Water: Text and Images, an Artful Relationship

Water: Text and Images, an Artful Relationship

Professor Judith K. Brodsky
Founding Director, Brodsky Center for Innovative Editions/ MGSA and Director, Institute for Women and Art
Jbrodsky3@aol.com732/ 932- 2222, ext. 838

Dr. Ferris OlinDirector, Institute for Women and Art
olin@rci.rutgers/edu732/ 932-3726, ext. 13

Seminar Description: Using the work of artists and writers whose focus is “water,” we will look at how images and words work together to convey information, both practical and imaginative,  How does an image of “water” change when you read text alongside the image? How does the meaning of the word, “water,” change as a result of being paired with an image? We will look at illustrations of children’s books, works by artists and poets who employ texts in their images or whose words form images, and at films about water. Professors Olin and Brodsky will host guest lectures and there will be a class visit to the Zimmerli Art Museum to look at the exhibition on water. Students will create their own projects incorporating words and images on the theme of “water.” This is an interdisciplinary seminar requiring no previous art or writing experience. Students from all disciplines are encouraged to apply.

Requirements: 100% attendance is expected at all five classes. Your grade will be based on 1) your class participation and 2) your final project  which will include an in-class oral presentation of 5-7 minutes about your project.

Class meetings:  Tuesdays:  September 7, 14, 21, 28 and October 12, 2010 from 2:50- 5:30 pm. All classes will be held in the Civic Square Building (Mason Gross School of the Arts), room 110/117; unless otherwise indicated.

Final Project (due October 11):  Each student group will prepare a 20-image power point presentation (to be given at the final class meeting on October 12; but sent to Professor Brodsky no later than noon on October 11). The presentation must tell a cohesive story that can be historical, ecological, scientific, or imaginative in genres such as a graphic novel, poem with illustration, short story with illustration, or theatrical presentation.  It can be in the form of photographs with words, animated or live action video.  It must include images of water and relate to the NJ body of water you will select by the second class meeting. The list includes:

• Raritan River
• Delaware River
• Delaware-Raritan Canal
• NJ shore- Atlantic Ocean
• Delaware Water Gap
• Lake Hopatcong
• Raritan Bay
• Navesink River
• Hudson River
• Reservoirs
• Other- to be determined and approved by faculty

Class Schedule:

September 7: Introductions, overview of course and topic, and formation of working groups. Assignment for next class: Go to library, activate library card, and do the research necessary for selecting the waterway you will use for the final project. Select your waterway and develop your plan for the final project.  Plan to describe progress orally at next class.

September 21: Meet in the lobby of the Zimmerli Art Museum promptly by 2:50 (ZAM). Presentation by Marilyn Symmes , Director of Morse Research Center for Graphic Arts, ZAM and tour of current exhibit, Water (a broad survey of the subject of water across historical time and geographical space and drawn from the Zimmerli’s 60,000 object collection.)  Assignment for next class:  Read the assigned text and be prepared to discuss Michael Rockland’s film in the context of the reading.

September 28: Guest lecture: Professor Michael Rockland, American Studies Department and screening of Three Days on Big City Waters.

Assignment for next class: By October 11, noon, send your final project power point to Judith Brodsky. She will combine them all for class presentations the next day.

October 5:  No class meeting

October 11 (noon):  All final project power point presentations must be received by Judith Brodsky by noon. Send to jbrodsky3@aol.com

October 12: Final class project presentations. Each student team will have 7 minutes  to present its work.

The Institute for Women and Art welcomes all visitors with disabilities. Please contact the IWA for further details and information regarding accommodation of specific needs at: womenart.rutgers.edu or 732-932-3726.