ART 440 A: Senior Thesis in Photomedia

The University of Washington acknowledges the Coast Salish peoples of this land, the land which touches the shared waters of all tribes and bands within the Suquamish, Tulalip and Muckleshoot nations. We acknowledge the people – past, present, and future – of the Dkhw’Duw’Absh, the Duwamish Tribe, the Muckleshoot Tribe, and other tribes on whose traditional lands we study and work.

ART 440 A Wi 22: Senior Thesis in Photomedia 

Prerequisite: ART 340

Credits: 5.0

Quarter — Day — Time: Winter 2022 — T/Th — 2:30pm - 5:20pm

Location: ART 116, ART 110, Zoom

Professors: Divya Mehra & Sean Lockwood

Contact: dmehra@uw.edu, cloudythensunny@gmail.com 

Office Hours:

Divya:  ART 130; Tuesdays 10:00am - 11:15am (by appointment, for longer conversations please send an email)

Sean: ART 010 (Photomedia Lounge); Tuesdays 11:30am - 1:00pm

Video Conferencing:

Zoom: https://washington.zoom.us/my/divyamehra (For Divya)

Telegram video chat: https://t.me/+1HlkaoriWtZiYWQx (For Sean)

Photo/Media Instructional Technician: Nick Strobelt

Contact: nickstro@uw.edu

Equipment Room: ART 010

Course Description: ART 440 A Wi 22: Senior Thesis in Photomedia will focus on the ongoing production of a coherent body of work for public exhibition at the Jacob Lawrence Gallery in Spring 2022. You will be responsible for the continued development and presentation of your studio practice, in addition to written responses and verbal participation during group critiques and discussions around contemporary artists. 

Communication: We’re scheduled to meet over zoom for the first week of classes, but we’re hoping to connect in-person every Tuesday (in rooms 116 + 110) for critique (pending University health and safety protocols). Every Thursday we will meet over zoom for group presentations, Canvas for announcements and group discussions related to presentations/critiques, and Telegram for quick group communication. Telegram has both a phone and desktop app. Once you download the app in either iOS or Google, please join this group:

Please join the UW Art 440 A Wi 2022 Telegram group: https://t.me/+1HlkaoriWtZiYWQx 

This is a private group chat.

Zoom: https://washington.zoom.us/my/divyamehra

Class Strategy: As you experienced last quarter, this course is over-enrolled by 1/3. It’s a gift to have so many voices present to share knowledge, but to do so safely, we’ve once again separated the class into two sections so that everyone has an equitable amount of time to share their work and ideas. On Tuesdays we will meet in person and get right into group critiques with your studio practice. Every Tuesday there will be 4 critiques per class. Section 🧱  starts in Room 116.  Section 🔥 starts in Room 110. We will swap rooms half-way between classes. 

Community expectations and structure during critique: As per last quarter, the critique "assignment" involves no "prompts". It is expected, that all work shared during critiques is *new work* from your studios. Your voice, perspectives and ideas is where your work should be generated from, as you and your peers are drawing from a multitude of lived experiences. Some may feel the desire to work with their environment, positionality or shared social experiences, but remember not all artists feel compelled to make reference to those conditions. You may present any medium, in any manner. What form your work takes should ultimately consider what content your work is questioning. Our community roles during critique, include making space for and being respectful of one another while offering critical, constructive and generous feedback. We are here to shape and develop our ideas into finished work. When responding to the work of our peers, please refrain from using words like "interesting" or phrases like, "I love..." or "I like...". The more precise we can be, the better we can be at providing feedback. Offer justifications for your thoughts. Think in context. Explain what you are seeing.

Community Goals:

* Develop a unique creative artistic language through presenting new work.

* Learn about underrepresented contemporary artists. 

* Develop empathy and articulate feedback in critique that is aware of contemporary, cultural context.

* Share with other artists your response to culture.

Community Guidelines:

* Strive for civility, honesty, vulnerability, and non-judgment

* Realize and take responsibility for your privileges (i.e. race, gender, socioeconomic status, education, and more)

* Expand your listening and streamline your talking

* Be aware that others may feel silenced and injured: respect and step back

* Ask more questions; offer fewer solutions

* Commit to keeping learning at the center of our time together

Class Sections: 

Each one of you will present new artwork in either room 116 or 110 every Tuesday. Each group will have a chance to critique your work. So, on that day when you present for critique, you will actually receive two critiques: one from bricks and one from fire!

Beginning March 1st each one of you will present new artwork in either gallery 09 or 10D. You will be working with your peers to install a cohesive exhibition that includes an exhibition title, a short group curatorial statement, and wall labels. More information can be found on the assignment page.  

