LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon completion of the course the students are able to:
- Create new materials based on creative ideas and various methods and preparation techniques (e.g. sustainable materials, advanced technology, science based raw materials, etc.).
- Make use of special materials and techniques as tools for new artistic ideas in costume design.
- Develop new aesthetics and perspectives to costume design inspired by special and/or sustainable materials and innovative techniques.
- Expand their artistic and research-oriented thinking through materiality.
Credits: 6
Schedule: 23.09.2024 - 11.10.2024
Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):
Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Sofia Pantouvaki, Susanna Suurla
Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):
Course teacher: Ingvill Fossheim: ingvill.fossheim@aalto.fi
Responsible teacher: Susanna Suurla: susanna.suurla@aalto.fi
CEFR level (valid for whole curriculum period):
Language of instruction and studies (applies in this implementation):
Teaching language: English. Languages of study attainment: English
CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD
Content
valid for whole curriculum period:
The course enhances the exploration and creation of new materials through artistic processing methods, creative manufacturing technologies, sustainable and innovative raw materials. Students do tests, observe and reflect on how special materials and techniques open new perspectives in costume design. At the end of the course the students build an exhibition and/or present a portfolio and essay.
applies in this implementation
The study methods include lectures, visits, guided and independent laboratory and workshop work, reading circles, presentations, reflective writing. Full attendance and active participation are necessary.What might a more sustainable costume design practice look like?
In response to the current environmental crisis, costume designers globally are shifting their professional perspective towards more sustainable practices of costume design and production. This includes the rejection of costume materials derived from petrochemicals in favor of exploring biobased materials that are more likely to exist within the carrying capacity of local ecosystems and of our planet.
This course will introduce the students to some of the diverse ways in which costume designers and other artists address sustainability through their artistic practice and thinking, through lectures, visits, and reading materials. The focus will be on biobased materials and artists’ engagement with tools and protocols from life sciences.
The practical emphasis of this course is on hands-on biobased material exploration and development, familiarizing the students with some of the current material research and resources at Aalto University. The students will work in the multidisciplinary environments of Biofilia - Base for Biological Arts, the GrowLab, Aalto Studios’ FabLab and Costume Workshops, with the support of the workshop masters. The students will explore protocols for developing potential costume materials in the laboratories and create reference samples for own portfolios. Each student will develop a speculative costume design project relevant for their own costume design practice. Open-ended explorations and local biobased materials are encouraged, as is 1:1 scale prototyping with the human body. The students’ design projects will be shared with the public through a collective exhibition at Väre.
Within the framework of the course students may opt to develop their speculative design proposal individually, in groups, or in a combination of the two. Throughout this intensive course we will have regular check-ins as a group for collective sharing and learning.
Assessment Methods and Criteria
valid for whole curriculum period:
Students' development during the course, motivation, attendance and active participation in discussions, independent work and completion of assignments.
applies in this implementation
Materials required for evaluation consist of:
Artistic work
Portfolio of material samples, with protocols
Speculative costume design proposal
Exhibition presentation of design proposal
Learning journal containing
Documentation/notes from lectures, visits, readings, laboratory and workshop work, with evidence of daily practice reflections
A mini-essay (500 - 1000 words) combining theory and reflection from reading assignments, lectures, site visits and from own practice during the workshop. The mini-essays will be presented as part of the exhibition.
Complete learning journal due 9:00 Friday 11.10
Final presentation in exhibition 9:30 Friday 11.10
Workload
valid for whole curriculum period:
Contact teaching 65 hours, independent work 97 hours of total workload.
Attending the first day of the course is required.
At least 80% participation in contact teaching is mandatory to complete the course. If, due to absences, the student does not achieve the learning outcomes defined in the course description, the remaining 20% may have to be compensated as determined by the responsible teachers of the course. All absences must be reported to the teachers in charge. The responsible teachers of the course will specify the necessary compensating assignments.
applies in this implementation
DETAILS
Study Material
valid for whole curriculum period:
Specific literature will be informed during the course.
Substitutes for Courses
valid for whole curriculum period:
Prerequisites
valid for whole curriculum period:
SDG: Sustainable Development Goals
4 Quality Education
5 Gender Equality
6 Clean Water and Sanitation
9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
10 Reduced Inequality
11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
12 Responsible Production and Consumption
13 Climate Action
15 Life on Land
FURTHER INFORMATION
Further Information
valid for whole curriculum period:
Teaching Language: English
Teaching Period: 2024-2025 Autumn I
2025-2026 No teachingRegistration:
Registration for courses Sisu. Priority order to courses is according to the order of priority decided by the Academic committee for School of Arts, Design and Architecture, https//www.aalto.fi/en/services/registering-to-courses-and-the-order-of-priority-at-aalto-arts Maximum number of students 12, minimum 2.
applies in this implementation
LEARNING OUTCOMES (applies to this implementation)
Upon completion of the course students:
Are familiar with current discourses on sustainability in costume design and movements of more sustainable design approaches more broadly, including ethical underpinnings and implications.
Have formed an understanding of foundational material research and development with biobased materials
Are able to apply and approach this intersection of art and science creatively through material-led explorations relevant for their specific costume design practice (in performance, film, tv, games etc).
Are able to critically assess and reflect on their own costume design practice in relation to the above.
Details on the schedule
applies in this implementation