ART/INTD 1082: INVOKING THE THIRD MIND: CONVERSATIONS & COLLABORATIONS BETWEEN ARTISTS
January 2009
Middlebury College
MWR 1-4 pm
Adirondack House, CLT
Louisa Conrad (lkconrad@middlebury.edu)
Lucas Farrell (lafarrell@middlebury.edu)
Collaboration is a calling to work with and for others, in the service of something that transcends individual artistic ego and, as such, has to do with love, survival, generosity, and a conversation in which the terms of language are multidimensional.
Anne Waldman
…most artists are converted to art by art itself. Finding one’s voice isn’t just an emptying and purifying oneself of the words of others but an adopting and embracing of filiations, communities, and discourses.
Jonathan Lethem
COURSE OVERVIEW
William Burroughs has argued that through the process of collaboration an anonymous, disembodied, and superior “third mind” is created. In this course we will creatively investigate the notion that art can emerge from dialogue, transcend the limits of an individual’s imagination, and have a social component. Students will research and discuss a history of deliberate influence (as well as more contemporary examples of collaborations between artists), pursue their own collaborative projects, and design and install a course-end exhibition of their collective creations.
On a more practical level, this workshop will require intense class participation, a god-like respect for others, and a limitless trust in your own creative powers—in other words, a higher-than-usual level of attentiveness, engagement, and faith. By the end of the course, you will have shed your skin; you will be simply a shining light, illuminating the dark that surrounds.
REQUIRED MATERIALS
1) A notebook or journal for in-class creation exercises, out-of-class meanderings, critique notes, etc. Be sure to save all of your drawings, notes, collages, and writings from the class in one place. Discard nothing.
2) A simple folder in which to stow said treasures, as well as assignment sheets & class handouts. On the last day of class, you will be asked to hand in a FINAL PORTFOLIO that will include, in addition to your final project description, ALL assignments (written or otherwise).
3) On certain occasions, you may be asked to bring in supplies for use in class exercises. By “supplies”, we mean little things, like thumb tacks, tape.
ART has to be CHEAP and available to EVERYBODY. It needs to be EVERYWHERE because it is the INSIDE of the WORLD.
The WHY CHEAP ART? Manifesto, Bread & Puppet Theater
OFFICE HOURS
Louisa Conrad (lkconrad@middlebury.edu)
WTH 106
MW 9:30-11 am & by appointment
Lucas Farrell (lafarrell@middlebury.edu)
WTH 201
MW 9:30-11 am & by appointment
E-RESERVE
Unless distributed in class, all assigned readings will be placed on electronic reserve. Please print in the library (double-sided) and bring to class.
Web link: http://eres.middlebury.edu/eres/coursepage.aspx?cid=1739
Password: 7445cf
CLASS BLOG (www.the3rdmind.wordpress.com)
All handouts will be available (as .pdf’s or Word .doc’s) on the unofficial class blog. Shortly, you will be invited to join as an “author”, after which you’ll be able to post comments freely (more on this later). The course description, course syllabus, and “archive of collaborations” (see below) will be made available on the blog as well.
ARCHIVE OF COLLABORATIONS
We will soon be posting an “archive of collaborations” on the course blog for your perusal. You should consider this archive nascent, evolving, under construction, always. At times, you will be asked to add additional projects to the archive, thus broadening our collective knowledge and scope.
REQUIREMENTS
1) Attendance
2) Active participation in all aspects of the course, including (but not limited to) in-class exercises, discussion of assigned readings, critiques, out-of-class assignments and final projects, and the design and installation of the course-end exhibit
3) Completion of all assignments (no late work accepted!)
4) The conception/execution/development of what will be your final collaborative project, which will be featured in the final course-end show and accompanied by a searching, insightful, and eloquent “project statement” (more on this later)
GRADING
Your grade will reflect your attendance, the quality of your engagement in class exercises, discussions, and critiques, timely completion of all assignments, and a demonstrated commitment to your final project.
Attendance is essential. For every class you miss, your grade will be lowered by one letter grade. If you miss more than 3 classes, you will receive a failing grade. No exceptions.
You are responsible for all work regardless of whether or not you are in class.
You are expected to obey the Honor Code, honorably.
________________________________________________________________________
Collaboration, therefore, creates conversation, carrying an artist from one realm across the border to another artist’s realm, and initiating an open-ended dialogue.
Robert Miltner
SCHEDULE OF CLASSES (Subject to Change; in addition, each week you will receive an assignment sheet explaining that week’s readings and assignments. Put these in your binder or notebook and bring to class.)
WEEK 1
January 5 Introductions / Course goals / Direct Influence, Ekphrasis
January 7 Students present “galaxy” of collaborative practice & theory
January 8 The Spectrum of Infinite Collaboration: A Slideshow
WEEK 2
January 12 Shared Vocabularies / Mapping (Bewilderment)
January 14 Visiting Artist (TBA) / Performance Art
January 15 Methods and Articulation Strategies
WEEK 3
January 19 Visiting Artist (TBA) / Improvisation
January 21 Critique #1
January 22 Critique #2
WEEK 4
January 26 Critique #3
January 28* Design/Install/Rehearse Exhibit
January 29* Draw the curtains / Perform! / Evaluations
7pm (?) : Grand Opening!
*These classes will be held at 51 Main Bar & Lounge, Downtown Middlebury
________________________________________________________________________
FIN
