Course Syllabus

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ART 421: TIME-BASED ART
Winter 2025 | T/TH 2:30-520pm | ART 002 (AKA Studio 2) Door Code: TAG 

 

Whitney Lynn, Associate Professor, Photo/Media + New Genres
Contact: wlynn@uw.edu  Office Hours: ART 218, email for appointment

 

 COURSE DESCRIPTION 

This course will focus on time-based art, including video, performance, sound, and installation. It also welcomes hybrid, expanded, web-based, and/or new media forms. Students may choose to work exclusively in one medium, or work across multiple forms. Experimental approaches are encouraged. A willingness to be open to new ideas is required.

As an advanced course, a high level of personal engagement and initiative is expected. In addition to in-class exercises and project critiques, students will learn about historical and contemporary works of time-based art through readings, discussions, lectures, screenings, attending guest artist talks, and visits to galleries and museums. 

Please note: due to the range of works that will be produced in this class, we will not devote class time to technical workshops. However, one-on-one tutorial help can be arranged as needed.

 

 LEARNING GOALS 

Through active participation and completion of all course activities, you will be able to:

  • Develop understanding of artistic intentions/the potential to communicate ideas through time-based artworks.
  • Analyze and interpret artworks (your own and others). Develop a formal and critical vocabulary for discussing and critiquing works.
  • Gain increased awareness of historical and contemporary approaches to time-based art.

 

 COURSE MATERIALS 

Canvas: All assignments, readings and video links will be posted on Canvas. Follow the weekly Modules to keep up with course activities.

 

Besides a way to access Canvas, the only required material for this class is a notebook. Bring it with you every class -- have it open, take notes, and follow-up on research suggestions.

 

For exercises and project assignments, each individual will be responsible for determining the methods and materials necessary to complete the work. For example, one person might choose to work with video, another with sound, a third with performance, etc. I will never dictate the tool you must use to make work. Instead, you will have to figure out how the tool/material/form best fits the concept/idea you are trying to convey. (The only limitation is that the work is time-based, as this is the course topic.) Don't let lack of experience hinder your ideas -- dream big, try out new ways of working, and we can figure out the logistics collectively.

 

Technology: Students can borrow equipment (cameras, lights, laptops, speakers, microphones, sound recorders, and more) from:

 

Additional production/fabrication resources for your work:

 

PERFORMANCE/INSTALLATION SPACES IN THE ART BUILDING 

The Art Building has three dedicated installation spaces available:

  • The Room (2nd floor)
  • 10D (basement -- Garrett in  checkout can help you book)
  • Gallery 9

To book an installation/performance space somewhere else in the art building:

The School of Art + Art History + Design has required protocols to follow when displaying art in the Art Building. The Art Exhibition Policy must be reviewed and the application for artwork installation form must be submitted to the Administrator two weeks before display installation.

 

BUILDING/STUDIO ACCESS 

Whenever a class isn't in session, Studio 2 is your studio! Feel encouraged to work here at night and over the weekends. 

The Art Building is open from 8 AM to 6:20 PM on Monday through Friday.
After Hours building access for students via Husky Card may be requested by completing a
form available on the school website https://art.washington.edu/general-policies

IMPORTANT: Do NOT share the key box code with anyone else (including other students) to help ensure security. And for security of equipment in the room, please make sure to close the door if you are the last person leaving the space.

 

 COURSEWORK AND GRADING 

This course is worth 5 units of credit. In general, at the University of Washington, courses require two hours of homework for every hour of class. So,  this class should end up taking about 15 hours of time per week (5 hours of class time plus 10 hours of homework). You can read more about coursework expectations here.

 

All assignments and due dates are listed in Modules. Make note of the schedule so that you can plan your work for the quarter accordingly. Give yourself enough time to develop ideas and make any necessary revisions. For critique dates, in addition to production/fabrication time, make sure you obtain necessary site permissions as soon as possible.

 

GRADING

For each assignment, you will be given a set of criteria or goals, and will receive one of two grades, Complete (Pass) or Incomplete (Fail).  If you do not satisfactorily complete an assignment, you will be given an opportunity to revise/redo the work. Feedback will be provided through critiques and/or written comments. If at any point you desire additional feedback, do not hesitate to make an appointment to meet during office hours.

 

Attendance and Deadlines

Assignments must be turned in on time to receive full credit. Canvas will automatically 5% per day on all late submissions.

 

If contagious illness or an emergency prevents you from attending class, email me in advance, check Canvas to stay up-to-date with coursework, and contact a classmate, to be filled in what you missed.

 

Keep in mind that critiques are the equivalent of exams. Unless you have a contagious illness or suffer an extreme emergency, you must be in class, ready to present. If you are unable to be in class to present, you must email me in advance with evidence of preparedness and we can attempt to arrange a new critique date.

With that said, if there is ever a situation where you are not prepared to share work for a scheduled critique date, don't skip class! Even if you are not ready to show your own work, participation in class is required and you are expected to give as well as receive feedback. Active participation will enhance your learning and contributing your thoughts will benefit our discussions as a whole.

