THE ARTS IN NEW YORK CITY
Instructor: Dara Meyers-Kingsley
Fall Semester 2010 code # 4804; section 06
Course meeting: Tuesdays 10:10 a.m. – 12:40 p.m.
Hunter North room 1516
Office hours by appointment
Instructor email: dmeyersk@hunter.cuny.edu
Instructional Technology Fellow (ITF):
Karen Gregory (Karen.gregory@macaulay.cuny.edu)
Click here to download a printable syllabus.
NOTE: Mandatory: CHECK THE COURSE BLOG EVERY DAY OR SO FOR CHANGES TO THE SYLLABUS AND FOR NEW ASSIGNMENTS.
I will communicate with the class through the blog.
SYLLABUS
Course Description
Seminar 1 explores the diverse arts in New York City. During the semester students attend performance and exhibits of the current cultural season. In addition to the four genres (opera, dance, theater and the visual arts) covered in all sections of the seminar, faculty chooses from a variety of textual, photographic, musical and performance genres. Students tackle such questions as: What does each genre offer? How does each speak to us? How does art create, serve, and represent the people of the city and its diverse communities?
Aesthetic appreciation is supported by social and historical investigations so that students are provided with opportunities for different kinds of engagement with art forms, including interpretation, analysis and creative endeavors. The culminating event of the Seminar, Snapshot NYC, is an ongoing accumulation of photographs of student views of New York City.
In this course we will examine the notion of art as experience versus art as object; taking a look at the ways that art affects us as spectators both physically and psychologically; and how art can have a transformative effect on our lives.
Critical to this course is the ability of the students to be open to experience; to have an open mind. Assignments will dictate that students keep photographic and written diaries finding and documenting art in the world around them. While the course will emphasize the visual and performing arts, by the conclusion of the course, students will be sensitized to the fact that we live in a world filled with art that takes many forms both permanent and ephemeral and that new definitions of what constitutes art may be realized.
The appreciation and understanding of art that should result from this course will make students more comfortable consumers of art. There should also be an understanding that students could –someday– find satisfying jobs in the arts or become patrons of the arts wherever they live and work.
Course Objectives and Requirements
As you will see from the syllabus, a lot of class time will be spent out of the classroom, experiencing artwork in and around the city—both as a class and individually. This will create a more interactive learning environment, rather than a series of lectures. That means that students must be prepared to discuss the art experiences, assignments, readings and reactions to them, and must be able to work on assignments and projects outside of the classroom.
This course requires students’ continuous engagement in diverse activities: conversations about assigned readings, discussions of issue raised by performances, art shows or public spaces visited. Students need to be prepared to share their views and ideas to the class in oral and written form, bringing out their diverse explorations of a multi-faceted city.
Attendance
Regular attendance is absolutely mandatory. Since this course combines experiential learning, research, and discussion, attendance is a critical factor. Attendance is expected at every class session and at all events scheduled outside the classroom. Any absence from class or an assigned evening performance/common event will seriously affect your grade.
Attendance, Tardiness
- If you are 15 minutes late to class; you are marked LATE. Two lateness marks equal one absence. Absences affect your grade.
- NO late papers or assignments will be accepted.
Assignments Overview
(Full Assignment descriptions can be found on the class e-portfolio.)
- Maintain e-portfolio journal site *
- Weekly online posting to course blog *
- Short reading and writing assignments
- Oral presentation in class on student e-portfolio site (November 9)
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- Attend 3 Common Events As assigned by Instructor offered by Macaulay (indicated in syllabus) including first Theater Day, August 25 , October 6 lecture with artist David Ellis, and December 12, SNAPSHOT Day 2010.
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- FINAL GROUP PRESENTATIONS: In-class ( December 7 and December 14).
* E-portfolio Journal site
Set up your own personal Journal on your e-portfolio.
This is the place to put all the photographs, notes, audio and video recordings that you capture over the course of this semester. I expect you to photograph and otherwise document your observations and write up descriptions of artwork discovered in your daily life as well as during class time or for specific assignments. Make sure to include: Name of artist, title of work, date of work, materials/medium, location of artwork, duration/running time, and genre.
(This is also for performances.)
* Course blog
Each week share one of your discoveries from outside class time and post it on the course blog. This posting is DUE Monday morning on the day before class.
You can reflect on something you put into your journal that you re-present to the class on the blog.
2) Extra Credit
Student may attend an additional Common Event offered by Macaulay (indicated in syllabus as optional) or other outside museum visit/performance with Instructor approval. Other extra credit written assignments can be found on class e-portfolio.
Grading
For Grading – everything counts. Your grade will be based on the following:
- Attendance (for class, Common Events and evening performances)
- Class participation
- Weekly course blog
- E-portfolio
- Written Assignments; and
- Final Group Project
Academic Integrity
“Hunter College regards acts of academic dishonesty (e.g., plagiarism, cheating on examinations, obtaining unfair advantage, and falsification of records and official documents) as serious offenses against the values of intellectual honesty. The College is committed to enforcing the CUNY Policy on Academic Integrity and will pursue cases of academic dishonesty according to the Hunter College Academic Integrity Procedures.”
