2021/22 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

DESN3139 New Materialism Studio: Theory Meets Practice

20 creditsClass Size: 20

Module manager: Dr Christine Atha
Email: c.o.atha@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2021/22

This module is not approved as a discovery module

Module summary

In current art, craft and design practice new approaches to science, materials and technology are taking a leading role. Material matters, and matter is material. Artist and designers have always experimented with different forms of materiality, making and meaning. Now this is informed by a new set of concepts that take in digital crafting, the dematerialization of the object, re-aestheticization of materials, digital manufacture and the material sciences. What role do new materials, processes and techniques play in the day-to-day practices of this generation of STEAM artists, craft workers and designers?

Objectives

The objectives of this module are to:

- introduce relevant historical, conceptual, critical and methodological tools for the analysis and discussion of New Materialism processes, techniques and object outcomes in art, craft and design practices

- provide an historical and theoretical overview of the cultures of materiality and production in art, craft and design production

- present a broad survey of material practices that extend notions of New Materialism into art, craft and design production

- present examples of relationships between New Materialism and innovations in the scientific and technological properties of materials

Learning outcomes
1. understand the interface of art, craft and design to methods and materials in the framework of New Materialism

2. understand and interpret the concepts of New Materialism within the cultural, historical and contemporary practice contexts of art, craft and design

3. produce work/s based on materials research that demonstrate an interpretation in material form of any aspect of New Materialism.

Skills outcomes
This module emphasises the use of creative problem solving, and critical thinking in relation to understanding processes, techniques, methods of art, craft and design practices.

Research skills and independent working are essential in the exploration of new methods with materials, new approaches in materials science, new innovations in materials science, and the corresponding changes to the nature of art and design practice.
Students will be flexible in their approaches to thinking about and making with materials.

Syllabus

The module builds on and develops aspects of New Materialism covered in DESN2139, although it is not a required prerequisite.

This module concentrates on the exploration of materials, fabrication techniques, new production methodologies and processes that are associated with New Materialism and current art, craft and design practices. This approach to making encompasses working directly with a range of materials, fabrication methods, and experimenting with art, craft and design processes and practices. The role of materials will be addressed directly through making, experimentation and iterative techniques in relationship to new art, design and craft practices and to New Materialism ideas and ways of working. The implications of New Materialism for art and design practices, the role of artists and designers in society, the possible new forms of practice that may emerge in the 21st century will also be considered.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Practicals	4	2.00	8.00
Lecture	7	1.00	7.00
Seminar	2	2.00	4.00
Tutorial	4	0.50	2.00
Independent online learning hours			89.00
Private study hours			90.00
Total Contact hours			21.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			200.00

Private study

Independent online learning is facilitated by a website resources and readings, which allows students to explore in more detail topics covered in the workshops and gain familiarity with key concepts and ideas.

Private study includes: extending technical reading, experimentation and preparation of project document and work/s.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Student progress is monitored through registers at workshops and through participation in workshops and seminars. Students are also offered the opportunity for one to one feedback during office hours. Individual tutorials will be given in week five and six in small group seminars.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Portfolio	A portfolio of test and workshop results, material and object experiments, a project document of 1000-1250 words and final project outcome is presented for assessment.	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 30/06/2021 16:21:15

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