Kristine Diekman

VPA 380 – 9

Video Installation Art

Tu, Th 10:00AM - 11:15AM

Arts 340 & 342

Office Hours, Arts 309, Tuesdays, 1 – 2:00pm or by appointment

Video Installation Art is a studio course that teaches students the history, theory and production of art forms that utilize video and media, including drawing, sculpture, physical computing, and audio. It treats the production of video as one artistic component in a multi-disciplinary artwork. Students learn about shooting and editing video, creating installation environments in which to integrate video, and how this work is presented in museums, galleries and other non-traditional art spaces such as street art.

Course goals:

· Students learn basic video production skills and post-production techniques that are specific to making video art installations

· Students become familiar with installation art forms

· Students learn to design and implement the technical and formal elements of installing art work in a gallery or site-specific setting

· Students are able to speak and write about their work and the work of others.

There are three major assignments:

#1 Closed Circuit Video Art Installation (30%)

Using video monitors, projection and cameras in a live, real time art work, focusing on how the viewer’s body and consciousness is effected by the art

#2 Breaking The Frame (30%)

Using video projection in unique ways that break the rectangular frame, such as projecting on objects, alternative surfaces, and masking the frame to change its shape. In this assignment we will contrast the material and ephemeral aspects of video installation art.

#3 Interaction and Immersion (30%)

We will build total room environments that engage the viewer’s senses and activates their spectatorship. The goal is to engage the viewer to become an active participant in the installation.

Other assignments, such as reading, writing, discussion, tutorials, will make up the remainder 10%.

I will take attendance in class. Four missed classes constitutes a failing grade.

Texts

There are no required books for this class. However, if you have never used Final Cut Pro software to edit, I recommend that you buy this book and complete the tutorials outside of class time:

Apple Pro Training, Final Cut Pro 6, Diana Weynand, Berkeley, Calif. Peachpit Press, 2007.

An online version can be accessed on the web through the CSUSM library website, and you will need your username and password. Access the library online, and use keyword “apple pro training”. You will find several good resources, including Final Cut Pro 6 (#15). The online tutorials do not include the media necessary to complete them. Media will be on the desktop of each computer workstation. You will need to make a folder on your external drive with your name on it and copy the media to your folder. I will demonstrate.

Any additional reading to supplement course content will assigned during the semester as necessary. Whenever possible, this can be found online.

Arts 340 Video Lab

Lab Hours: are posted on the doors of the lab. You have 24 hour access to Arts 340 and 342 (when other classes are not scheduled) by calling dispatch at 750-4567 when you arrive. They will let you in, but you must have your student ID.

Materials

All video, audio and editing equipment is available to you to check out at VPA checkout in Arts 239A. See checkout rules and lab rules. http://www.csusm.edu/vpa/checkout/index.html

In addition, you will need to check out an external drive at the VPA checkout or from the library. Keep this for the duration of the semester. This is for you to put your video files on.

You will need to purchase a notebook or sketchbook in which to write, take notes, make storyboards, drawings, and record ideas.

You will need to buy 2-3 60 minute miniDV tapes (or more) and 5-10 DVD-R. If you don't own an external hard drive, they can be checked out at the VPA check out or at the library student help desk.

Furloughs

You have heard that CSU has mandated that steps be taken to reduce expenditures for the 2009-2010 school years. The CSU faculty has agreed to take furlough days to implement the reduction in a manner that helps avoid faculty layoffs. In accordance with the Furlough Agreement between the CSU and the California Faculty Association, your instructor has been required to identify the dates within the school year that will be furlough days and certify that no work will be done those days to satisfy legal and ethical requirements of the California Labor Code. Those dates will appear in the schedule of classes your instructor provides. Your instructor will make every effort to provide you with the quality education you are due here at CSUSM.

What is the faculty furlough? http://www.calfac.org/allpdf/Budget_09_10/FurloughSideLetter.pdf

If you wanted to lodge a complaint to administration about lack of classes or fee increases, a complaint form can be found at:

http://www2.csusm.edu/cfa/Furlough/complaint_form.htm

The week to week schedule is subject to change due to faculty furloughs and our own progress as a class. You must check on-line and email for updates.

