In response to "wicked problems," for example, climate crisis, ongoing colonial violence, and increasing numbers of forcibly displaced refugees, many contemporary art practices, philosophers, and scientists have been compelled to complicate established ideas about the distinction between "nature" and "culture". In this course we will explore a critical posthuman understanding of artistic practice, appreciating and engaging with the activities and agency of materials, technologies and forces. Understanding the artist's role as one actor among others in the networked creation of a work, we will explore how to bring the relations between different actors to the fore. The course will involve critical thinking about and experimentation with decolonial, historical, and contemporary art projects. Students will develop projects that explore specific systems and relations, activating different media and materials. The course will incorporate technical instruction in manipulating living systems as art material (bioart), casting a range of materials alongside 3D modelling and printing as a way to examine the agency and potential of three different technologies and materials of replication.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- use, create and discuss decolonial, feminist and/or post-humanist critical methods for engaging with materials and technologies as networked actors;
- realise, document and present artworks that critically engage with posthumanist art practices and the specific materials and technologies used in course projects;
- investigate practices and discourses around transdisciplinary Indigenous Knowledge and posthumanist art practice and the specific materials and technologies used in course projects to support creative production; and
- substantiate artistic outcomes with research and rationale.
Other Information
School of Art & Design studio courses have a limited enrolment capacity. Students are advised to enrol as early as possible to maximise the opportunity of securing a place.Indicative Assessment
- Casting project (15) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- 3D Modeling project (15) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Bioart project (15) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Weekly blog (15) [LO 1,3,4]
- Final project (40) [LO 1,2,3,4]
The ANU uses 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. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
130 hours of total student learning time made up from:a) 48 hours of contact over 12 weeks comprising lectures, tutorials, critiques and supervised studio practice; and
b) 82 hours of independent student research, studio production, reading and writing.
Inherent Requirements
Not applicable
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Not applicable
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 12
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $3780 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $5280 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
