This course introduces the basic principles for the development of abstract paintings, considering a variety of historical and contemporary examples. This includes abstraction developed out of organic sources, geometric principles, optical effects, materiality and matter painting, and hybrid forms. Studio projects expand the student's conceptual and historical understanding of abstract painting, introduce a range of paint-handling skills, develop their knowledge of acrylic, oil and other media and understanding of how formal and material qualities contribute to the generation of meaning and affect. Studio work is informed by lectures, seminars and discussions. Work health and safety (WHS) instruction is an integral part of this course.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will have the knowledge and the skills to:

1. competently utilise a range of skills relevant to abstract painting, in response to Painting Workshop projects;
2. explore the potential of material/s used in Painting Workshop projects;
3. pursue the inventive application of concepts and processes relevant to Painting Workshop projects; and
4. engage with material processes, and historical and theoretical contexts relevant to an independently driven abstraction project.

Research-Led Teaching

The course encourages students to research the historical, theoretical and material frameworks that inform abstract painting.

Field Trips

National Gallery of Australia

Additional Course Costs

PAINTING WORKSHOP ACCESS FEE: A Painting Workshop Fee of $50- is paid as a one-off access fee for any student enrolled in Painting courses. This covers your access to workshop facilities outside of specific course hours. You will only be granted After Hours Access once you have paid this fee. (If you are enrolled in more than one Painting course in any semester you only pay this fee once per semester.)

PAINTING MATERIALS FEES: Painting Materials Fees will be charged for certain Painting courses which have specific material requirements. These fees cover the costs involved in our supplying course-specific materials for use by students in demonstration sessions and during class times. These are intended to supplement your own basic materials kit. While students can elect to provide their own materials, we strongly recommend using these supplies which are purchased with bulk-order savings and ensure all students are appropriately equipped for each course every week.

Each workshop sources appropriate specialist materials, which are made available to students to facilitate their working effectively, efficiently and safely within our programs. The School of Art is able to supply materials that don’t compromise ANU obligations under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS), and that have been assessed as suitable for each course. 

The Material Fee is payable for the School of Art to supply materials that become your physical property. You can choose to pay the Materials Fee and have these materials supplied to you through the School of Art, allowing you to take advantage of the GST-free bulk purchasing power of the ANU. These materials are also WHS compliant.

Students have the choice of acquiring these materials from a supplier other than the School of Art, however students should note that many materials may not be WHS compliant (and therefore are not approved for use in the workshops), or are not available for individuals to purchase because they must be supplied and stored in a particular way in order to meet WHS regulations.

The fee is $70.00: payment for the two fees above can be made online http://soa.anu.edu.au/required-resources-and-incidental-fees with proof of purchase provided to Emma Beer: emma.beer@anu.edu.au or your lecturer Tony Curran

Required Resources

Required Resources and Incidental Fees – ANU School of Art

Student contribution amounts under the Higher Education Support Act 2003 (HESA) and tuition fees support the course described in the Course Outline and include tuition, teaching materials and student access to the workshops for the stated course hours.

Students are requested to refer to the School of Art website for information: http://soa.anu.edu.au/required-resources-and-incidental-fees.

 

MATERIAL FEE

Each workshop sources appropriate specialist materials, which are made available to students to facilitate their working effectively, efficiently and safely within our programs. The School of Art is able to supply materials that don’t compromise ANU obligations under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (WHS), and that have been assessed as suitable for each course. 

The Material Fee is payable for the School of Art to supply materials that become your physical property. You can choose to pay the Materials Fee and have these materials supplied to you through the School of Art, allowing you to take advantage of the GST-free bulk purchasing power of the ANU. These materials are also WHS compliant.

Students have the choice of acquiring these materials from a supplier other than the School of Art, however students should note that many materials may not be WHS compliant (and therefore are not approved for use in the workshops), or are not available for individuals to purchase because they must be supplied and stored in a particular way in order to meet WHS regulations.

Recommended Resources

Painting Amongst Other Things Exhibition and Catalogue http://paot.com.au/

Article on Erasure https://www.tate.org.uk/context-comment/articles/revelation-erasure

Inventing Abstraction MOMA https://www.moma.org/interactives/exhibitions/2012/inventingabstraction/?page=connections

Abstraction, 2013 (Whitechapel: Documents of Contemporary Art). Edition. The MIT Press. Albers, J 1975, Interaction of Colour Revised Edition, Yale University Press. 

Abstraction, 2013 (Whitechapel: Documents of Contemporary Art). Edition. The MIT Press.

Albers, J 1975, Interaction of Colour Revised Edition, Yale University Press.

Briony, F 1997, On Abstract Art, Yale University Press, New Haven and London

Itten, J 1970, The Elements of Colour, John Wiley & Sons, New Jersey, United States.

Gerhard Richter, 1996, Abstract Painting 825-11:69 details/with an afterword by Hans Ulrich Obrist, Zurich.

Lippard, L,R 1981, Ad Reinhardt/Lucy R. Lippard, H.N. Abrams, New York.

Paths to Abstraction 1867-1917, Terence Maloon (editor), 2010.

Schwabsky,B (ed.)Vitamin P2: 2011, New Perspectives in Painting, Phaidon Press Limited, London.

This Way Up, 2009, an Exhibition Series of Recent Abstract Paintings, The Australian National University, Goanna Print, Canberra. 

Staff Feedback

Students will receive individual verbal feedback during the studio workshops.