Week #1

9/1 Introduction to the course. Skills survey

9/3 Introduction to FCP and the Video Lab

Available Tutorials and Self-Guided Learning

Week #2

9/8 Introduction to Video Installation Art, Part I

9/10 Introduction to Video Installation Art—Closed Circuit, Part II

Week #3: Closed Circuit Installation

9/15 Introduction to Closed Circuit Technical Set up and Workshop; Examples of schematics

9/17 Introduction to Closed Circuit Technical Set up and Workshop; Examples of schematics

Week #4

9/22 Presentation of Your Schematic for Closed Circuit Installation

9/24 Presentation of Your Schematic for Closed Circuit Installation

Schematic:

Based on what you have learned technically and conceptually about closed circuit installation art, create a schematic of what your final installation art work will look like. The schematic includes the following : 1) a sketch or plan which shows how the elements (monitor, projector, camera, etc) are arranged in space, 2) a plan for how the cables and power are connected, 3) a short 150 word description of what the work is about or what you are trying to achieve. Prepare this to project in class – it can be a word document, a PowerPoint, scans of your drawings, etc.

Week #5

9/29 Self-guided work day to test aspects of your installation in studio (Faculty Furlough day)

10/1 Self-guided work day to test aspects of your installation in studio (Faculty Furlough day)

Week #6

10/6 Presentation of Assignment #1, Closed Circuit Installation to Class

10/8 Presentation of Assignment #1, Closed Circuit Installation to Class

Each of you will install your project for the class to experience. I will provide a list with your presentation day. It is your responsibility to book the necessary equipment. We might need to share. Everyone helps install each other’s equipment. You should start your installation before class starts if possible.

Week #7

10/13 Presentation of Assignment #1, Closed Circuit Installation to Class

10/15 Presentation of Assignment #1, Closed Circuit Installation to Class

Each of you will install your project for the class to experience. I will provide a list with your presentation day. It is your responsibility to book the necessary equipment. We might need to share. Everyone helps install each other’s equipment. You should start your installation before class starts if possible.

Week #8: Breaking the Frame

10/20 Introduction to Masking Techniques – Presentation of some approaches to combining projected images with sculptural objects, drawings, and other surfaces. Judit Hersko will present her work. I will present “Future Gen” and other artist’s work.

10/22 Self-guided work day to develop ideas (Faculty Furlough day)

Week #9

10/27 Introduction to Masking Techniques – Using FCP and Motion to mask out parts of the image for projection, in class workshop; bring footage to experiment

10/29 Lab Day – bring footage to experiment --a day for you to work with your own images and test projections(depending on how much you get done, we will either present work on 11/3 or will use one more in class work day)

Week #10

11/3 Presentation of Assignment #2, Breaking the Frame Installation to Class

11/5 Presentation of Assignment #2, Breaking the Frame Installation to Class

For this presentation, have your video ready to project on whatever object, surface or area you have chosen. The video can be played back on a DVD, from a computer as a Quicktime, or from a video tape. You are responsible to reserve your own equipment. We might share equipment, and everyone helps each other in set up.

Week #11

11/10 Presentation of Assignment #2, Breaking the Frame Installation to Class

11/12 Presentation of Assignment #2, Breaking the Frame Installation to Class

For this presentation, have your video ready to project on whatever object, surface or area you have chosen. The video can be played back on a DVD, from a computer as a Quicktime, or from a video tape. You are responsible to reserve your own equipment. We might share equipment, and everyone helps each other in set up.

Week #12: Interaction and Immersion

11/17 Introduction to Interaction and Immersion

11/19 Introduction to Interaction and Immersion

For this final project you can work in groups not larger than three. Everyone must have a meaningful role. If you decide to work in groups, you must provide a written summary of what everyone in the group did, and it must be signed by all group members.

Week #13

11/24 Self guided work designing your project (Faculty furlough day)

11/26 Thanksgiving Day

Week #14

12/1 Presentation of Assignment #3, Interaction and Immersion Installation to Class

12/3 Presentation of Assignment #3, Interaction and Immersion Installation to Class

Each of you will install your project for the class to experience. I will provide a list with your presentation day. It is your responsibility to book the necessary equipment. We might need to share. Everyone helps install each other’s equipment. You should start your installation before class starts if possible.

Week #15

12/8 Presentation of Assignment #3, Interaction and Immersion Installation to Class

12/10 No class, furlough day

Week #16

12/15 Finals week; no class, furlough day