Assigned Readings
Art en Route (MTA Arts for Transit) (PDF)
Freud, Sigmund, “The Uncanny” (PDF)
Hoffman, E.T.A., “The Sandman” (PDF)
Kimmelman, Michael. “The Art of Collecting Lightbulbs” and “The Art of the Pilgrimage” in The Accidental Materpiece on the Art of Life and Vice Versa
New York: Penguin Books, 2005.
Kimmelman, Michael. “The Art of the Pilgrimage” in The Accidental Materpiece on the Art of Life and Vice Versa, New York: Penguin Books, 2005.
Selected poems from Poems of New York edited by Elizabeth Schmidt
Additional materials listed in syllabus will be distributed in the course of the semester either on e-portfolio or in class. These include specific articles and background materials on outside performances.
Other suggested reading: New York Times Arts section (daily) will be posted on the class e-portfolio.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Note: The course schedule that follows may be revised as the course progresses.
CHECK THE COURSE BLOG EVERY DAY OR SO FOR CHANGES TO THE SYLLABUS AND FOR NEW ASSIGNMENTS. I will communicate with the class through the blog.
CHANGES WILL BE MADE TO THE CLASS CALENDAR ON THE SITE.
ALL ASSIGNMENTS ARE DUE ON THE DAY THEY ARE LISTED (except August 31)
Unless otherwise noted class meets in CLASSROOM: Hunter North #1516
WEDNESDAY, August 25 MANDATORY
COMMON EVENT: THEATER DAY
Israel Horovitz playsThe Indian Wants the Bronx, What Strong Fences Make, and Beirut Rocks
LOCATION: the Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College
CLASS 1
AUGUST 31– ARTS OF NEW YORK – DEFINING THE COURSE
Introduction to course; course description and objectives.
ASSIGNMENT FOR NEXT CLASS:
Go to the Guggenheim Museum. View the “Haunted” exhibition–closes September 6th (specific assignment handed out in class.)
READING: Kimmelman, Michael “The Art of Collecting Lightbulbs” Pg. 93-109 in The Accidental Materpiece on the Art of Life and Vice Versa, New York: Penguin Books, 2005. (PDF)
CLASS 2
SEPTEMBER 7 – MAKING MEMORY: BUILING COLLECTIONS
Discuss “Haunted” Exhibition and Guggenheim building; concept of collecting.
AND
BRING YOUR LAPTOPS TO CLASS
ITF KAREN GREGORY will come in to talk to class about technology for class.
ASSIGNMENT DUE:
Go to the Guggenheim Museum. View the “Haunted” exhibition–closes September 6th (specific assignment handed out in class.)
READING:
Kimmelman, Michael “The Art of Collecting Lightbulbs” Pg. 93-109
in The Accidental Materpiece on the Art of Life and Vice Versa, New York: Penguin Books, 2005.
CLASS 3
SEPTEMBER 14 – NO CLASS
Tuesday, September 14 OPTIONAL
6:30-8:30 PM
Location: MACAULAY LECTURE HALL
35 WEST 67 STREET
COMMON EVENT
HOWARD GREENBERG, Photography dealer
CLASS 4
SEPTEMBER 21 – MAKING THE CITY MEMORABLE:
CITY AS SITE
Location: MEET AT THE MACAULAY SCREENING ROOM
35 WEST 67 STREET
Watch: “Man on Wire” (2008) and excerpts from “The Gates” (2005).
WRITING ASSIGNMENT DUE:
Visit: “South African Projections: Films by William Kentridge” @ The Jewish Museum (closes September 19; museum closed September 9, 10th)
INSTRUCTIONS IN CLASS E-PORTFOLIO
CLASS 5
SEPTEMBER 28 – CITY AS SITE: PUBLIC ART
Location: MEET INSIDE THE 68TH STREET 6 TRAIN HUNTER SUBWAY STATION
Tour of art in the NYC subway system with Lydia Bradshaw of the MTA’s Arts for Transit Program
READING: MTA ART EN ROUTE (PDF)
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Wednesday, SEPTEMBER 29
EVENING PERFORMANCE: DANCE
Location: MEET AT CITY CENTER (WEST 55 STREET BETWEEN 6-7 AVES) @ 7:30 PM
FALL FOR DANCE: Merce Cunningham Dance Company, XOVER (2007), music by John Cage and scenery by Robert Rauschenberg. Gallim Dance and Andrea Miller’s I Can See Myself in Your Pupil (2008), Madhavi Mudgal, Vistaar, Miami City Ballet performing Twyla Tharp’s The Golden Section (1983), music by David Byrne.
Thursday, September 30 OPTIONAL
6-8 pm
Location: MACAULAY CABARET
35 WEST 67 STREET
COMMON EVENT
THE LANGSTON HUGHES SHOW WITH DAVE M
CLASS 6
OCTOBER 5 – CITY AS SITE: PHOTOGRAPHY
GUEST SPEAKER: BARRON RACHMAN, Photographer
Location: MEET AT THE MACAULAY SCREENING ROOM
35 WEST 67 STREET
Seeing our city through the eyes of modern and contemporary photographers.
