Excel form for Exhibition List of Works
  • Send Loan Agreements to Artists - Lead S-C: Jacqueline Lorenzo
    • Finalize exhibition checklist with S-Cs from Exhibition Committee
    • Completion and Printing of loan forms, receipts, condition report forms
    • Signing of individual lender's agreements.
  • Exhibition Insurance - Lead S-C: ?
    • Arrange for insurance under indemnity
    • Approximate total value and specific period of coverage
    • Provision for sending insurance certificates
    • Indication of how insurance premium will be paid

     

Public Relations Committee – coordinate production and distribution of invitations & create and distribute press releases

Members – Noel Deckert, Ernesto Fernandez, Gabi Garcia, Dahiana Gil, Thomas Johnson, Ana-Sofia Navarrette, Jairo Pava, Gaudry Puechavy, Ashley Rousseau, Nalissa Saati, Frances Sanchez, & Alejandro Stein

  • Submit Budget to Fundraising Committee - Lead S-C: Gabi Garcia
  • External Relations - Lead S-C: Rotating, different student for each visit
    • send thank you letters on behalf of class to individuals and institutions
  • A&V Blogger - 1 Lead S-C: Ana-Sofia Navarrette (all students should contribute)
    • post blog entries about projects, trips, and general class information
  • A&V Historian - 1 Lead S-C: Mariana Restrepo (all students should contribute)
    • generate photographic, video, and/or text documentation of class events
  • Create exhibition invitation - Lead S-C: Frances Sanchez & Alejandro Stein
    • Select image
    • Include all relevant information – names of artists & dates of exhibition
    • design invitation
  • Create press releases - Lead S-C: Ana-Sofia Navarrete & Ashley Rousseau
    • short informative letter
    • CD with images by each artist
    • Including/submitting info to appropriate calendars
    • Credit lines for sponsors, organizer
    • Allowance for view of press releases in advance by organizer and borrower (FIU, THC, Green Library, & participating artists)
  • Send invitations & press releases - Lead S-C: Dahiana Gil
  • Generate mailing list - Lead S-C: Thomas Johnson
    • send invitations three weeks prior to opening
    • Provide invitation to participating artists
  • Website - 2 Lead S-Cs: Ernesto F ernandez & Jairo Pava
  • Advertising - 2 Lead S-C: Gaudry Puechavy & Nalissa Saati
    • Submit exhibition description and information to all local media outlets and calendars
    • Electronic submission of of information
    • Take advantage of all free listings.
  • SRAI Conference - 2 Lead S-C: Gabi Garcia, Dahiana Gil, & Jairo Pava
    • Submit proposal to SRAI
    • Coordinate student speakers for Panel Presenatation
    • Prepare Powerpoint presenatation
    • This presentation should focus on the entire process of the class & exhibition since day 1
  • Green Library Exhibition Presentation - 2 Lead S-C: Noel Deckert & Frances Sanchez
    • Coordinate student speakers for Panel Presenatation
    • Prepare Powerpoint presenatation
    • This presentation should focus on the ideas and reasons for the exhibition.

Exhibition Committee – Oversee the physical installation of artwork and the related administrative tasks (all students are required to participate in the installation and de-installation of the exhibition)

Members – Samantha Banal, Bobby Cascella, Stella Concepcion, Linda De La Paz, Moises Enghelberg, Monica Font, Adriano Froes, Priscila Mojica, Mariana Restrepo, & Miryam Rodriguez

  • Submit Budget to Fundraising Committee - Lead S-C: ?
  • Lay-out location of artworks in exhibition space - Lead S-C: Monica Font, Linda De La Paz, Priscilla Mojica, & Myriam Rodriguez
    Open this link to view a floorplan of the Gallery at Green Library
    • Finalize exhibition checklist with S-C from Fundraising Committee
    • Make artwork “fit” into the given space
    • Consider the amount and limitations of exhibition space
    • Consider physical, as well as aesthetic qualities
    • ADA compliance
    • safety/ security of the objects
    • requirements of artwork including light levels, electricity, etc
    • exhibition venue may limit organic materials or hazardous installations
    • fire codes
    • No conservation to be undertaken without approval of lenders
    • Special requirements for lighting, temperature, humidity, electricity, or other special display equipment
    • Any special handling requirements or installation needs
  • Green Library Proposal Presentation - 2 Lead S-C: Moises Enghelberg & Miryam Rodriguez
    • Coordinate student speakers for Panel Presenatation
    • Prepare Powerpoint presenatation
    • This presentation should focus on the ideas and reasons for the exhibition.
    • This presentation will introduce the Dean of the Libraries to all the artists in the exhibition
  • Collect, format, and print written materials for exhibition - 2 Lead S-C: Adriano Froes & ?
    Open this link to view sample labels
    • information about the artists
    • wall texts
    • wall labels
    • show title
  • Audience Response - Lead S-C: Samantha Banal
    • Prepare a Comment Book
    • Transcribe the comments from Comments Book into a Microsoft Word document
    • Devise an audience survey
    • Present the results of the audience survey
  • Installation - 2 Lead S-C: Stella Concepcion & ?
    • Budget for installation
    • Collect supplies for installation
    • Coordinate installation
    • Artwork Delivery
    • Reminder call for artwork delivery
    • Coordinate student/installers
  • Condition Reports - Lead S-C: Bobby Cascella, Mariana Restrepo, & Miryam Rodriguez
    • Check condition of objects at arrival and return
    • Incoming Condition Reports
    • Outgoing condition reports
  • De-Installation - 2 Lead S-Cs: Moises Enghelberg
    • Coordinate de-installation
    • Reminder call for artwork pick up
    • Return the Gallery at Green Library to the condition in which we found it
    • Rearrange the cases in the placement the Library wishes them to be
    • Remove hangers and screws
    • Patch holes in the walls
    • Touch up the walls with matching paint

     

Instructor – Facilitator between students and artists, exhibition venue, and university.

  • Develop conceptual framework for exhibition
  • Create tentative artist list
  • Secure location & dates for exhibition
  • Finalize list of artists
  • Organize staffing/ responsibilities
  • Create calendar
  • Set timetable for completion of various stages of the projects
  • Decision on the dates for the loan - Include sufficient time to cover the shipment, receipt, unpacking, installation, exhibition period, dismantling, repacking and return shipment
  • Act as liason between S-Cs and artists: Let artists know delivery dates, pick up dates, transportation arrangements, insurance info, reception info, etc.

 


Archive of Aesthetics and Values Reasearch and Exhibition Project :

Aesthetics and Values Home
Aesthetics and Values List of Artists
Aesthetics and Values 2009 Task List
Values and Authority: Art as Social Language 2008-2009 course syllabus

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