We’re living through a global crisis which is changing the way we think, feel and act, and is actively modulating the way that we develop affinities for and relate to each other. There is no way to duplicate the privileged setting of a classroom filled with engaged bodies that respond to gestures, tics, idiosyncratic embodiments and minutiae that can never be captured in a screen-based setting. We have come to realize over these past few months how vital a multi-sensorial context is to a deep learning experience. My intention therefore with this class is not to attempt to replicate what cannot be replicated, but to imagine alternatives, to experiment with modes of interacting with each other and the material by taking the technological limitations and opportunities available to us to engender a different but equally intense engagement with each other and the broader scope of what it means to be a video artist today.
In the Classroom
Classes will take place exclusively on campus this term, in Goldfarb (CFA) 330. Your presence is expected for the full 4-hours of the class. Your engagement is key to generating rich and insightful conversations. We will be discussing key ideas (through articles or prompts), watching videos and experiments, brainstorming projects and watching your weekly exercises.
Video Watching, Article Reading
Each week, you will be assigned a different type of activity in parallel to the EXERCISES (below). Your perspectives acquired as a result of these experiences will contribute to the weekly class discussion. At times, you will watch a few video works (uploaded to the appropriate WEEK folder in the Google Drive). Questions will usually accompany these viewings, that you are expected to honestly grapple with.
Occasionally, you’ll be assigned an article to read pertaining to a theme which will be discussed in class.
Weekly exercises
Each week you will also complete a modest video exercise, tuned to the theme we’re currently working on.
Written responses
Once in a while, you will be asked to respond in a short (200-400) word text to a video work that you have been assigned, or a question appropriate to the topic at hand. These responses will also form the basis of breakout group and full group discussions.
Three Major Projects
While working on the exercises you will also be working on three more intensive projects, that we will look at on Weeks 4, 8 and Week 12 (final class).
First Project: 3-HOUR STREAM
Second Project: DISORIENTATION IN TWO TIMES
Third Project: INTERVENTION
Intra-student engagement
You will also periodically look at and comment on the work of one of your classmates (preassigned), without the instructor present. This is a way of working through the difficulties of developing solidarities and group feelings in a setting which can be quite alienating.
One-on-one
Near the end of the term, I will Zoom with each one of you individually to check up on your in-progress projects, address questions and concerns, and assess your well-being! At any point during the term, if you feel overwhelmed and want to talk about problematic areas in a project, or general confusion, or… a Zoom session can be set up at the discretion of both parties. I am also extremely responsive via email.
Technological Requirements
For this course, you need a method to capture images. A smartphone can do everything we need to do for this class, but if you have a digital video camera you can of course use it. (Certain exercises are more attuned to the dimensions and weight of the smartphone, however, so you should always have it on hand.)
The second requirement is a tablet or laptop on which you can manipulate video. You don’t need a super sophisticated system. For macs, iMovie will do the trick. For Windows, MovieMaker is sufficient. We will be getting into more intensive editing only in the last third of the class. Of course, if you do have access to Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premiere, you’re welcome to use it!
Grades
First project (STREAM): 20%
Second project (DISORIENTATION): 25%
Third project (INTERVENTION): 25%
Exercises: 20%
Engagement: 10%