Director: : Vassilis Vlastaras, Painter, Associate Professor
vlastaras.com
Faculty:
Kleopatra Moursela, Workshop Teaching Staff
GENERAL WORKSHOP COURSE DESCRIPTION - OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the workshop is to provide its students with a comprehensive study framework in the field of visual arts and allow them to understand the art field, using ways, methods and processes based on the mind and the senses. An additional purpose is the development of artistic skills and the enhancement of the visual art perception of the students. The development of a broader and high-level learning experience and knowledge of the theoretical and artistic studies, the creative artistic research and personal expression as they arise from historic recordings and more recent paths, formats and formalities of modern art in the field of artistic education, so that students can develop their artistic skills and contribute to the social, cultural and economic development of the country.
Strategies that may be developed should focus on artistic work in the modern social reality that requires from the artist social and communication skills, constant information regarding the artistic field, reflection on theory, criticism and the role of institutions. The expansion of artistic education today creates a demand for analysing and understanding questions, problems and social perceptions that do not relate to the field that each artist may define as their professional space. In modern art narratives, deeper ideas and approaches to the history of the intellect and art of the 21st century may emerge. In the workshop, we will approach the psychoanalytic critique that focuses on the subjective consequences of the work of art, the history of art that examines the social, political and economic context. We will explore the structure and meaning of the work and we will focus on the way, the meaning and the institutions that end up characterising and evaluating art.
Students, through a series of exercises in the studio along with scheduled projects and parallel presentations, lectures and workshops will learn to investigate and search in depth, use the appropriate media and techniques so that, using various criteria and experimentations, they are able to discover their personal ways of expression and responsibility.
1st YEAR
SEMESTER A and SEMESTER B
DESCRIPTION:
Painting semester A and B are an introduction to the artistic experience space. More specifically, the combined use of basic components for constructing an image is examined. Preparing students who will work in the professional arena as artists, in private and public areas where the artistic experience is vital. Students expand their field of knowledge with a central focus on drawing as a tool for expressing personal ideas, developing new artistic forms and a key element of artistic education.
The course consists of a series of lectures, presentations, discussions and exercises combined in such a way that they engage students with practices and applications for constructing images. Their first conceptual and compositional approaches.
OBJECTIVES:
Familiarisation and thorough examination of the techniques of the visual art language and reflection on issues of aesthetics and history of art, in order to search for a personal artistic idiom. First contact with planning and combining multiple meanings for communication. Ability to recognise basic elements of drawing, colour and composition. Familiarisation with the creation of rough sketches. First engagement with basic applications.
Students connect research and experimentation with materials and techniques and their practical application and implementation. They combine knowledge and skills through thematic exercises for the next stages of their course. They approach aesthetic issues regarding the relation of the physical reality with artistic practice.
RESEARCH:
Students learn to use the library of the school. Students become familiar with the artistic achievements and understand their position in the history of art. Students’ research must be formed through investigation, creativity, the assignment process, the appropriate use of time and their personal assessments and preferences. Students study commentaries on the work of visual artists and assess critiques from individuals and groups. They connect research and experimentation with materials and techniques and their practical application and implementation. Approach the connection of critical thinking with the creative act, in their activities not only in their personal artistic expression but also in the social aspects of their activities in the modern era. They learn to communicate within the team their personal artistic work and submit their personal vision and work to the critique and judgment of individuals and groups.
2nd YEAR
3rd SEMESTER
DESCRIPTION:
Students are invited to form their own perspective and justify their views on the themes of the exercises with written texts and actively participate in presenting said perspective during the semester. Developing the subjectiveness of students and investigating broader structures such as language, social relations and the unconscious mind. At the end of the semester, students must submit the results of their choice that they think best serve their proposal and will be evaluated for that. Students acquire knowledge and experience from participating in discussion groups, lectures, seminars with personalities from the artistic and broader scientific field. They create individually and collaboratively via research and they use their knowledge mainly for their artistic work or its theoretical articulation. They draw upon a question/issue in the field of visual art studies, exploring and assessing perspectives and presenting opposing opinions.
OBJECTIVES:
Students add elements to support their practice and their technical knowledge in plastic means and composition principles. They develop knowledge and skills through thematic exercises for the new stages of their course in the study field of format and content connection. They examine the prospects of their field of study for potential specialisation regarding their interests. They define the conditions for artistic self-expression by connecting the variety of means of expression with the skills of individuals. They utilise collective procedures organised in their field of studies and combine individual workshop activity with the current reality in the field of art.
