N2 the Environment

A joint venture between 3rdWard students, the instructor and the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation “Art in the Parks” Program.

The goal of this course is to move sculpture out of the interior personal space and into the public realm.  We will build a large scale project, in sections, with weekly deadlines and reports to the NYC parks Department.  Participants will learn how to deal with both positive aspects and the challenges of working together, in conjunction with civic organizations to successfully complete a public work of art. 

We will fabricate an interactive sculpture comprised of several 8 foot tall towers. Each unit will consists of a radio boom box activated by a proximity sensor, both powered by a solar array. Students will participate in every aspect of construction, from assembly of the structure and electronics in 3rd Ward's shop to installation at the choose site (tentatively Prospect Park). Once installed, the radio units will be dedicated to either a NYC ethnic culture or music genre. The towers will be surfaced with silhouettes designed by the class to match the cultures or genres.  Students will receive an 8-day shop pass and will work between class sessions in groups and with the instructor to meet construction deadlines.  In addition to the shop experience and the opportunity to craft and receive credit for a public work of art, students will also be invited to lectures and at least visit to an outdoor sculpture center.

You can view the course syllabus and additional documentation here.

Prerequisites: Participation in this course is limited to those who've taken any of our previous welding courses or have prior experience working with welding equipment.

Instructor
Christine Whittaker received her BFA in Sculpture & New Media from Kansas City Art Institute, an MFA in Sculpture & New Media from University of Delaware, and an MPS from ITP Interactivity & New Media at New York University.  She was an Athena fellow via Mark DiSuvero and Socrates Sculpture Park and has served on the advisory board for Whitebox.Org Gallery in NYC. She has been in a number of group and solo shows and worked on a series of important multimedia projects for private clients, collectors and is currently designing an environmentally interactive sculpture for the Olympia Sculpture Park. Whittaker's work is held in a number of private collections.

INTERESTED IN THIS COURSE?  LET US KNOW HERE.  
WE'LL TRY TO OFFER IT AGAIN SOON!