Land & Environmental Art ARTS 3004/4004 provides a survey of art practices related to the land and environment. These terms are used very broadly and will be explored dialogically, along with hands-on projects in the studio and outdoors. Focusing on themes of site, environment, landforms, weather, climate and earth materials, students will design and realize a number of new artworks. In this course you will complete 3 creative projects and engage in discussion and critique of each of those projects. You will give presentations and also submit a final portfolio at the end of the semester.
Course Text:
Land and Environmental Art by Jeffrey Kastner and Brian Wallis (Themes and Movements, Phaidon Press)
Required Materials:
Sketchbook / Field-Research Notebook
Camera, phone-cam, drawing materials you like
Suggested Texts:
Art and Ecology Now by Andrew Brown (Thames and Hudson, 2014)Art Nature Dialogues by Grande
Undermining: A Wild Ride Through Land Use, Politics, and Art in the Changing West by Lucy R. Lippard (The New Press, 2014)
Anthropocene Poetics by Farrier
Eco-Aesthetics by Malcolm Miles
Natures Palette by Baty
SPRING 2023 COURSE SCHEDULE
VAC STUDIO 277 is available for you to work in anytime that there is not another class in session. You are also given storage space for your materials on the shelving in 277. For Lectures and discussion we will meet in 287.
WEEK ONE
January 17 Course Introduction
WEEK TWO
January 22 PRESENTATIONS: 1. Where do you consider home, where do you come from (locational or spiritual)? 2. Why are you taking this class? 3. Your Academic Major at CU-Boulder and goals for future 4. artists and artwork that you are interested in 5. Some examples of your artwork with descriptions 6. A few goals for the semester
Reading Due: What’s Next by Linda Weintraub (materials list), Words on the Environment by Friedman, ed. Alan Sonfist
Warner’s Nomenclature of Color * Keep this reading handy or even print parts of it for your sketchbooks
Lockers / Toolboxes
January 24 Project 1 - Earth Materials / Integration / Instructions
Due: Watch, Cave of Forgotten Dreams by Werner Herzog
Yoko Ono: One Woman Show , 8 Instruction Pieces
Begin making lists, experiments and collections of earth materials in sketchbook
(ideas: blueberries, honey, soil, tumeric, grass, water)
Lecture/Discussion: Earth Materials and Instructions
Weekend Required Field Research Trip: Choose One
Pioneer Landscape Center 6379 Valmont Rd, Boulder, CO 80301
ARS Landscape Supply 9470 Indiana St, Arvada, CO 80007
Colorado Wholesale Landscape Supply, 3680 E 168th Ave, Brighton, CO 80602
WEEK THREE
January 29 Project 1: Integration: Earth Materials and Instructions
Due: Field Trip Reports + Experiments with Natural Pigments Assignment:
In Sketchbook - Pick 4 to apply to your Field Trip, minimum of 10 material samples
Begin Instruction Pieces * make audio notes of your activities ( Who What Where How Duration Material Motions)
January 31 Project 1: Integration: Earth Materials and Instructions
Studio Work Time / Individual Meetings
WEEK FOUR
February 5 Project 1: Integration: Earth Materials and Instructions
Studio Work Time / Individual Meetings
February 7 Project 1: Integration: Earth Materials and Instructions
Studio Work Time / Individual Meetings
WEEK FIVE
February 12 Project 1: Earth Materials and Instructions Critique
February 14 Project 1: Earth Materials and Instructions Critique
WEEK SIX
February 19 Field Research Day - Photo Essay
Monuments of Boulder County - Self-guided tours + 6-page photo-essay.
Reading Due: The Monuments of Passaic, New Jersey by Robert Smithson
February 21 Field Research Day - Photo Essay
Monuments of Boulder County - Self-guided tours + 6-page photo-essay.
Reading Due: The Monuments of Passaic, New Jersey by Robert Smithson
Due: Watch Film: Troublemakers: The Story of Land Art - On Kanopy - Sign in through your CU ID.
Due: Watch Film: Levitated Mass: The Story of Michael Heizer’s Monolythic Sculpture - On Kanopy - Sign in through your CU ID.
WEEK SEVEN
February 26 Project 2 - Site / Non-Site / Horizon Photo Sculpture
Due: Monuments of Boulder Journey, PDF emailed to Richard
Reading Due: The Art of Michael Heizer from Artforum December 1969, Rosie Flanagan A Monument to Outlast Humanity by Goodyear
Discussion: The Land Art Phenomenon: Michael Heizer - Hero or Villain?
