Faculty: Andrea Zemel, azemel@penn-partners.org

Subject/Discipline: Arts
School: University of Pennsylvania
Project Area: 
Community Partner: University City High School

COURSE OVERVIEW 

Introduction: 

The first 2 weeks of class will include attendance at the Fine Arts Shop Safety Course as well as a number of field trips. The first trip will be to a selection of community art sites on Philadelphia. The second will be to investigate our site for this course. Class is scheduled to meet in the sculpture room at Blauhaus however we will frequently meet elsewhere depending on the specific activities
of the course. I will try to use e-mail to keep you informed of daily activities and locations. 

On-Site Collaborative Sculpture Project: 

The significant portion of this course will involve developing an artist-residency project at University High School, located on 36th Street just north of Market Street. The University has created a significant relationship with this school, which borders Penn's campus. Our goal is to develop an outdoor art project (site has been designated) which involves U.C.H.S. students and reflects the
aspirations of the school, including Penn's relationship to it. We will plan, fabricate and install a collaborative piece at this site. We will be involved in studio activities together that will involve the use of concrete, steel and ceramic tile. Students are not required to have prior experience with these materials, however a willingness to learn is essential. 

Attendance: Because our work is collaborative, attendance is extremely important. Attendance will be taken daily and you must be present at the time of attendance in order to be considered present. A significant portion of your grade will be based on this participation. A lack of discipline in attendance will not only affect your grade, it will affect the others working in your group. 

Sketchbook/Journal: 

A sketchbook/journal will be required for this course. Entries should be made for each course meeting. Sketches, photos, ideas, and information relating to materials, process and planning should all be entered into your journal. Your responses to the collaborative process with your classmates and high school students should also be recorded regularly. 

Project Evaluation: Following the completion of our group project, we will review the process. You will be required to submit a final report with your journal as a formal evaluation of the project. Photo documentation is required. In addition, we will have some group discussions based on assigned readings. An exact schedule will depend on the flow of the on-site project. 

Final Assignment: 

Your final assignment will be to develop a proposal for a residency project. You may consider using this proposal for an independent study project during a subsequent semester. Your project should be well-thought through and researched. It should also be feasible - in terms of resources, expertise and participants. 

Materials: 

Most materials for the on-site project will be provided by the course. Additional materials may be required as designated. A hard-cover sketchbook and a regular or disposable camera is required for documentation purposes. 

Reading List: 

Reading materials will be made available on reserve. Books indicated with an asterisk are recommended and will be available (later) at the Penn Bookstore: 

Benedict., Stephen, ed. Public Money & the Muse. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, 1991 

*Doss, Erika. Spirit poles & Flying Pigs. Washington: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1995. 

*Felshin, Nina, ed. But is it Art? Seattle: Bay Press, 1995. 

Lippard, Lucy. Get the Message. New York: E.P. Dutton, Inc., 1984 

*Raven, Arlene, ed. Art in the Public Interest. New York: DaCapo Press, 1993.