courses /spring 09 /danm 215 /syllabus

DANM 215 MFA Exhibition Production

Instructor: Professor Soraya Murray

Spring 2009 Work Plan

Meeting Time and Place: Porter D-245 or on site at MAH Wed 9-12

Course Description:

The UCSC DANM MFA Exhibition is the culmination of two years of research and artistic exploration and will include new media works that explore performativity, interactivity and participation. These works interrogate the borderlands, edges, and contested territories of contemporary new media art practice.
Students in this course will be participating in their MFA Exhibition. Through this course, they will be instructed in all the practical aspects of executing a successful presentation, including but not limited to the following: installation practice; on-site exhibition design; curatorial direction; development of pamphlet and/or catalog; installation; reception; video and photo documentation of event; and de-install. Students enrolled in course will develop their exhibition under the guidance of instructor/exhibition curator. They will also be exposed to writings by scholars, curators and theorists within electronic and digital arts who give special consideration to the unique needs and challenges of presenting new media within the traditional museum/gallery context. Informal but structured critique will also be offered, based upon student need, and with the express purpose of creating a forum by which students can collaborate to ensure an exemplary exhibition. This course will largely function as a workshop, providing time, space and collaborative opportunity for the successful completion of MFA thesis project presentation.
Students will be evaluated individually based upon their final projects, their presence and participation in both development of the exhibition, and discussion of key themes as outlined in the course. Criteria for successful completion of course are as follows:
Successful completion of art/text components by deadlines set forth in DANM handbook: 25% Successful completion of committee responsibilities as pertains to event: 25% Attendance and participation in discussions: 25% Ability to meet deadlines for tasks as prescribed by curator/instructor: 25%

Curatorial Responsibilities

Under the general direction of the DANM chair the Exhibition Curator plans, develops and implements the annual exhibition of graduating students work in the digital arts representing a range of digital media and cultural perspectives and relating to the academic goals of the DANM MFA Program.
Responsibilities include managing the exhibition’s budget, exhibition design and installation of art works; and exhibition publicity and related graphic design work. The Exhibition Curator works with other organizations (Museum of Art & History) in planning, funding and carrying out scheduled activities. The Exhibition Curator works both independently and in collaboration with staff and students to define, organize and mount this exhibition.
50% Curatorial: Plans, researches and organizes annual MFA graduate in light of established program goals. Designs and supervises installation of exhibitions. Works with graduating students performing curatorial duties for the exhibition. Researches, writes, edits and designs educational and scholarly texts for exhibition catalogs, web site, wall labels and brochures. Designs and/or coordinates the design of all printed material and supervises production and distribution.
40% Preparation and Installation: Provides technical and artistic expertise in exhibition design, fabrication of necessary exhibition elements, production of wall labels and signage, painting and lighting. Maintains supervision over handling, preparation, and installation of works of art for exhibition. Formulates an installation design to underscore conceptual/educational content, adhering to mounting and lighting standards that ensure the security and conservation of works on display.
5% Management and Budget: Plans and carries out necessary facility maintenance and improvements. Analyzes budgetary needs of the exhibition based on historical expenditures, current costs and projected cost activity. Makes budget recommendations for exhibition needs as well as equipment and building maintenance.
5% Documentation Ensures that individual pieces and entire exhibition are documented in still photography and video.