DUE 2/16/2015

PROJECT ONE

MAPPING SEAHORSE KEY

IMPORTANT DATES

Fieldtrip to Seahorse Key: Friday, January 9, (leave 4:00 PM), Saturday, January 10 and Sunday, January 11 (return in the afternoon), 2015

Project Proposal: Wednesday, January 21, 2015

In-progress Critique: Monday, February 2, 2015

Mapping Project Critique, Monday, February 16, 2015

This project is worth a possible 30 points or 30% of your grade--15 points-final installation--5 points work for work at process crit --10 points-process on the blog

CONCEPTUAL OBJECTIVE

In this project you will collaboratively explore and create a piece of artwork about UF Marine Research Station at Seahorse Key. We will read articles and selections from books to help us understand different perspectives and methodologies for using mapping in the service of conceptual art. I am also open to your ideas and interpretations of what it means to map a island. In this “unit”, we will be exposed to and experimenting with some technologies related to mapping and geography. We will visit the map library here on campus, learn about Google Earth as potential software for art-making, and spend time using GPS devices to map and track movement. We will think about the places and environments that are nearby or local using your art practice as way/methodology to interpret your experience of place. How you define or look at the idea of local can be metaphoric as well as geographic. For instance you can map spatial relationships in “real” cartographic space or create another visual/aural/even haptic system of your own making. In this project, you will explore how to define the environment through mapping.

Because we are traveling to Seahorse Key so early in the semester, the way we will approach this project will be a little different than how we approach other projects. We will have a brief orientation about the ecosystems of Seahorse Key the Wednesday before we go, look at successful past projects, and contemporary artists who use mapping as part of their work. Please think about the equipment that you will take in addition the basics such as a sleeping bag, warm clothes, etc.

OBJECTIVES

·  Use various mapping and cartographic technologies to apprehend and represent space and place in terms of a small island.

·  Become familiar with geographic research and resources here on campus and on the internet

·  Cultivate a DIY approach to digital art making. (What can I make from what is around me and easily available.)

We will all be traveling to Seahorse Key for an overnight trip where we will stay at UF’s research station. This trip is a required part of this class so please if you have work or family obligations, please plan ahead

FORMAT

You determine the final format of this project. Part of the objective of this project is to take an idea and vision and work with it over time. You have six weeks to complete this project. The preparation is as important as the product. Writing reflectively on the blog about your process, how your ideas evolve, and document the research you do as you create your piece as well as evidence of experimentation with the mapping technologies and ideas that you choose plays an important role in my evaluation of this project. You can include images and web links to sounds, URLs that contributed to your ideas in addition to text. At the critique, you must not only turn in the documentation of your final product in the form of a DVD or CD, but also include the supporting files of the material that you worked with to get to the end product. You have about a month to complete this project. During this time, I need to see your process. You should expect to receive feedback both from the class and myself as you work on your piece. If any one has questions on what I am asking for, please do not hesitate to contact me.

MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES

During this month I will provide opportunities for you to experiment and play with different types of mapping technologies and ideas. With respect to your own pieces, you may need to purchase some equipment. You will also have access to a GPS device and microscopes for check out if you decide to use this medium.

WAYS TO APPROACH THIS PROJECT

Look ahead in the syllabus at the artist links to get ideas about what you might want to do. Think about situations where you interact with maps, geography, wayfinding etc. that were transformative to you. I will expect that during the next month you will have various prototypes or experimental evidence to show the class and myself along the way. Critical to this project is the idea of fieldwork and research. We will have a two-night trip out to Seahorse Key sleeping in the lighthouse. You basically have two days to experiment and collect data there for your project.

PERCENTAGES

Each project is work 30% of your final grade.

15% of the grade of the project is the final product that you bring to the critique.

Your piece needs to be finished and well crafted. You come to the critique with a data DVD with both your final and process files that is ready to be turned in to me. You need to be prepared to discuss your conceptual ideas and your process with the class. Ultimately you are in charge of your critique. After finding out how the class reacts to what you have done, you can and should ask questions that will help you to make your piece better.

5% of the grade of the project is your prototype that you bring to the in progress critique

10% of the grade is your process.

Much of this part is demonstrated in your use of the blog as a sketchbook. You regularly recorded your ideas and process as you made the piece (not after). You showed me the research (reflective writing and image collection) you did on your conceptual idea as well as the techniques that you employed to make the piece. You responded thoughtfully to the feedback you were given by your peers and myself. With respect to the blog, you can upload images, write text and include links to resources that you used while making this piece. You developed prototypes along the way.

GOOD LUCK. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING WHAT YOU ALL COME UP WITH.