Wednesday, October 6 MANDATORY
6-8 pm
Location: MACAULAY LECTURE HALL
35 WEST 67 STREET
COMMON EVENT
MEET THE ARTIST, DAVID ELLIS
ASSIGNMENT: Visit www.davidellis.com
Monday, October 11 MANDATORY
COMMON EVENT
SNAPSHOT PICTURE DAY
ALL DAY
Take a photograph of your neighborhood to submit to SNAPSHOT NYC 2010 exhibition
CLASS 7
OCTOBER 12 – SNAPSHOT DAY PHOTOGRAPHS: IN CLASS PRESENTATION
Discussion led by Karen Gregory, PhD Program in Sociology
ASSIGNMENT: Bring in 3-4 photos that you took of your neighborhood to share with the class. We will choose the 1 for exhibition.
Monday, October 18 OPTIONAL
6-8 pm
Location: MACAULAY CABARET
35 WEST 67 STREET
COMMON EVENT
THE LANGSTON HUGHES SHOW WITH DAVE M
CLASS 8
OCTOBER 19 – SEEING ART OUTSIDE AND INSIDE: SPACE AND TIME
ASSIGNMENT: Visit Metropolitan Museum of Art to see two contemporary art exhibitions: “Big Bambu” installation by the Starn twins on the Met roof, the photography exhibition “Between Here and There: Passages in Contemporary Photography.” (See Assignments on class e-portfolio)
READING: Kimmelman, Michael. “The Art of the Pilgrimage” in The Accidental Materpiece on the Art of Life and Vice Versa, New York: Penguin Books, 2005.
Readings: Selected Articles on Met exhibitions and artists.
Tuesday, October 19
EVENING PERFORMANCE : LES CONTES D’HOFFMANN
Location: MEET AT THE METROPOLITAN OPERA (LINCOLN CENTER CAMPUS between West 62nd and 65th Streets; Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues.)
MEET @ 7:30
READING: Hoffman, E.T.A. short story: “The Sandman” and
Freud, Sigmund “The Uncanny”
Wednesday, October 20 OPTIONAL
6-8 pm
Location: MACAULAY LECTURE HALL
35 WEST 67 STREET
COMMON EVENT
MIGUEL GUITIERREZ, dancer
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CLASS 9
OCTOBER 26 – OPERA AND THE UNCANNY
Student led discussion of the Opera, the notion of the “uncanny” and shoot Metropolitan Opera Video Blog
ASSIGNMENT: Visit “The New York Earth Room” by Walter De Maria (See Assignment on class e-portfolio)
CLASS 10
NOVEMBER 2 –TOUR CHELSEA GALLERIES
Location: Meet at Bitforms Gallery, 529 West 20 Street , 2nd floor
(between 10-11 Av)
GUEST ARTIST: DANIEL CANOGAR
ASSIGNMENT: Visit THE HIGH LINE (See Assignment on class e-portfolio)
CLASS 11
NOVEMBER 9 – STUDENT E-PORTFOLIO PRESENTATIONS IN CLASS
Thursday, November 11 OPTIONAL
6-8 pm
Location: MACAULAY LECTURE HALL
35 WEST 67 STREET
COMMON EVENT –POETRY READING
Friday, November 12
EVENING PERFORMANCE: MUSIC
New York Philharmonic playing Beethoven “Violin Concerto” and John Adams “Harmonielehre”
Location: MEET AT CARNEGIE HALL (881 Seventh Avenue @ 57th Street) at 6:45 pm for pre-concert discussion @ 7 pm
8 PM Concert
READING: As assigned from Carnegie Hall website and other readings.
CLASS 12
NOVEMBER 16 – SOUND SPACE: CARNEGIE HALL
GUEST SPEAKER: GINO FRANCESCONI, Archivist
Note: We will leave directly from the classroom. Must be on time.
Monday, November 22
EVENING PERFORMANCE : MUSICAL THEATER
“American Idiot”
Location: MEET AT THE ST. JAMES THEATER, 246 West 44 Street
@ 7:30
ASSIGNMENT: Listen to Green Day’s American Idiot album (See Assignment on class e-portfolio.).
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CLASS 13
NOVEMBER 23 – POETRY
GUEST SPEAKER: PATRICIA SPEARS JONES, poet and playwright
READING: Selected Poems on New York (TBD)
CLASS 14
NOVEMBER 30 – ARTS OF NEW YORK:
NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF CULTURAL AFFAIRS (DCA)
Note: We will leave directly from the classroom. Must be on time.
Meet Chelsea Scott, a program officer for the DCA
The big picture. Course wrap-up on the Brooklyn Bridge
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CLASS 15
DECEMBER 7 – IN-CLASS FINAL PRESENTATIONS
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Sunday, December 12, 2010 MANDATORY
COMMON EVENT
SNAPSHOT NYC EXHIBITION
Location: Macaulay
CLASS 16
DECEMBER 14 – IN-CLASS FINAL PRESENTATIONS
