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ARC3020Y F
Instructor(s): John Shnier | john.shnier@daniels.utoronto.ca
Meeting Section: L0106
Tuesday, 9:00am - 1:00pm, 2:00pm - 6:00pm

This studio asserts that Drawing can embody Thesis!

This studio urges you to (re)define what a Drawing can be

This studio asks you to develop an Illustrated Thesis Narrative from the outset

As a point of departure, you will be applying your imagination to produce a speculative thesis utilizing concepts applied to the iconoclastic Venetian Architect and Polemicist, Gian Battista Piranesi (1720 – 1778). You will unpack concepts such as Fragment, Flux, Palimpsest and Form, to create a “House for Piranesi” allegory. In the process we will reconsider norms, conventions and iconic conditions and formulate your own thesis discourse.

A LEAP OF FAITH: FIRST PIRANESI’S THESIS, THEN YOURS

It will be understood that you will develop an early thesis concept, meaning that you are taking is a “leap of faith”. This early thesis concept does not have to be remarkable to start but you must start for it to become remarkable

TRIUMPH OF THE FRAGMENT

Recognizing that we recognize and acknowledge issues of diversity and inclusion, one may also pre-suppose that there need be no singular trajectories, truths or manifestos. And whether we like it or not, today’s language also includes narratives of “alternative facts” and “multiple truths”. Therefore, there may be potential benefits of working within a discourse of FRAGMENTS. But for the fragment to triumph, your thought process must include a discourse which binds these constituent elements together.

DRAWING AS THESIS: INTERPREATIONS IN MANY DIMENSIONS

From your personal thesis construct, you prepare drawings/artefacts in a continuous and iterative manner. The definition of “drawing” is fluid and wide-ranging. The latent kinetic quality of Piranesi’s work, as observed by the Russian avant-garde film maker, Sergei Eisenstein, shall also be present in your work through the creation and integration of a short film facilitating the 4th dimension in representation. Experimenting with incorporating drawing in motion is consistent with an understanding of FRAGMENT AND FLUX. Examples of previous films can be seen on the Daniels YouTube site.

PROFESSOR PROMPTED; STUDENT DIRECTED, COLLABORATIVE, CRITICAL AND ITTERATIVE

Students considering this studio should be prepared to be very self-motivated and self-directed in the type, quality and quantity of drawings they create. It is the ongoing discussion, feedback and critical environment that will help guide the student in advancing their work. The success of each student project depends on the continuous production of new work in response to ongoing critical environment with the participation of each student in the group. The studio promotes a safe and inclusive space for discourse. Students will seek to understand and support each other’s work.

ROME: A CITY OF FRAGMENT AND PALIMPSEST (TBD)

Pandemic permitting, we will go to Rome, where one is immersed in a city of palimpsest of fragment and flux. This trip is non-mandatory. Given the backlog of issuance of passports and visas, it may be that students who require a visa may not be able to obtain one in time for travel. Note travelers must abide by requirements related to vaccine and/or testing protocols, including the ArriveCan App. A U of T Safety Abroad Course must be completed

For Additional Information, please click here

Note - Former Shnier students may be contacted for further information:

• j.hampshire@mail.utoronto.ca
• erika.ulrich@mail.utoronto.ca
• nassim.sani@gmail.com