In response to the "super wicked" problems that we must respond to today like climate change, many contemporary art practices, alongside new materialist philosophy and recent research in the natural sciences complicate established ideas about the distinction between "nature" and "culture". In this course we will explore a posthuman understanding of artistic practice, appreciating and engaging with the activities and agency of materials, technologies and forces. Understanding the artist's role as one actor among others in the creation of a work, in this course we will explore how to bring the relations between different actors to the fore. The course will involve analysis of recent posthuman art projects and the development of projects that explore specific systems and relations, activating different media and materials. The course will incorporate technical instruction in bronze casting alongside 3D modelling and printing as a way to examine the agency and potential of two different technologies and materials of replication.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- use, create and discuss posthumanist art practices that engage with materials and technologies as active agents;
- realise, document and present artworks that critically engage with posthumanist art practices and the specific materials and technologies used in the major project;
- conduct research into practices and discourses around posthumanist art practice and the specific materials and technologies used in the major project and apply findings to creative production; and
- analyse and substantiate artistic outcomes with research and rationale.
Other Information
School of Art & Design studio courses have a limited enrolment capacity. Students are advised to enrol as early as possible to maximise the opportunity of securing a place.Indicative Assessment
- Contextualising research (20) [LO 1,3,4]
- Critical reflection, 1000 words (10) [LO 1,3,4]
- Project and developmental work made in response to research into posthumanist art practices and the active properties of materials and technologies (70) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Assessment will be based on the Rubric for this course. Assessment includes periodic critique and review sessions that provide formative feedback on work in progress. (null) [LO null]
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Workload
130 hours of total student learning time made up from:a) 48 hours of contact over 12 weeks comprising lectures, tutorials, critiques and supervised studio practice; and
b) 82 hours of independent student research, studio production, reading and writing.
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Nil
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 12
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $3660 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $5100 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.