Pratt CEP Program: Critique

Spring 2018, Pratt Institute

Yayoi Kusama, All the Eternal Love I Have for the Pumpkins, 2016

Class Time: Mondays and Thursdays, 2:00 PM – 4:50 PM

Classrooms: Mondays – DeKalb 404; Wednesdays – North Hall 113;
Instructor: Carolyn Dunn
Email: Contacting me on our Facebook page is best; if you need to contact me
via email, please use cbd2123@columbia.edu
Office Hours: By appointment
Class Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1760684994240881/
Texts:
 Line Color Form: The Language of Art and Design, Jesse Day
https://www.amazon.com/Line-Color-Form-Language-
Design/dp/1621532445
 PDFs posted to the class Facebook Page
Course Description:
This course focuses on developing the language and cultural skills you will need
to participate meaningfully and successfully in critique situations in U.S. art
schools. A core part of art education in the U.S. is the “crit”, a studio practice
during which students present their work and are given positive and constructive
feedback from their peers and professors. By receiving and responding to this
feedback, students improve their art production and ability to present and
discuss their work with clarity and precision. In addition, students hone their
ability to analyze, interpret and respond to artwork by giving feedback to their
peers. In this class, the course materials will be drawn from art history, theory
and criticism. We will go on frequent field trips to apply the ideas and theories
we learn to the work of other artists, and participate in several mock critiques.

Course Goals:
 To communicate competently and effectively in mock critiques
 To use academic vocabulary orally and in writing, with a focus on
developing rich vocabulary related to the fields of art and design
 To engage actively with and think critically about written and oral texts on
the theory and meaning of art and design
 To analyze and review several art exhibitions by applying the materials
presented in class
 To take risks with language and communication, initiate and lead
discussions, and freely and clearly express opinions and questions
 To synthesize the class material by participating in a group curatorial
project

Major Assignments:
 Four 1 page “mini critiques” of art or non-art objects of choice
 A 1-2 page artist statement, with three drafts
 Three visual responses to the class materials (mini art projects)
 Three “mock critiques” of the visual responses, filmed with written self-
analysis/reflection/correction
 A group curatorial project
o 5 objects chosen with a unifying theme, theory or story
o A 1 page curatorial statement
o One paragraph “tombstones” for each object
o Presentation of the work in a thoughtful, meaningful and visually-
pleasing way
o An informal “gallery walk” through the project
o A critique of your peers’ exhibits

Ongoing/Additional Assignments:
 Readings, in and out of class
 Annotation of reading materials and journal responses
  Formal Discussion Leading
 Documentaries, TED Talks and other listenings, with journal responses
 Field Trip Reviews/Analyses
 Mini Presentations of Objects from field trips, chosen with a unifying theme
or theory
 Active class participation

Course Materials (please bring to each class):

 Line Color Form (bring to every class)
 A notebook and pen, and a folder for handouts, printed writing
assignments and annotated reading materials
 A laptop or tablet if we are not meeting in a computer lab (Wednesdays),
or if you prefer to use your own computer
 Your Class Journal – a special notebook for this purpose

Course Requirements:
 Participate actively in class activities and discussions, both in the
classroom and online in the Facebook group
 Ask questions when you do not understand – use both your instructor and
your peers as resources
 Support and help each other
 Come to class prepared
 No phones out unless I specifically ask you to use them for an activity; no
texting or web surfing that is not related to the class
 No late work
 No plagiarism. Please see Pratt’s Academic Integrity Standards under
“Grades” on this page: https://www.pratt.edu/student-life/student-
services/office-of-the-registrar/guidelines/
 Talk to me about any concerns or comments you have about the course
 Check the class Facebook page regularly

ePortfolio:
You are required to create an ePortfolio documenting your progress in reading,
writing, listening and speaking this semester (work compiled from all CEP classes).
You will include your best work from all your CEP classes this semester. Save ALL
of your work. Each work sample also requires an in-depth summary of the
assignment and a thoughtful reflection on the work. The reflection will show your
ability to self-critique and identify strengths, progress and opportunities for
improvement.
Final Assessment and Grading Policy
There are three grading options for the CEP.

P = exempt
IP = must continue in the CEP/IEP program
F = fail
This grade indicates that you were frequently absent (please see lateness and
attendance policy below) or did not complete required course work on time.

Lateness and Attendance Policy

 If you arrive 10 minutes late, you will be marked late. If you arrive 30
minutes late, you will be marked absent. Two late marks are considered
one absence.
 If you have more than three unexcused absences, you will not be able to
move to the next level or become exempt.
 If you miss a class, you must review the class Facebook page and get all
materials and assignments from a classmate. Homework and assignments
are due even if you are absent, and must be posted to Facebook or
emailed to me (even if the assignment is not collected in class)
 An excused absence requires a note from a doctor

Tentative Course Schedule – Spring 2018

This schedule is subject to change based on the evolving needs and interests of
our class. There may be homework beyond what is listed here. Please be sure
that you know the homework before leaving each class.

January
Th 18 Getting to Know You
 Speed Dating and Introduce a Classmate
 Needs Analysis - Survey
 Visual Self-Representation
M 22 Fashion Critique
 Visual Self Representation Presentation and Photos
 Syllabus and Course Goals
 Fashion Object Mini Presentations
 Watch: Project Runway
 Respond: Journal Entry/Project Runway Critique (finish at home)

DUE: Visual Self Representation and Fashion Objects

Th 25 Field Trip to MoMA

 Reading Due:
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/05/arts/design/moma-items-is-
fashion-modern-review.html

M 29 Freewriting Introduction
MoMA – Presentation and Review
February
Th 1 Freewriting Practice – Language of Description
Line Color Form
M5 Mini Critique #1 Due/Facebook “Gallery Walk” in class
Introduce the Artist Statement
Hockney Reading and/or Video
Th 8 Field Trip # 2 – Hockney at the Met
M 12 Hockney – Presentation and Review
Class Choice Field Trip Preparation Both Groups Proposal/Conference
Th 15 Class Choice Field Trip Preparation Group One – Student Selected
Materials and Discussion Leading
Artist Statement Draft One Due
M 19 Visual Response and Mock Critique #1
Th 22 Field Trip # 3 – Class Choice/Group One
M 26 Class Choice Trip – Presentation and Review
March
Th 1 Mini Critique #2 Due
M5 Class Choice Field Trip Preparation Group Two – Student Selected
Materials and Discussion Leading
Artist Statement Draft Two Due
Th 8 Field Trip # 4 – Class Choice/Group Two
M 12, Spring Break – No Class
W 14
M 19 Class Choice Trip – Presentation and Review
Th 22 Mini Critique #3 Due
M 26 Visual Response and Mock Critique #2
Th 29 Curatorial Project Proposal Due – plus 2 initial objects
April
M2 Curatorial Project Work Session – Curatorial Statement Draft One
Final Artist Statement Due
Th 5 Curatorial Project Work Session - Curatorial Statement Draft Two
M9 Curatorial Project Presentations
Th 12 Curatorial Project Reviews
Mini Critique #4 Due
M 16 Class at Brooklyn Botanical Garden (weather permitting) and creation
of final “visual response” for Mock Critique
Th 19 Final Mock Critique – Botanical Garden Project
M 23 Portfolio Polishing
Th 26 CEP PORTFOLIO REVIEW
M 30 CEP WRITING EXAM
F4 Final Conference