Syllabus

LEARNING OUTCOMES

1 utilize techniques, tools and materials, working methods and theoretical concepts that support their artistic practice
2 practice their critical understanding of the diverse functions and specific characteristics of the photographic medium
3 position and contextualize their own work and practice and operate equally, sustainably and insightfully in their professional fields of contemporary photography, visual arts, media and culture and as active citizens in the society
4 produce and present exhibition and/or publication plans

Credits: 9

Schedule: 28.02.2024 - 29.05.2024

Teacher in charge (valid for whole curriculum period):

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Heli Rekula, Hanna Timonen

Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):

Heli Rekula / heli.rekula@aalto.fi

Hanna Timonen / hanna.e.timonen@aalto.fi

Maija Savolainen / maija.a.savolainen@aalto.fi

Markus Ahonen / markus.ahonen@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: Finnish, Swedish, English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  The course focuses on contemporary photographic practices and current discussions in the field with critical approach. The emphasis is in students' artistic practice.

• applies in this implementation

  On Circulation 

  
  

  The course calls forth discussions about sustainable art production and the future of photographic worldmaking through a focus on materiality and immateriality of photographic art, the use of archives, as well as the ephemeral, performative and practical aspects of photography.  

   The course draws from the topics of sustainability, circulation and a future tense of photography. Circulation is used in the sense of using pre-used materials and sustainable methods, but also in the way ideas can be circulated, referred to each other and existing archives, as well as how photographs, seemingly immaterial, circulate online. How to put leftovers in use and how to use circulation and recycling as themes, sources, materials, and methods. Is sustainable art production possible? What are the futures of photography? As a guiding prompt of the course is the open question What if, which is meant as an encouragement for new ways of thinking photography. The students can interpret this premise freely as something that helps them to develop their own project on the course and beyond. 

  The course aims to inspire experimental ways of making and thinking, to emphasize process and production as a tool and to grow understanding about the actuality of an art object. We will dig into our own archives, work with materials, plans and ideas left aside or disregarded for one reason or another. We will circulate ideas and concepts, we use found, collected and borrowed materials and take this as our method and practice. What might be excess to others may turn out to be your treasure. 

  Wednesdays are reserved for lectures, visits and reflections of the students’ work in progress. Fridays concentrate on workshopping and hands-on development of students’ individual works. In the first part of the course, during period IV, our focus is on experimental digital printing. Together with teacher Markus Ahonen, we can experiment with inkjet printing on any material and technique: painting or printmaking, paper, fabric, wood, metal or even a slice of toast. In period V the emphasis of the workshops is on analogue methods, and we explore cyanotypes, experimental darkroom techniques and anthotypes.  

  
  

Assessment Methods and Criteria

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  Participation in teaching, completed assignments.

  Minimum 80% attendance.

  See MyCourses for more detailed information on evaluations methods and criteria.

Workload

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  9 ECTS ≈ 243h

  Lectures 35
  Groupwork 35
  Workshop and practice-based work 78
  Independent reading and writing 35
  Reflection and thinking 60

  Lectures and artist talks, site visits, discussions, practice-based work, peer feedback, reading, writing.

DETAILS

Substitutes for Courses

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  Substitutes for Courses

Prerequisites

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  Prerequisites

FURTHER INFORMATION

Further Information

• valid for whole curriculum period:

  Teaching Language : English

  Teaching Period : 2022-2023 No teaching
  2023-2024 Spring IV - V

  Enrollment :

  Photography major students only.

  Minimum amount of participants: 8
  Maximum amount of participants varies according to the implementation of the course.

  Registration for Courses: Sisu.

Details on the schedule

• applies in this implementation

  TBA soon

Description