Course Syllabus

ART 3690 Figure Sculpture

Course Description

This course is an introduction to modeling the human figure in clay. Students will construct portrait and figure sculptures while working from the live model. Armatures, human proportions, anatomy, and types of clay and modeling techniques will be explored. This course is one of a collection of classes that revolve around the human form including, ART 2660 Portrait Sculpture, ART 2680 Ecorché - The Muscles, ART 3100 Figure Drawing, and BIOL 1450 Human Dynamics for Visual Artists and Performers.

Justification

This course provides a necessary understanding of the visual representation and composition of the human figure. It corresponds with similar classes at other USHE institutions. This course fills an elective for all art majors and is required for sculpture majors. It will also be a complimentary course to BIOL 2150 Human Anatomy for Artists and ART 2900 Figure Drawing for Art Majors. Sculpting the Human figure also reflects an area of expertise for one of the faculty members in the Department of Visual Art.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. MATERIAL PROFICIENCY: Demonstrate a material proficiency through the production of sculptures based on the human figure. An improved understanding of the human form will ultimately lead to a more capable and informed artist, and a better prepared student in many creative disciplines.
2. HISTORICAL CONTEXT: Demonstrate fluency in historical content and context by articulating how approaches to figurative sculpture have changed through history, and what influences both historical and contemporary are driving the aesthetic decisions of sculptors today. Students who understand the factors affecting contemporary figurative sculpture will be able to find their place as an active contributor to visual culture, and will be better prepared to thrive in the competitive art market.
3. CRITICAL ANALYSES: Demonstrate critical analyses of works of art by participating in oral group critiques and providing feedback on formal and conceptual issues associated with sculpting the human form. Students who are capable of articulating complex ideas, and receiving critical feedback are better able to contribute to a rich and productive artistic dialogue.

Course Content

This course will include: Illustrated lectures and discussions on various facets of historical and contemporary figurative sculpture; Discussion and application of human proportional systems; Demonstration of armature construction; Demonstration of clay modeling techniques; The creation of sculpture based on observation of both male and female live models in the studio; Study of the similarities and differences of the human body based on gender and cultural morphology; Individual and group critiques. Figure sculpture has been an integral part of artistic practice in nearly every civilization throughout the world for millennia. Students will be introduced to cultural and historical approaches to figure sculpture and the impact those approaches have had on aesthetics and on material processes. Consideration will be given to how things such as gender, race/ethnicity, religion, nationality, political ideology, and individual personality have influenced artistic production and appearance through time.