13~17 year olds - Re-enact, Re-make, Re-play, Re-cord - Contemporary Art Summer School

About the course

What is the role of an artist? What is creativity? How can you communicate your ideas and thoughts through art?

In this multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary art workshop, we will explore how contemporary art is used to raise questions with a wide range of methods and materials. We will look at different traditional, modern and contemporary artists, with a focus on learning alternative methods and positions that will help you to realise your creative ideas. Through playful experimentation with unconventional materials and mediums – from everyday household items, recycling objects, to alternative photography, internet-art, moving image, performance art, experimental sound making, art & activism, participatory practice, animation, sculpture, drawing, illustration, installation, painting, printmaking and many more, you will develop your individual practice within a supportive, laboratory and collaborative atmosphere.

This course is specifically designed for 13-17 year old, using practice-based methods to help students to gain knowledge and expertise in creative art practice.

Course outline

• Day 1: Re-enact - Spinning the Gossamer Thread
• You will look at how contemporary artists use unconventional methods and materials to search for answers to deep questions, motivated solely by curiosity and without concern for failure. You will start the day with making instant “composition” inspired by Brazilian artist Lygia Clark, using paper and found objects. You will then explore the concept of relational objects and participatory art through the re-enactment of Clark’s participatory work ‘Live Structure’ (1969-70). You will then have the opportunity to make your own relational object in the art studio space.
• Day 2: Re-make – Create your own language
• You will explore, using digital technology, artificial intelligence and machine-learning in art making. You will work in pairs to create your own language and vocabulary. You will then play an alternative “Charades!” game, which uses the language and vocabulary you have created. You will then learn to use AI (Artificial Intelligence) – generator provided on computers to transform the language and vocabulary into images and create collages, prints and sculptures.
• Day 3: Re-play 1
• You will explore how artists use photography in their creative art practice and process. In response to artist Erwin Wurm’s series, One Minute Sculptures (1977), you will use camera;s provided or your phone camera to create your own mini series of one minute sculptures with found objects and art materials provided. You will then make your series of one minute sculpture into a photobook.
• Day 4: Re-play 2
• You will explore how artists using moving-image in their creative art practice. You will learn how to use mind-map and diagrams in your sketchbook to generate ideas for collaboration and experimentation. You will work in a team of 3-4 to make a 1-minute short film, which will be uploaded onto the workshop website. 
• Day 5: Re-cord
• You will look at how different artists (contemporary & traditional) use sound in art making, which include DIY sound instrument, electronic music making, experimental sound composition and soundscape design. You will experiment as a group with MINIMU Gloves, a MAGIC glove that allows your hand gestures to make sound. You will then have the opportunity to play with the ready-made DIY instruments provided by the workshop, and to make your own sound instrument to bring home.

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, you will leave with a creative toolkit to help you develop your creative art practice and critical thinking through the experiences of creating participatory artworks, making AI-generated art, making your own photo book, completing a small film production, and inventing your own experimental DIY music instrument. You will have a fresh taste of the joy and freedom in applying interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary methods for your future creative art practice journey.

Course dates

Monday 15 August to Friday 19 August 2022, 09:30-15:30

Course cost 

£200

Contact us

If you wish to discuss this or any other creative art short course please contact the short course team on 01707 285327 or ad-shortcourses@herts.ac.uk

Important information

Times

Signing in is from 9.20am and 9.25am each day in the Art Gallery and the summer workshops will start at 9.30. We finish at 15.30pm. You will need to be picked up promptly at 15.30pm, again from the Art Gallery. Parents and carers, if you have any problems and think that you may be late, please let us know by calling 01707 285327.

Where to find us

For directions of the campus site, please follow the link below where you can download a map of the College Lane Campus:

https://www.herts.ac.uk/contact-us/where-to-find-us/college-lane-maps-and-directions

Drop Off/Collection

The drop off point is the Art Gallery, and you can find this by our wayfinding app here. We suggest you park in one the bays around the nearby Lindop Building for drop off. You can drop off anytime between 9.20am and 9.25am. Collection is promptly at 15.30. nb There is a strict 30-minute limit to free parking. If you are over this time, we suggest paying for a 1-hour car park ticket to avoid a fine from our external parking providers.

The Programme

We have an exciting programme of activities planned. You will find out more about art and design courses and you will be meet practising artists and designers.  Each group will have an assistant art tutor with them for the whole time you are here, and you will meet them on your first morning.  They can help you with any concerns you have while you are here.

Enrolment

Parents/Guardians: When registering, please enrol with your own details. There is a field on the enrolment paperwork where you can enter your son or daughter's name and age.

Emergency Contact

We need contact numbers so we can contact parents/carers at any time.  These details need to be confirmed on the form attached to the email. Should you need to contact us please phone the Short Course Office on 01707 285327. It is very important that we know in advance if you cannot for any reason be collected on time at the end of the day.

Clothing

Wear suitable and comfortable clothes as you may get messy and dirty (that is what art is all about!).  An overall, apron or large shirt would be ideal.

Food & Drink

You will need to bring your own packed lunch. 

There will be vending machines available for extra treats so please bring a small amount of cash if you would like to use this facility. Water will be available during breaks and lunchtime in the Chill Out space. 

Materials to bring along

All materials needed for all the summer schools will be provided by the University.

Medicine

If you need to bring any medication with you, please make sure it is clearly labelled with your child’s name and any instructions. These can be administered by us provided the medical permission form enclosed has been signed by a parent or carer and handed in on arrival on your first day.