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Course Course Outline - AVT 399 / 599 - Informed by the Land: Experimental Media
Professors: Maria Karametou and Mark Cooley
Summer 2008
Athens and Skopelos, Greece
NOTICE: This course outline indicates a rough guide to where we are headed. However, additions, subtractions and reorganization of course content is likely. You will be informed of any changes during class meetings. In addition, you should revisit this page routinely. It may be updated throughout the semester.
It should go without saying that this outline, along with the rest of this site, is not any kind of substitute for class attendance and participation. As stated numerous times on this site: this is not an online course. You cannot pass this course by relying simply on content provided on this site. Project descriptions on this site will, more often than not, lack specific technical and conceptual parameters. They should be treated as a resource to accompany in-class lecture, discussion and project descriptions.
July 10
New York to Athens
Departure 4:30 pm Olympic Airlines #412 JFK
July 11
Arrive Athens, Greece 9:10 am
Transfer from airport to Hotel Astor (http://www.astorhotel.gr/)
Check in hotel; reconvene @ 6 pm.
Orientation and evening tour of the historic Plaka district.
Documentation of experience.
July 12
10 am. Visit to the Acropolis, Parthenon, Ancient Agora, Socrates’ Prison,
Areopagus, etc. Visit the brand new Acropolis Museum.
Documentation of experience.
July 13
Visit to the National Archaeological Museum, one of the world’s most important museums which hosts Ancient and Classical Greek Antiquities such as the Archaic Kouroi, the Mycenaean treasures, the recently excavated Thera frescoes, and many others.
Please note: Athens is an ancient city full of Museums, historical monuments, colorful neighborhoods, street peddlers and sophisticated cosmopolitan boutiques – although you will undoubtedly want to explore some of these in your free time, it is impossible to see everything in just a few days.
July 14
Departure 6:30 am from Athens to Ag. Konstantinos Bus leaves at 7:00 am
Departure 10:30 am from Ag. Konstantinos to Skopelos, (hydrofoil, Flying Dolphin)
Arrive 1:35 pm Skopelos Island
Skopelos Foundation Student /Director meet and greet.
Settle into accommodations.
Reconvene @ 6:30 for Foundation orientation and welcome dinner.
Class time at the Foundation Studios will be structured in two part work sessions at seven hours per day:
AM session 9:00 am – 1:00 pm,
PM session 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Each work day will begin in the Studio @ 9:00 am.
(Breakfast will be served at 8:30 am daily at the Foundation )
July 15
AM Course overview and studio orientation, walking tour of Skopelos.
PM TBA
July 16
AM Introduction to Project #1. Interaction / Invention
An interaction with a previously unknown person or place acts as a catalyst for an artwork constructed from locally found or purchased materials and/or media (such as grocery bags, Greek newspapers, comic books, butcher paper, etc).
Must not spend more than 5 euro on project materials.
PM Presentation of collected material and/or media, description of interaction and ideas on constructing the project; (including sketches).
Lecture/ discussion.
July 17
AM Studio work on project #1
PM Synthesize / review work in process, project discussion
July 18
AM Introduction to Project #2. Sense of Place / Sites of Meaning
Documentation of a specific place leads to further research and the production of an artwork that incorporates the collected material or media.
Review, discussion, finalizing studio work on Project #1
PM Project #1 presentation and critique
Documentation of project (if temporary)
July 19
AM Work on Project #2
PM OPEN
July 20
OPEN
July 21
AM Work on Project #2
Introduction of Project #3. Inside and Out: Mapping the Terrain
A growing familiarity with the local terrain and culture leads to the construction of a map and the identification and/or construction of a series of landmarks that lead others on a physical, mental and emotional journey through a place.
Students are encouraged to work collaboratively, however individual projects are possible if the concept requires it.
PM Presentation and Critique of Project #2
July 22
AM Work on Project #3
PM Maria individual work presentation
July 23
AM Mark individual work presentation
Presentation of sketches and ideas for independent project (Project #4) relating to narrative content, landscape and architecture, "dimensional drawing", interdisciplinary work, etc as explained in class.
PM Presentation of Project #3
Documentation of Project
Critique and Discussion
July 24
AM Work on Individual Projects
PM Work on individual projects
July 25
AM WORK, Begin installation of exhibition at Foundation.
PM Free. An evening out in town.
July 26
AM Continue installation and preparation for exhibition
PM Exhibition Opening and Finishing Party and Dinner/BBQ
July 27
AM Studio clean and course work documentation review
PM Continue
July 28
AM Field trip
PM Prepare for return to Athens
July 29
Departure 7: 00 am. Skopelos (Flying Dolphin)
Arrive 10:00 a.m Ag. Konstantinos. Private bus to Astor Hotel.
Arrive Athens 1 pm
July 30
Athens to New York
Departure 11:00 am Olympic Airlines #411
Arrives JFK @ 2:55 pm
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