School of Art - University Electives, Semester 2, 2020

Your program requires you to complete courses from a list of University Elective options.  These courses can be from anywhere in the University, or from within the School of Art.  To choose your elective please visit the University Electives site. We have listed Semester 2 School electives below for your reference. Please note that offerings can be subject to change.

To add an elective in Enrolment Online, choose the 'Class Search' tab, select the relevant Term, and search for the name or course code of the course you are interested in.

For more information about a course, please contact the Studio Lead of the offering studio.

Please note: although we would like to offer all of the courses below, courses are subject to viability and may not run if numbers are too low.

Course Information

Offering Studio & Studio Lead

2020 University Electives

Semester 2 - University Electives

VART1704 Alternative Photographic Processes
VART3511 Art and Photography
VART3480  Artist's Books
VART3514  Ceramic Fundamentals
VART1325  Drawing Elective
VART1221  Lithography: Drawing to Print
VART1316  Painting Elective
VART3590 Photography 101
VART2027  Public Art Projects
VART1398  Sculpture Elective
COMM1272  Studio Production
VART3500  The Print Original Paradox
VART3464  Video Art
VART3473 3D Printed Objects

Semester 2 - University Electives

This course introduces you to the beginnings of Photography to the present day. You will examine the early photographers exploring the chemical and physical phenomena that define the medium of photography. You will also explore the techniques, processes, history, and cultural connections that are such a significant part of photography. The studio will be presented through a variety of activities including workshops, darkroom, experimentation, lectures, critical analysis, discussion, practice, presentation and reflection. 

In this course you will investigate how photography functions within a fine art context. This is investigated through an overview of historical and contemporary photographic ideas and practice. You will be exposed to a diverse range of significant local and international artists who draw upon a variety of photographic technologies in their practice, and investigate the language of photography and how it informs fine art photographic image making. The course provides you with opportunities to respond to lectures and explore ways of processing and articulating your own ideas with traditional and experimental photographic techniques. Class activities aim to engage you in applying photographic discourse to your contemporary art practice.

In this hands-on course you will explore the possibilities offered by the artist book for the presentation of visual information and ideas. A broad range of book binding methods will be covered in this course, incorporating both sewn and non-sewn book binding methods, from simple folding techniques to more formal case bound books. Lecturers, peer-to-peer tutorials and one-on-one feedback from your lecturer will encourage you to think laterally about what a book might be and how a narrative might be constructed from a range of mediums, in order to extend your art practice.

Please note: This course is planning to run as a blended learning delivery mode of both online and face to face access and subject to approval and confirmation. Face to face contact time would be organised as a rotational timetable system to adhere to social distancing and safe working practices. We are anticipating being able to confirm the plans and to provide more specific details at the end of June. Details on class scheduling for on-campus activities would be provided in Canvas.

*If your situation prevents you from returning to campus in semester 2, you may continue to remain learning online though some courses are better suited than others. Please contact the Course Coordinator if this is your preference to seek advice.

In this course you will explore and experiment with the physical properties of materials and develop fundamental skills in the making of objects through ceramic methods. You will also address conceptual and technical concerns related to the making of objects. This course will also help you to understand the relationships between idea, concept, form and material as you begin to develop an individual approach to your art practice.

In this elective course you will learn skills and competency in drawing the figure and space. You will explore the methods, materials, and concepts concerning drawing from life. These range across the application of appropriate materials in a range of drawing modes and studio settings; perspective and non-­perspective approaches to visual representation; proportion, form, weight and volume; figure/ground relationships; positive/negative space; use of props and backdrops; details of head, feet, hands; depiction of movement; serial and sequential works. Your learning will include drawing from life and space modules, self-portraiture and self-directed modules, and include group discussions and demonstrations.

Through practical workshops this course introduces and explores a range of processes and techniques of lithography as a medium for drawing. Line and wash techniques will be developed over a series of projects. This elective provides an introduction to lithographic skills processes, such as, preparing a stone, drawing on a stone, processing the stone with adding and subtracting to your image as well as providing ongoing students with an opportunity to extend existing skills. You will gain an understanding of safe handling of materials and processes within the lithography studio, and how to apply these to the visual expression of conceptual principles.

Please note: This course is planning to run as a blended learning delivery mode of both online and face to face access and subject to approval and confirmation. Face to face contact time would be organised as a rotational timetable system to adhere to social distancing and safe working practices. We are anticipating being able to confirm the plans and to provide more specific details at the end of June. Details on class scheduling for on-campus activities would be provided in Canvas.

*If your situation prevents you from returning to campus in semester 2, you may continue to remain learning online though some courses are better suited than others. Please contact the Course Coordinator if this is your preference to seek advice.

