ART 191 - Between the Mirror and the Window

This course seeks to question the history of photography and its identity as a medium. The class explores the ontological nature of the photographic medium, its relationship to the concept of the window of reality vs the concept of a mirror of the artist, to expand on the conceptual possibilities and materialities of the photographic. The central questions in this class will explore the identity of the medium within and beyond the frame. Students will explore through diverse photographic processes, scanning and printing mechanisms to investigate the use of photography in the context of contemporary art. Technical, aesthetic, and conceptual possibilities of photography are explored through assignments, readings, lectures, slide presentations, lab work and group critiques. Students are required to do studio work outside of class times.

Unit(s): 1
Group Distribution Requirement(s): Distribution Group I
Instructional Method: Studio
Grading Mode: Letter grading (A-F)
Notes: Enrollment limited to 16.
Group Distribution Learning Outcome(s):

Understand how arguments can be made, visions presented, or feelings or ideas conveyed through language or other modes of expression (symbols, movement, images, sounds, etc.).
Analyze and interpret texts, whether literary or philosophical, in English or a foreign language, or works of the visual or performing arts.
Evaluate arguments made in or about texts (whether literary or philosophical, in English or a foreign language, or works of the visual or performing arts).