Every Thursday both sections will meet as one group over zoom. As a group, you will research and provide readings/videos about your contemporary artist by the proceeding Tuesday leading up to your presentation. Share this via Telegram. More information about your artist presentation can be found in the assignment page. Also, each one of you will be required to keep a journal (google docs) for the artist presentations throughout the quarter. Following each presentation you will be required to respond to 3 questions in your journal. More information can be found on the assignment page.  

Contemporary Artist Schedule:

Sign up for everything HERE!

In the link above is the master sign-up sheet. You will be given access to this document on January 6th. Notice the three tabs at the bottom. Sign up once for each tab (Critique 1, Critique 2, and Artist Presentations). Research now what artist you would like to present on and don't forget to have back-up options. Also, consult your calendar! We would highly recommend not doing your presentation during the same week as your first critique.

Assessment:

Details + SoA Policies + Resources: 

School of Art Policies

-You have 24hr access to the art building, through the loading dock entrance, but you gotta get your key card validated first. Check out this page for that.

-Lots of gear to check out/facilities to use. Nick! He's in the basement. We have so much new stuff. Go chat with him. He's the best! 

Covid Health + Safety Information:

Covid-19 Prevention Plan or PDF

UW Vaccination Policy

UW Covid-19 Face Covering Policy

What Do I Do If I Feel Sick?

Resources:

• Student Tech Loans
• Tech and Internet Access
• Student Printing
• Low cost internet access for Seattle city residents
• Public drive-in WiFi locations
• HUB Study Space on Campus
• HFS Study Space on Campus
• UW Emergency Aid(Can be used for variety of needs)
• UW Medicine Virtual Clinic
• UW Food Pantry
• UW Counseling Center offering Zoom appointments 
• “Coping w/ Stress Related to Coronavirus Outbreak” 
• More links for food, health, housing and other support

Equal Opportunity:

• In concurrence with the University of Washington’s core values, and in compliance with State and federal regulations, the School of Art + Art History + Design reaffirms its commitment to equal opportunity. The commitment extends to the recruitment of faculty, staff, and students who exhibit a dedication to creative and academic excellence and who demonstrate the ability to work with a diverse spectrum of populations.

Diversity:

• The School of Art + Art History + Design fosters a respectful, inclusive community that supports creative and critical expression and scholarship amidst a culture that accepts the value of every individual. The School encourages students, faculty, and staff to engage in healthy dialogue and respect the values and global perspectives of a diverse population. The School promotes and encourages a culture of compassion, understanding, and an obligation to respectful discourse in classrooms, meeting rooms, studio spaces, and beyond. The School’s philosophy is reflected in our engagement with community partners and research endeavours locally, nationally, and globally.

Student Code of Conduct:

• The University of Washington has established rules regarding student conduct. Through the Student Conduct Code, UW students hold themselves to the highest standards of ethics, integrity and accountability. More information at UW Community Standards & Student Conduct (CSSC): https://www.washington.edu/cssc/for-students/student-code-of-conduct/ (Links to an external site.)
• If you have questions or concerns please contact the CSSC Team at 206-685-6194 or cssc@uw.edu

Equipment and Materials Safety:

• Substances and equipment used in creative processes can be hazardous.
• Enrolment in a class requires students to know, understand, and comply with all safety and equipment use policies for each classroom/studio.
• Exhaust rooms are mandatory for the use of aerosols.

Student Health and Wellness:

• Student health and well-being are important. UW-Seattle offers a wide range of health and wellness services, from exceptional medical care and counselling services to recreation classes, safety resources, peer health advocacy, trainings and more. These can be found at wellbeing.uw.eduLinks to an external site.

Violence Awareness and Prevention:

• Preventing violence, discrimination, harassment, and retaliation is everyone's responsibility.
• Call 911 for emergency help.
• Call 206-685-SAFE to report non-urgent threats or concerns.
• Safe Campus: www.washington.edu/safecampus (Links to an external site.)
• Concerns about sexual harassment: https://www.washington.edu/safecampus/harassment-and-sexual-harassment/ (Links to an external site.)
• NightRide provides a fare-free safe way for U-Pass members to get home at night: www.washington.edu/facilities/transportation/uwshuttles/NightRide Updated 9/21/21
• Connect to UW Alert. Register your mobile device to receive instant notification of campus emergencies via text and voice messaging. Sign up at www.washington.edu/alert (Links to an external site.)

Concerns about a course, an individual, or an issue:

• If you have concerns about a course, an individual, or an issue concerning the School of Art + Art History + Design, talk with the instructor in charge of the class as soon as possible.
• If this is not possible or productive, make an appointment with the Director of Academic Advising, 104 Art, 206-543-0646.

Disability Accommodation:

• To request academic accommodations due to a disability, please contact Student Disability Services, 011 Mary Gates Hall, (206) 543-8924 (V/TTY) or uwdss@u.washington.edu.
• Your instructor will receive an email outlining your academic accommodations prior to the first day of class. It is a good idea to discuss these accommodations directly with your instructor to ensure that your instructor can help you with your needs.

