Advanced Practice module (DJ52016)

This module explores a range of contemporary global practices in a variety of media, including painting, sculpture, video, conceptual art, performance art, site-specific work and (interactive) digital practices.

Adopting a postmodern and post-disciplinary approach to what it means to make art in the 21st century, the module interrogates the formal, thematic, ecological, and societal aspects of American, Asian, European, and Indigenous art.

Through focused seminars with artists and theorists from a range of schools of thought and practice, you will be encouraged to adopt the position of an artist-scholar.

What you will learn

In this module, you will:

• engage in conceptually sophisticated practice-led research, critically reflect on practice, and create a body of theoretically informed work
• develop a programme of research with clear research objectives and critically informed artistic research contexts

By the end of this module, you will be able to:

• demonstrate further development of working methods, both technical and conceptual
• apply relevant methods for conducting research through practice
• use reflective methods throughout the definition of your research and its application in practice
• demonstrate consideration of suitability of methods to achieve the highest level of practice
• lead and engage in discussions and demonstrate confidence in articulating a critical position
• develop interpersonal and presentation skills, as well as organisational and time management skills

Assignments / assessment

• formative assignments
  • regular in-class presentations based on self-directed work
  • open-studio critiques (work-in-progress showings)
  • feedback is offered at the halfway point of the module
• coursework (100%)
  • includes a presentation and a documentation

This module does not have a final exam.

Teaching methods / timetable

• fortnightly individual tutorials
  • with the module leader and specialised staff
• two open-studio critiques
• weekly lectures on key theories
• weekly student-led seminars
• small group activities and workshops
• artist talks from invited speakers
• subject specific technical advice from workshop staff
• self-directed independent study
  • you will be required to document the development of your practice-led research, engage in debates, and critically evaluate your own and others’ practice

A study trip abroad (e.g. Berlin, Rome, Vienna) to galleries, museums, installations, and festivals will be offered (and self-funded). This is optional and will be open to students across MFA programmes .