Art Studio: Introduction to Video Art

Study of the conceptual and technical aspects of experimental and avant-garde film and video through exercises, viewing, reading and discussion, and creating films. Prerequisites: ARTS 1010, ARTS 1011, ARTS 1014, ARTS 1100, ARTS 1400, ARTS 1600, FTS 1420, or FTS 1430.

Prereqs enforced by the system: ARTS 1010, 1011, ARTS 1014, ARTS 1100, ARTS 1400, ARTS 1600, FTS 1420, or FTS 1430. SART, AHST, ARTE, FTS majors only during the first week of registration; CAS ARTS, ARTH and RDS, FTS minors only for the following 3 days; Non-CAS minors for the following 2 days; then all restrictions will be removed; Minimum sophomore standing. PACE students with permission and override. Fee: $45.00

Let’s think about moving images differently. Our most frequent encounters with moving images currently are on our mobile devices. But before the box in your pocket there was a rich history of experimental film (that was shot on actual celluloid film!) and video art (that was shot on real video tape!), and was most often experienced collectively in the cinema or gallery. This course aims to refamiliarize us with this history and consider how artists are working with experimental, moving images today. With this knowledge, you will develop 3 of your own digital moving image projects, aka “films.” Over the course of the semester you will learn introductory techniques for producing/realizing these projects. We will learn the fundamentals of camera and microphone usage, as well as foundational approaches to editing and the construction of linear time. That said, technical skills will not be our biggest focus. The real motivator here, as with any art medium, is for us to create projects that generate critical viewing and deep reflection. We will talk about where ideas come from and how they are shaped by the world around us. Much of our in-class time will be dedicated to collective viewing and discussion, and the workshopping of your projects.