RESEARCH:
Students define and explain the structure, the styles and the practices of a work of art, using tools, technologies, methods and specialised terminology. They broaden their knowledge on utilizing different art and non-art materials as well as new means and expression techniques. They design, clarify and assess a challenging composition and they learn to connect artistic study with other artistic or scientific fields, using theories, tools, methods from these fields in order to produce independently or collaboratively a work of visual art or a conceptual work.
4th SEMESTER
DESCRIPTION:
The structure of the exercises is such, as to cover a range of artistic practices and theoretical issues based on the modern artistic experience. Specific works and practices are used as case studies and particular emphasis is placed on the dialogue between examples, highlighting already existing knowledge, deepening it and enriching it. Students define and explain the structure, the styles and the practices of a work of art, using tools, technologies, methods and specialised terminology. They broaden their knowledge on utilizing different art and non-art materials as well as new means and expression techniques. They design, clarify and assess a challenging composition and they learn to connect artistic study with other artistic or scientific fields, using theories, tools, methods from these fields in order to produce individually or collaboratively a work of art. They perceive the evolutionary dynamic of their field of knowledge and of the current and innovative applications.
OBJECTIVES:
Thorough examination, open discussion and critical approach to the modern artistic creation. Students acquire knowledge and experience from participating in discussion groups, lectures, seminars with eminent persons from the artistic and broader scientific stage. They create individually and collaboratively via research and they use their knowledge mainly for their artistic work or its theoretical articulation. They draw upon a question/issue in the field of visual art studies, exploring and assessing perspectives and presenting opposing opinions. They acquire analytical and advanced knowledge on the object of their studies, including a critical understanding of theories, basic concepts, principles and methodologies of the artistic or broadly applied field of knowledge. They acquire an understanding of the importance and the role of composition in the Visual Art fields and learn to evaluate thematic knowledge and experience from participating in discussion groups, lectures, seminars with eminent persons from the artistic and broader scientific stage. They examine the prospects of their field of study for potential specialisation regarding their interests.
RESEARCH:
Research, study and discussion on artists, art groups or movements. Development of observation and analytical skills regarding phenomena that shape the artistic discourse and understanding its expression limits in order to articulate its meanings. Students add elements to support their practice and their technical knowledge on plastic means and composition principles. They develop knowledge and skills through thematic exercises for the new stages of their course in the study field of format and content connection. They examine the prospects of their field of study for potential specialisation regarding their interests. They define the conditions for artistic self-expression by connecting the variety of means of expression with the skills of individuals. They utilise collective procedures organised in their field of studies and combine individual workshop activity with the current reality in the field of art.
3rd YEAR
5th SEMESTER
DESCRIPTION:
Personal (Individual) work by the student-artist on various aspects of the art field of their own choice and decision and understanding the historical conditions, periods and context of the ideas surrounding them. Preparation of students so as to develop skills for acquiring knowledge that is necessary to further continue their studies with a greater degree of autonomy. Using conditions to highlight their particular style of writing and the elements of their personal expression dynamic. Recognising the parameters in the evolution of the drawing procedure. Assessing the need and utilising the study for the scientific support of their art projects. Analysing and adapting their acquired knowledge to apply it on various issues of their scientific field of study or their professional field as well as to acquire new knowledge. Negotiating a strategy on research or group performance, recording and applying the strategy and disseminating results. Reflecting on the acquired knowledge. OBJECTIVES:
Thorough examination, open discussion and critical approach to the modern artistic creation. Study and experience specific modern works of pivotal importance and theoretical texts providing tools for critical understanding and framing of the work. Students learn to work independently and in teams in international and interdisciplinary environments for producing new research ideas and planning and managing new projects. They make decisions, evaluate them and undertake their responsibility in complex and evolving contexts. They transfer the acquired knowledge and skills and apply them in a professional and responsible way, so as to plan and manage complex technical or professional actions or works. They actively promote their learning experience through artistic activities, visual art projects, social events with a collaborative and participative character.
RESEARCH:
Development of observation and analytical skills regarding phenomena that shape the artistic discourse and understanding its expression limits in order to articulate its meanings
6th SEMESTER
DESCRIPTION:
During this semester we explore methods for collecting and managing material that artists borrow from other fields (sociology, anthropology, journalism, history, etc.). We investigate how these practices (creation of archives, documentaries, interviews, statistical studies, websites) expand artistic production. Organising the subjective language as a tool for researching and interpreting the external and internal reality.
