Non-Objective Painting

Course Description
Students are expected to produce a cohesive body of work (minimum of three pieces, no limit of size), which shows clear understanding of their artistic intent and knowledge of non-objective (abstract) painting. A range of traditional and non-traditional painting techniques and approaches are introduced to enable students to select and identify modes of expression to develop concepts that suit their individual inclinations. There will be class time devoted to group critiques and presentations of paintings. I will work individually with each student in and out of class time in order to facilitate his or her unique interest and goals. Oil paint is the preferred but not the exclusive medium. Readings and discussions relevant to the projects will be required.

Class Content
This course is primarily a practical studio course. The practice of painting/drawing is the central learning vehicle. In addition to making work, students will be exposed to historical and contemporary examples from the field through slide presentations, selected reading and viewing works in museums and galleries.
Various techniques and methods of painting/drawing will be introduced and utilized by students. A range of materials and types of application and manipulation will be explored and assimilated by students with the aim of realizing a way of working that is distinctly unique and autographic.
Emphasis will be placed on the development of informed perception and vision. The act of looking will be deconstructed in terms of its cultural, gendered, physiological and phenomenological elements.

Through the combination of the technical and formal elements in addition to the theoretical and conceptual components of visual relationships, students will address painting/drawing in terms of its meaning function. The basic elements of painting/drawing; the formal qualities and compositional arrangement, will be explored in terms of their combinable potential to project meaning. Painting/drawing is also investigated as a tool for notation and exploration of visual and conceptual elements that will be worked in other media.

Course Objectives/Student Performance Objectives

• Create visually compelling drawing/painting projects that demonstrate understanding of the non-objective (abstract) paintings
• Assess assigned problems and to successfully determine inventive strategies to accommodate and extend the scope of assignment concepts
• Develop planning systems for concept development and problem solving, including effective time management
• Use art terms effectively while communicating visual ideas.
• Competently handle the materials (media) and presentation of each project.

Projecthead:
Dr. Mika Cho

Participating Students:
Stefanie Balda, Bernadette Etzlstorfer, Andreas Freudenthaler, Eva-Maria Gerstl, Ines Hannesschlaeger, Soizig Le Vergos, Maria-Anna Niedermayr, Claudia Puck, Martina Rauschmayer, Tamara Reichardt, Petra Thon