 

Grading System Rationale

This assessment model is designed to encourage experimentation and creative risk-taking, without the fear of punitive grading. The goal is to place the emphasis on learning, and to shift away from an obsession over points, or concern about subjective evaluation.

This approach requires that personal responsibility for self-evaluation, learning, and growth. The story of your learning will be told through the work you produce--not through the grade you earn. 

I will do my best to give you the tools, feedback, and support to succeed, and welcome suggestions for improvement. In return, I expect you to be dedicated to your work and to take an active role in your learning. This includes asking questions, arriving to all class meetings prepared, participating in discussions, taking notes, and seeking more information outside of class on topics we don’t have time to cover. If you build a strong foundation for learning now, you will carry it with you for the rest of your life.

 

Participation is critical for success in this class. There is really no way to "make up" a missed class session. Likewise, being prepared and turning assignments in on time is essential for success.

As an artist, deadlines are rarely negotiable. If you miss a grant application deadline, or fail to install your work on time, it is nearly impossible to gain an opportunity for an "extension." That said, if you have an extreme life situation that prevents you from completing your work, of course talk with me, but the general expectation is that all assignments will be completed on time. 

 

 CLASS CULTURE 

Our goal is to create a class community that promotes engaged learning through a collaborative environment that encourages a sense of trust, challenge and joy. Each person must feel safe to communicate, to experiment, and to be afforded the respect of undivided attention. Here are a few guidelines to help promote this environment:

  • Devices (phones, laptops, tablets) may only be used when needed to present or document work and for research during in-class work days. Otherwise, keep them stored away.
  • Don't take a photo/record anyone's work, unless you are given permission. 
  • While our goal is to be attentive, please do not feel that you are a captive audience. If you ever feel uncomfortable, or do not want to participate in a performance, or even a discussion, you are not required to stay in the room.
  • For those of us that are shy or introverted, it can be challenging to insert ourselves into conversations, but full participation is critical for all of our learning. And, as a class community, we have a shared responsibility to promote equitable participation by ensuring that voices other than our own are heard.
  • While our goal is to come to a greater understanding of – not a consensus on –  the issues brought up by course materials and/or individual artworks, there will be times when we disagree with one another, and these moments present powerful opportunities for learning. How we express disagreement is vitally important. It's important for us to keep in mind that the goal in our discussions is not to win arguments or convince others to think like we do, but rather to mobilize rigorous intellectual engagement in the service of deeper understanding.
  • Lastly, despite our best efforts, all of us may say things that we regret upon reflection -- myself included. These are opportunities for growth if we greet them with humility and compassion rather than defensiveness and condemnation. There is great benefit in admitting mistakes, and we can always return to conversations, if we feel that there are lingering issues to address. The more trust and respect we build as a class community, the easier it will be to have honest, open, and dynamic class sessions.

 

 University and School of Art + History + Design Policies and Resources 

> CLICK HERE TO REVIEW SOAAHD POLICIES

(includes information such as the building policies, grading and absence guidelines, and contact info for offices such as SafeCampus and Disability Services)

Access and Accommodations

It is the policy and practice of the University of Washington to create inclusive and accessible learning environments consistent with federal and state law. If you have already established accommodations with Disability Resources for Students (DRS), please activate your accommodations via myDRS so we can discuss how they will be implemented in this course.

If you have not yet established services through DRS, but have a temporary health condition or permanent disability that requires accommodations (conditions include but not limited to; mental health, attention-related, learning, vision, hearing, physical or health impacts), contact DRS directly to set up an Access Plan. DRS facilitates the interactive process that establishes reasonable accommodations. Contact DRS at disability.uw.edu.

 

Voicing A Concern

At some point in your experience as a student, staff member, or faculty member in the School of Art + Art History + Design, you may have a problem that requires help. This could range from conflict with an instructor, to difficulty with a colleague, to an experience of discrimination, to an event in the School or beyond that compromises your safety.

 

Student Health + Wellness Resources

  • UW Counseling Center offers multiple options for students seeking help coping with stress and mental health concerns.
  • SafeCampus is dedicated to supporting anyone at the UW dealing with potentially difficult or dangerous situations including, but not limited to: resolving conflict, addressing concerning & prohibited behaviors, suicide / self harm, relationship violence
  • Urgent Help Options for medical & mental health are available to students through UW and several off-campus organizations: https://wellbeing.uw.edu/mental-health/urgent-help/
    • Call 911 in emergency situations. Reminder that emergency services that are dispatched also include medical professionals that can assess the situation and recommend resources and services.

 

Art Library Resources

 

Additional University Resources

 

 OPPORTUNITY LISTINGS 

UW Academic Advising Office Calls for Work

Office of Arts & Culture (Seattle) 

Artist Trust (WA) 

4Culture: Grants + Artist Calls

CAA Opportunity List

Café Call for Art

The Big Artist Opportunities List  (Artist Residencies)

Creative Capital Opportunities

California Arts Council 

Mass Cultural Council Support for Artists 

Call For (international) 

GYST (call for art) 

Chicago Artists Coalition 

Res Artis (residencies) 

Hyperallergic Monthly Opportunities  (click "tag" on bottom for updates each month)

Course Summary:

Date Details Due