This elective will give you an elementary understanding of the concepts and materials and contexts used in the production of paintings. You will be encouraged to experiment with and respond to materials; develop an awareness of visual perception and intuitive sensibilities; and see painting as a self-reflexive ongoing practice, which may link to your major area of study.
You will extend your knowledge regarding Painting through experimentation with different painting supports; preparation of grounds; various painting media; colour mixing; colour theory; compositional and spatial considerations. Studio based learning via projects and instruction sessions where you will be producing paintings, drawings and collages. There will be individual consultations with the lecturer involving feedback and appraisal on exercises and self-directed projects where appropriate.
Advanced projects are negotiated with students with a greater experience in the subject. The course is supported by individual visual research, including the production of a visual diary. Group tutorials, critiques, demonstrations, student presentations and gallery visits. Methods of Production, Health and Safety will be experienced.

The course approaches the medium of photography firstly as a unique approach to human communication, secondly as an art form, and thirdly as a medium that requires the acquisition of a unique set of technical skills. In studying this course you will be shown how photography has developed throughout its history. We will discuss how our growing understanding of the principles of human perception and communication has influenced photography. You will be introduced to basic principles of the camera and you will also be provided with techniques for responding to the content and structure of photographs.In this course you will experiment with image design and creation to communicate specific messages to target audiences.This course will provide you with the opportunity to examine and establish professional image capture workflows using a DSLR and/or interchangeable lens camera. You will develop skills in how to control image formation and the resulting visual communication using semi-automatic and manual exposure controls to capture a broad range of subject matter with control and accuracy.

This course introduces the practice of art in public spaces. You will explore a range of works created outside the gallery or domestic environment including street installation, public painting and sculpture, light works, performative or relational works, virtual projects and art integrated within landscape and the built environment. You will review and critique the role of these works in contributing to ideas of public space. Your investigation and reflections will inform how your work will develop and move into public spaces and inform the development of your projects about and for public space.

Please note: This course is planning to run as a blended learning delivery mode of both online and face to face access and subject to approval and confirmation. Face to face contact time would be organised as a rotational timetable system to adhere to social distancing and safe working practices. We are anticipating being able to confirm the plans and to provide more specific details at the end of June. Details on class scheduling for on-campus activities would be provided in Canvas.

*If your situation prevents you from returning to campus in semester 2, you may continue to remain learning online though some courses are better suited than others. Please contact the Course Coordinator if this is your preference to seek advice.

This course is designed to introduce students to the traditions of sculpture within the framework of current art practice and to develop sculptural values and competence in the use of materials and techniques. In this course you will develop a greater understanding of sculptural concepts and materials through the establishment and/or further investigation of a personal art practice based in object making. Students will be introduced to a range of skills including modelling, construction and assemblage using simple sculptural materials through online teaching.

This course will introduce you to the use of the recording studio as a creative tool. You will be presented with an overview of the history, philosophy and techniques in utilizing the recording studio for creative outcomes. Using listening examples, you will learn how to objectively analyse and dissect pieces of music to reveal the techniques and approaches used in producing a wide range of audio material. This will be reinforced by practical examination of a variety of these techniques through using the recording studio. In your work for this course you will be expected to use the skills and information you garner in this course to develop and experiment with your own production style and approach.

This course allows students to explore the rich possibilities offered by print processes as a foundation for conceptual investigations in art. Practical demonstrations will introduce you to the inherent properties in printmaking processes that encourage an innovative and responsive approach to art practice, with a focus on relief (lino and wood block) and intaglio (etching), with digital image manipulation. The course is also designed to motivate and involve students in analytical thinking about visual perceptions, through processes of reproduction. A set of related projects will address the notion of process driven art making, materials and methods of production, the role of presentation, and health and safety issues within the print studio.

Please note: This course is planning to run as a blended learning delivery mode of both online and face to face access and subject to approval and confirmation. Face to face contact time would be organised as a rotational timetable system to adhere to social distancing and safe working practices. We are anticipating being able to confirm the plans and to provide more specific details at the end of June. Details on class scheduling for on-campus activities would be provided in Canvas.

*If your situation prevents you from returning to campus in semester 2, you may continue to remain learning online though some courses are better suited than others. Please contact the Course Coordinator if this is your preference to seek advice.

In this course you will examine technical, historical and theoretical aspects of video art practice. The course encourages you to develop a critical dialogue between your practice and the history of video art, as they relate to installation and screening-based modes of exhibition. Through a series of exercises and a program of integrated screenings, class discussions and gallery visits, the practical demands of video production will be contextualised. You will develop skills of video technology and production, including cameras, lighting editing and processing. The material covered reflects a breadth of moving image production and draws upon examples from cinema, television, video art and examples of video technology in the home, work and public arena.

In this course, you will explore and experience a range of materials and processes using digital manufacturing techniques and CAD modelling software to build jewellery and objects. You will develop conceptual, perceptual, formal and aesthetic strategies for the integration of digital manufactured objects into the building of 3 dimensional forms. Digital manufacturing processes covered will include object printing and will use a variety of outsourced and in-house printing, which will include Form labs printing. CAD modelling will focus on learning basic to advanced Rhino software.

Please note: This course will be run online however students may need to access the campus to drop off finished works.