Religious Accommodation:

• Washington state law requires that UW develop a policy for accommodation of student absences or significant hardship due to reasons of faith or conscience, or for organized religious activities.
• The UW’s policy, including more information about how to request an accommodation, is available at Religious Accommodations Policy (https://registrar.washington.edu/staffandfaculty/religious-accommodation...).
• Accommodations must be requested within the first two weeks of this course using the Religious Accommodations Request form (https://registrar.washington.edu/students/religious-accommodations-request/)

Class Participation:

• First day policy: Instructors assume that if you are not present for roll call on the first day of a studio art class you have decided not to remain enrolled. If you miss the first day without permission, it is your responsibility to drop the course. You may contact the instructor in advance and ask for permission to be absent on the first day.
• Participation is essential to learning and success in all classes. If you miss class due to illness or emergency, notify your instructor and set up a timeline to complete missed assignments and exams.

Plagiarism:

• Plagiarism is using the creations, ideas, words, inventions, or images of someone else in your own work without formal acknowledgement or permission. This applies to written papers and research as well as to art, design and architectural images.
• Please check with your instructor if you have questions about what constitutes plagiarism.
• More information about reporting academic misconduct: www.uw.edu/cssc/report-it/

Copyright:

• The School regularly displays student art and design in a variety of ways to highlight the quality of our students and their learning. Updated 9/21/21
• This is traditional among all art schools and we assume that by participating in UW School classes and activities students have no objection.
• If you have concerns about the use of your work, please contact Academic Advising and Student Services (206-543-0646 or uaskart@uw.edu)

Incomplete Grades:

• To request an “incomplete” grade a student must have:• To request an “incomplete” grade a student must have:
• been in attendance and done satisfactory work through the eighth week of the quarter
• satisfactory proof for the instructor that the work cannot be completed because of illness or other circumstances beyond their control.
• More information from the UW Office of the Registrar: registrar.uw.edu/students/incomplete-grades/

Grade Appeal Procedure:

• If you think the grade you received is incorrect, contact the instructor to discuss your concern.
• If not resolved, make an appointment with the Director of Academic Advising, 104 Art, 543-0646.

Materials Fees:

• All art, design and art history classes have materials fees billed with tuition.
• Fee amounts and justifications are listed by class in the quarterly Time Schedule.
• These fees cover the purchase of materials, academic support, and equipment provided for students in each class.

Service Animals:

• The University has a general “no pets” policy in all of its buildings. However, Service Animals are allowed to accompany their handlers while on campus
• UW Disability Resources for Students outlines the policies around Service and Emotional Support Animals: depts.washington.edu/uwdrs/current-students/accommodations/housing/service-and-emotional-support-animals/

Lockers:

• The School provides lockers and locks to enrolled students. Cost is $12 per quarter.
• Students can rent a locker from the Administration Office, Art 102. The office accepts Husky Card, credit and debit.
• Obey all rules and guidelines printed on the Locker Assignment sheet issued. Failure to do so will prohibit future locker privileges.
• Students must clean out or renew their locker before the last day of finals week each quarter. If lockers are not renewed before the last day of finals, the lock will be changed and items discarded.
• The School is not responsible for any lost, damaged, or stolen property stored in lockers.

Art Building Exhibition Policies:

• Instructors and students must receive administrative approval at least two weeks in advance to install work in the Art Building.
• Read these policies and complete the included application form.
• Email the completed form to Ruth Kazmerzak (askartadmin@uw.edu), SoA+AH+D Administrative Services Coordinator, for approval.

After-Hours Access:

• ART Building hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 6:20 PM.
• Students enrolled in studio classes and accepted SoA+AH+D undergraduate majors and graduate students can have their Husky Cards programmed to access the Art Building after-hours.
• After-hours access is permitted only through the loading dock door facing Chelan Lane, near the Jacob Lawrence Gallery. Tapping your pre-programmed Husky Card at the terminal grants entry.
• Students may request after-hours access to the Art Building for course-related work by filling out this form. Students will need to use their UW G Suite account to access the application form. Please allow two business days after completing the form for access to be assigned.
• Anyone in the building after hours is responsible for the safety and security of the building. Anyone who allows an unauthorized person into the building or a workspace, props open a door for any reason, or fails to adhere to their studio-specific safety policies risks losing after-hours access to the building.
• Accepted majors and graduate students only need to apply for access once a year for Autumn-Winter-Spring access. Non-majors enrolled in studio classes will only be allowed quarter access and once the quarter is over, their access will expire. The School will reset access for every major at the beginning of summer quarter.
• UWPD frequently monitors the Art Building after hours to ensure your safety and security.
• If you are having access issues, visit Art 102 for assistance.