February 28 Project 2 - Site / Non-Site / Horizon Photo Sculpture
Cornelia Theimer-Gardella Photo Sculpture
Visiting Zoom Lecture: Preview Website https://www.corneliatheimer.com/exhibitions-projects
Reading Due: Theory of Non-Sites by Fusco Luccarelli,
WEEK EIGHT
March 4 Project 2 - Site / Non-Site / Horizon Photo Sculpture
Reading: Readings Due: Land Art in the Rearview Mirror by Lucy R. Lippard,
Hamish Fulton
Ana Mandieta, American Performing and Media Artist
Studio Work Time / Individual Meetings
VISITING ARTIST LECTURE: Natalie Ball. Monday, March 4 at 4:00 PM
March 6 Project 2 - Site / Non-Site / Horizon Photo Sculpture
Studio Work Time / Individual Meetings
WEEK NINE
March 11 Project 2 - Site / Non-Site / Horizon Photo Sculpture
Studio Work Time / Individual Meetings
March 13 Project 2 - Site / Non-Site / Horizon Photo Sculpture
Studio Work Time / Individual Meetings
WEEK TEN
March 18 Project 2 - Site / Non-Site / Horizon Photo Sculpture
Studio Work Time / Individual Meetings
VISITING ARTIST LECTURE: Jovan Speller. Monday, March 18 at 4:00 PM
March 20 Project 2 - Site / Non-Site / Horizon Photo Sculpture
Studio Work Time / Individual Meetings
WEEK ELEVEN
March 25 Spring Break - No Class
March 27 Spring Break - No Class
WEEK TWELVE
April 1 Critique Project 2 - Site / Non-Site / Horizon Photo Sculpture
April 3 Critique Project 2 - Site / Non-Site / Horizon Photo Sculpture
WEEK THIRTEEN
April 08 Introduce Project 3 - Lecture
Project 3: Land and Environmental Art: Involvement
Groupwork for Readings
April 10 Project 3 - Readings Due for Presentation
Anthropogenesis: Origins and Endings in the Anthropocene by Kathryn Yusoff - Eileen and Daphne
Weather Report Catalog - Cat, Adam
Undermining: A Wild Ride through Land Use, Politics, and Art in the Changing West by Lucy Lippard - Ethan, Sophia
Agnes Denes: Another Confrontation - Oscar
Staying Alive: Women Ecology and Survival in India and Eco-Feminism by Vandana Shiva - Elizebeth, Carlin
Art in Action Artists Profiles: Bernie Krause, Simon Norfolk, Amy Young, Mel Chin, Patricia Johansson, Mierle Laderman Ukeles, Cai Guo-Quing, Icelandic Love Corporation, Juane Quick-to-See Smith, Post-Commodity - Max B, Tibeau
WEEK FOURTEEN
April 15 Project 3: Land and Environmental Art: Involvement
Outdoor Self-Guided - Walk / Hike NCAR - Table Mesa Trail, Devil’s Thumb Trail, Interpretative Signage
April 17 Project 3: Land and Environmental Art: Involvement
Studio Work Time / Individual Meetings
WEEK FIFTEEN
April 22 Project 3: Land and Environmental Art: Involvement
Outdoor Studio Work Time
April 24 Project 3: Land and Environmental Art: Involvement
Studio Work Time / Individual Meetings
WEEK SIXTEEN
April 29 Project 3: Land and Environmental Art: Involvement
Studio Work Time / Individual Meetings
May 01 Critique Project 3 - Involvement / Implementation / Solutions & Speculations
May 6 FINAL PORTFOLIOS DUE BY 5PM
Spring 2024 Schedule of Events
Carlos Ramirez. Monday, February 19 at 4:00 PM
Natalie Ball. Monday, March 4 at 4:00 PM
Jovan Speller. Monday, March 18 at 4:00 PM
Stephanie Hanes. Monday, April 8 at 4:00 PM
Setsuko and Hiroki Morinoue. Monday, April 22 at 4:00 PM
Visiting artist lectures will be recorded and available for viewing in the Visual Resources Center's archive fall semester of 2023 (unavailable this Spring semester). Please join us for the in-person lecture and conversation in the 1B20 auditorium.
The Visiting Artist and Scholar Program aims to reinforce the mission of the Art and Art History Department by inviting leading artists and scholars to present an array of artistic practices, historical discourse and divergent perspectives that can increase access to creativity and forge new territories between the arts and broader cultural movements.
Contact: kirsten.stoltz@colorado.edu