OBJECTIVES:
Cooperation with faculty members or working groups and development of a collective understanding of artistic practice. Joint study and presentation of thematics relating directly to the artistic activities of the participant and thorough examination, open discussion and critical approach to the modern artistic creation. Study and experience specific modern works of pivotal importance and theoretical texts providing tools for critical understanding and framing of the work.
RESEARCH:
Research, study and discussion on artists, art groups or movements. Development of observation and analytical skills regarding phenomena that shape the artistic discourse and understanding its expression limits in order to articulate its meanings.
4th YEAR
7th SEMESTER and 8th SEMESTER
DESCRIPTION:
The research process as an integral part of modern artistic practice. Students are encouraged to follow their own ideas, to investigate and experiment in the studio and the public space. Students connect the acquired knowledge and experience in the field of visual art studies to conditions and requirements of the artistic practice and to real-environment conditions. They invent ideas in the composition process. They curate the tone of their individual composition in terms of drawing and colour. Students become independent, creating innovative compositions of their own personal character. They acquire a coherent and comprehensive body of knowledge with elements from the field of visual art studies, artistic and more broadly scientific developments. They present estimates, quality and quantity evaluations of information in assignments and multimedia presentations. They complete short or long-term assignments, collectively and collaboratively, promoting the development of interpersonal skills based on diversity and multiculturalism.
OBJECTIVES:
Cooperation with faculty members or working groups and development of a collective understanding of artistic practice. Comprehensive understanding of the social context in which the artist is called to work, the critical orientation of artistic work and the optimisation of the public reflection of the student's work according to their respective choices. Students compose a plan, a critique, an analysis in a special artistic, educational, general scientific or more broadly communicative context. They deal with and resolve methodologically complex problems arising from their individual, personal proposals. They use their lateral thinking. They undertake within defined limits the responsibility for developing the knowledge, skills and abilities of persons or groups of persons to promote free, deductive and creative thinking.
RESEARCH:
Exploration of materials and techniques in the application field. Experimentation with various expression methods and techniques. Free use of materials and methods for approaching the various themes. Research, study and discussion on artists, art groups or movements. Development of observation and analytical skills regarding phenomena that shape the artistic discourse and understanding its expression limits in order to articulate its meanings.
5th YEAR
9th SEMESTER and 10th SEMESTER
DISSERTATION
Each student proposes the subject of their dissertation.
Theoretical justification and development of the subject.
Research and collection of materials.
Free use of materials and methods for approaching the subject.
Supervision and encouragement regarding the dissertation.
Support seminars for organising and presenting dissertations.
The preparation of the students’ dissertation is the result of a mental and internal personal research, experimentation and process. Modern artistic practice requires analytical tools, social and communication skills, constant information regarding the artistic field, reflection on theory, critical thinking regarding to role of institutions, etc. By researching and understanding their work on many levels, students may proceed in a substantial way to their next phase. The dissertation requires the analysis and understanding of questions, issues and artistic, philosophical and social thematics that arise from the rapid social changes and the production of independent artistic work by the student. Through this process, judges will fully understand the course, the evolution and the performance of the student.
OBJECTIVE:
Students acquire the basic knowledge of important cultural works of the local, folk but also more broadly modern culture. They plan a fully feasible personal artistic proposal as a composition for assessment at graduation. They classify their works in order to create a personal portfolio that may include visual art and theoretical elements. They understand the concepts, methods and practices of an artistic, technological or theoretical field of knowledge that includes elements of the respective professional fields, in order to thoroughly examine, expand and increase their acquired knowledge. They describe and evaluate the ways in which at least two areas of study define, address, and interpret the importance to society of a problem in art, in science, in order to propose an approach to the problem. They address key ethical issues of a cultural and/or social nature, formulate ethical perspectives on decision-making, and propose ways to deal with the ethical issue in a productive way. They define an important issue of the field of study within a broader social context and explain how methods from their main field of study or from other fields of the Department may by used to deal with said issue.
RESEARCH:
They enhance the development of initiatives using their ability to put their ideas into work/application/action. They support the requirements of their artistic and personal creative expression, through the intake and processing of complex sensory data. They develop metacognitive skills, necessary to continue individual learning in further studies with a high degree of autonomy.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
SCHEDULE:
Studio operating hours: The studio operates daily 8:00 - 20:00
Director’s and faculty’s office hours:
Vassilis Vlastaras: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8:30 - 14:30
Kleopatra Moursela: Monday, Wednesday, Friday 9:30 - 14:30
ACTIVITIES