ARTSCIENCE

BIL 385, ARH 530

Section O, 3 Credits

Fall 2010

Instructor: Keith D. Waddington
 

Goal:  The goal of this course is to study, evaluate, and create work that is at the interface of science and art.  The approaches to learning will be both historical and empirical.  Students will bring their expertise in their major to bear on problems and issues as well as embrace the methods and ideas of those students from other disciplines.  A student should expect to broaden her/his knowledge base in this course.

For Whom:  Majors from the following disciplines are welcome:  the natural sciences, Psychology, Architecture, Music, Art History and Art, Theatre, English and others.  This course is aimed at students with broad interests beyond their major field of study; students who wish to explore their interests in a broader context across the art (fine art, media, architecture, design, music, theatre, visual communication etc.) and the natural science divide.  It is for students willing to take risks, willing to learn by doing and by participating, for students willing to be creative.  Both historical and practice approaches will be employed for learning.

Context:  “Art and science are moving towards one another, discovering common issues and working methods. The creative, imaginative processes in the arts and sciences are similar, whereas the concrete realization of their results tends to differ. Repeatedly, this difference is the source of productive tension and areas of friction. In all disciplines of the arts and sciences, further developments over recent decades have been characterized by mutual influences and efforts at differentiation.  Today, traditional dividing lines between the spheres can no longer be maintained; they are being newly defined and presented in their permeability.” (From UdK Berlin Award for Interdisciplinary Art and Science). 

Format:  Classroom work will include:  lectures, discussion of readings from primary and review literature, independent projects, student presentations, and guest presentations.  Students will interact in small groups, they will bring their own background and foci of interest to the table to discuss, to create and to produce. 

Axes along which artscience will be explored:  1) Art in the dissemination or illustration of scientific findings, 2) science providing the knowledge for art production, 3) collaboration of artists and scientists in production of new product.

Topics/Activities:  Arts and science process - compare and contrast.  What is ArtScience? Why an art and science divide?  Historical study of the intersection of art and science.  Evolution of art.  Contemporary examples of artists and scientists working together to produce.  Lectures, readings, and investigations of artscience – history, processes and production, case examples.

Concurrent with lectures/readings/discussions/guest speakers, students will: 1) research and give a presentation on art-scientists, plan and execute a modest-sized group project and 2) complete a final group project.