F405i Special Projects: Social Engagement & Collaborations: Building Your Project’s Road Map

How does one approach a site-specific project?
Where does it take place? — In physical and/or virtual spaces?
Who are your collaborators, even when working “alone”?
How does a project start as a collaboration, or become one?
What are the delimitations between protest art and art activism?

Throughout the development of a project — during conversations, research and implementation — one needs to make decisions and often adapt them along the way. This is especially true when unforeseen circumstances, such as site-specific issues, local/global social and political issues, public reception or refusal, and even a pandemic may interfere with original ideas and plans.

In this course, we will review the specifics of locality, written and unspoken rules, subject matter, activation of public space, tools, realization, dealing with obstacles and gifts, presentation and documentation. In particular, we will examine these when an artist approaches a project that includes social & political issues and interactions.

Every participant in this course will be a creator and an interactor. By examining each others’ projects and looking at their implications, we will build on concepts to further interact with viewers and/or participants. At times we will work collaboratively and develop new ways of working.

All new sessions will post on Saturdays. This course will include three live sessions, including the first meeting. Live sessions will meet on Saturdays – March 6, March 20 & April 3 from 2-3.30p EST (US).