Students will also receive verbal feedback from staff and students during group discussions.

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

Referencing requirements:

https://academicskills.anu.edu.au/resources/handouts/referencing-basics

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Tuesday February 26 Lecture 1-2pm SOA& Design Room 1.29 Project One: Introduction to Abstraction/ The Monochrome Studio 2-5pm	Erasure and The Monochrome The history of abstract painting in the 20th century is one of historical erasure of representational painting (associated with the past) in favour of future social ideals. Erasure as a painterly process tends to emphasise materiality by negating pictorial illusionism
2	Tuesday March 05 1-5pm Visit to the National Gallery (meet at National Gallery of Australia at 1pm in the Foyer)
3	Tuesday March 12 Lecture 1-2pm SOA& Design Room 1.29 Project Two: Gesture/Geometry Project Studio 2-5pm	Continuation and finalisation of Erasure and The Monochrome studio project.
4	Tuesday March 19 1-5pm Botanic Gardens Visit. Meet outside the SOA&Design Building -105 at 1pm and walk to Botanic Gardens. Project consists of ink studies (organic) and geometric (architectural) drawings	Gesture/Geometry and Translation Appearing ‘spontaneous’, Franz Kline’s monumental black and white line paintings from the 1950’s and 1960’s consist of transposing small automatic drawing into large scale paintings, considering the relationship between line, shape and scale. Since then a variety of artist have used this process including Jonathan Lasker and local artist Peter Maloney.
5	Tuesday March 26 Studio 1-5pm
6	Tuesday April 02 Lecture 1-2pm SOA& Design Room 1.29 Project Three:The Readymade Studio 2-5pm	Continuation and finalisation of free-line project – working with up scaling and projection of studies and combing with architectural line.
7	Tuesday April 23 Studio 1-5pm Beginning of readymade project	The Readymade In 1917 Marcel Duchamp famously gave up painting and produced his first readymade titled ‘The Fountain’. Since then generations of painters have used a variety of different supports and materials to replace painting directly onto canvas
8	Tuesday April 30 Studio 1-5pm	Continuation of readymade project
9	Tuesday May 07 ?Studio 1-5pm	Finalisation of readymade project
10	Tuesday May 14 Lecture 1-2pm SOA& Design Room 1.29 Project Four: Contemporary Approaches to Abstract Painting Studio 2-5pm Begin self-directed abstraction project
11	Tuesday May 21 Studio 1-5pm	Continue self-directed abstraction project
12	Tuesday May 28 Studio 1-5pm Continue and finalise self-directed abstraction project	Continue and finalise self-directed abstraction project

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Folio of set studio projects	80 %	06/06/2019	04/07/2019	1, 2, 3, 4
Visual Diary and Research/Attendance	20 %	06/06/2019	04/07/2019	1, 2, 3, 4

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website. Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Students are required to attend scheduled lectures and to participate in studio workshops, local excursions, class discussions and critiques. You are required to devote at least 10 hours per week to this coursework - 4 hours in class and 6 hours towards independent research and homework.

Examination(s)

Final semester folio and visual diary are assessed during exam week.

Assessment Task 1

Folio of set studio projects

Portfolio 80%: [Specific skills and knowledge are as specified in Workshop notes]

Rubric

CRITERA	HD	D	C	P	F
Utilization of a range of skills and processes	Consistently applies all skills and processes to an exceptionally high level	Consistently applies all skills and processes to a high level	Applies broad range of skills at a competent level	Applies limited range of skills at an adequate level	Technical skills below standard
Explore the potential of materials	Extended exploration of material potentials	Demonstrates thorough exploration of materials	Attempts to explore materials	Exploration of materials only as directed	Insufficient materials exploration
Recognition of relationship between concept and process in work	Insightful and independent thinking evident in work and articulated in discussion	Clear relationships demonstration in work and articulated in discussion	Work reveals and can explain to a degree	Evident in work but not articulated	Not evident in work
Engage with historical and theoretical contexts	High level of critical engagement evident in work and/or through discussion	Significant level of critical evident in work and/or through discussion	A competent level of critical awareness evident in work and/or through discussion	Not clearly revealed through work or in discussion	Work shows no research in the field

Assessment Task 2

Visual Diary and Research/Attendance

Keep an ongoing visual diary which reflects your participation and personal research related to course content and extended painting workshop events such as artist talks, art forum events and other exhibitions research you undertake.

This journal should address the follow criteria:

• Your ability to conduct in-depth and effective contextual research currently relevant to your project, discipline and the broader visual arts.
• You have exhibited a comprehensive knowledge of the technical, historical and/or theoretical context for your work 
• Your ability to reflect upon, evaluate and analyse your engagement with broader developments in visual arts and design.

Rubric

CRITERIA	HD	D	C	P	F
Analysis of the application of theoretical knowledge and/or practical skills	Critically analyses evaluates and own application of theoretical knowledge and practical skills	Analyses and evaluates own application of theoretical knowledge and practical skills	Analyses application of theoretical knowledge and practical skills	Attempts to analyses application of theoretical knowledge and practical skills	Journal entries do not analyse how theoretical knowledge or practical skills applied to work
Reflect on independent research	High level of critical reflection clearly identifiable	Significant critical reflection	Attempts to critically reflect	Reflection evident but with minimal critique	No reflection evident

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) as submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Folio will be available to be picked up after the exam period

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

An assignment may be resubmitted on medical grounds

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students