Week 1: TOUCH

The first word is TOUCH--let's see where it takes you... painting, drawing, object--something made with that quality...

and the poem I read you, from ancient China, translated by Ezra Pound:

In the South be drooping trees,
Long the bough, thick the vine,
Take thy delight,
my prince, in happy ease.

In the South be drooping boughs,
the wild vine covers,
that hold delight, delight, good sir,
for  eager lovers.

Close as the vine clamps the trees
so complete is happiness,
Good sir, delight delight, in ease
In the South be drooping trees.

from The Confucuian Odes, Book I: IV, Chou and the South,
translated by Ezra Pound (New York: New Directions,1954)

Course Description

 

 

 

Visual Studies Graduate Seminar: "Beginnings"
Fall Semester 2014
Tuesdays 6-9:30pm, Room 170 Wurster
Anthony Dubovsky

This is a class about imagination and ideas. A road trip, perhaps—or a voyage. We begin each week with a theme—often a single word---as point of departure. Each person in the group does a project in response—a drawing, a painting, a collage—the medium is open. In the following class we look at the work, and a conversation ensues. And then, a new word.

Note that the hand is important throughout--how the sense of touch becomes a guide.
 
Following this format, the class develops a certain rhythm--a kind of opening. Not just in terms of skill (although skill can play a part), but more in finding the right visual language to give form to one’s feelings about and understanding of the surrounding world. A challenge that carries over into any of the design fields—and beyond…. 
 
Important: Since discussion is central to each class, students need to be fully confident in spoken English—both comprehension and conversation.
 
Required: One project each week, made with energy and commitment... Attendance at all class meetings, and a well-crafted book with reproductions of your work, including a short essay about your journey, due at the end of the term. Open to grad students and some seniors from all departments, but limited in enrollment to 12 students.  This can be a good place to explore your initial thesis ideas.
 
If you're interested, send Anthony Dubovsky an e-mail with a paragraph or two about yourself and your backgound in the arts, along with 2-3 jpegs of your work. Make sure your name is on each jpeg. Send before January 15 to the following email address: chambersstreet[at]hotmail.com. Earlier applications will receive priority.

Painting: Anthony Dubovsky, Delta Mist, acrylic on cardboard, 2012