As a teacher my role is to facilitate the growth of a student’s individual voice as an artist through the understanding of established visual concepts and techniques and by fostering a challenging, yet supportive environment that encourages self-motivated investigation and risk-taking. In the classroom, I see myself as a collaborator with my students. Together, we share our experience and engagement with materials and ideas. It is here, where we are able to dialogue about the work, to formulate creative strategies and discuss its cultural, social, and political relevance. It is my belief that in this process, I become more informed about their work so that we can determine together a course or direction for their own unique exploration.
My curriculum is a balance of visual exercises, studio projects, slide presentations, lectures, field trips, critiques, hands-on demonstrations and time for self-discovery. I create studio projects that are sequential, where each project builds upon the last one, investigating particular formal, technical and conceptual issues, while imbuing a greater sensitivity to materials and processes. I believe it is essential for students to have exposure to art history and contemporary theory (with emphasis that concept and craft/technique are equal in importance), focus on the nature of seeing and developing a critical eye, and to obtain an art vocabulary to culminate their ability to articulate themselves in the field. Once a base knowledge of the theory and techniques are established, a multi-disciplinary approach is introduced to expand the field for exploration.
I believe that only by encouraging students to steadily investigate, experiment, and to challenge themselves will they be able to make informed connections and decisions and formulate effective, visual creative strategies to interpret their world. It is those moments, where the learned theory and skills come together synergistically and are utilized with personal expression, that students realize the potential of their learning and the power of Art. Art has the potential to influence the world and this realization is what is most exciting to students and to me as an artist. My ultimate goal is for students to expand their sense of curiosity and engagement with the world through their role as an artist, and become empathic, passionate and intellectual citizens that effectively communicate their ideas in an extraordinary way.

Professor Victor Signore
Greenfield Community College
Spring 2011
ART 125 3D Design M/W: 8-10AM
Email: signorev@gcc.mass.edu
Office Hours: by appointment

Course Description: Exploration of three-dimensional space. Application of design principles in relation to height, width and depth. Emphasis will be on conceptualization and problem solving. Prereq.: ART 121, ART 132

Objectives:
1. To learn and apply three-dimensional design principles through the manipulation of
various materials.
2. To experience and develop technical, craft and problem solving skills through the
experimentation and manipulation of many different materials.
3. To develop and hone your visual/aesthetic vocabulary through observation, critical
thinking and experimentation.
4. To develop a critical eye.
5. To develop a strong work discipline.
6. To demonstrate that you are making informed aesthetic decisions with your work,
while developing your individual aesthetic or style.

Class Format: This course will introduce students to a series of projects that tackle different technical and conceptual issues to provide students with the experience of going through all the steps and processes that an artist encounters from brainstorming to the final product. Projects will be introduced through lectures, group discussions and demonstrations.

Student Responsibility: Projects will be started in class and should be carried on with outside of class. Students will be expected to do most of their work outside of class (at least eight hours per week), since we meet for only four hours per week. Students will also be required to participate in group discussions and critiques. The completion of all projects and the attendance to all critiques are mandatory. It is crucial that you attend these critiques, as they will provide you with an open forum to discuss ideas and give constructive criticism to each other. These critique sessions are an invaluable resource. You will learn much from each other through the process of critical observation and giving and receiving feedback, providing you with the practice of analyzing and interpreting different aesthetic and conceptual issues that will arise when viewing one's work.

Attendance: You will have 2 excused absences for the semester, as a result of the third absence your grade will go down half a letter grade. 2 tardies also will equal 1 absence, so please be on time. It is your responsibility to attend every class for its full duration, as well as be on time. Due to the short period of time that we do meet for class, it would benefit you to not miss class if you can help it. Much will be covered and you will fall behind quickly.

Course of Study: The series of projects that will be assigned throughout the semester will focus on various design principles such as line, plane, shape, volume, mass, texture and scale. The student will also be introduced to many different materials and techniques/processes to acquire skills that can be utilized to realize your vision or concept. By the end of the semester the student should have a portfolio consisting of documentation of all the work that was done over the semester. The instructor will help with the compiling of students' work for the portfolio.

Tools:
Ceramics tool kit
Wood carving tools
Glue gun
Utility knife w/ extra blades
X-acto knife w/ extra blades
Sur-form (shaving plane)
Needle nose pliers
Pencils, sharpie
Mixing buckets
Knife, fork, spoon, etc. (anything that can make interesting marks)
Various glues (depends on material)

Materials:
Sketchbook/journal
Metal wire (two different gauges, for example .016 and .020)
Cardboard
Foamcore
Modeling Clay (plasticine)
Plaster (the school will provide this material)
Paper

On Materials: We will be using a wide range of materials over the semester. The school will provide plaster, but the student will be responsible for obtaining all other materials. As an artist you have to learn to be resourceful in finding materials. Part of the problem solving process is to be creative and inventive when figuring out what material suits a particular idea best, while also being the most economic. There are many non-art materials that can be used to create art. Hardware stores are a wonderful and inexpensive resource of various materials. If you and the hardware store have yet to be acquainted, you will be seeing much of each other this semester. Occasionally, the student will be required to acquire a specific material for a particular project or if there becomes a shortage of a material in class.

Safety/Etiquette: All safety procedures/rules must be followed, with no exceptions. Absolutely no open-toed shoes will be allowed. Students need to respect one another and one's materials, projects and workspace. All students are responsible for the maintenance and cleaning of the studio and all tools that are used. At the end of every class we will take the last ten minutes to clean up and put everything back where it belongs. This studio is a shared space and must be treated that way. We will have limited space dedicated towards storage for working projects. Completed projects need to be documented and removed from the studio to make space for the next project.

Evaluation/Grading: There are many different aspects that I will be looking at in order to make an informed evaluation of your performance in the class including: attendance, participation in discussions/critiques, preparedness to work, effort, attitude and the strength and quality of your work assignments, projects and final portfolio. The strength and quality of work will be evaluated in regard to not only the final product, but also the whole process of creation. NOTE: Projects that are late will be docked 5 points for everyday late and will not be accepted after a week. Because this is a design course, it is important to follow through with many drafts or revisions before producing the final product. This ensures that the student has sought through many different ideas to achieve the best solution for the problem. Other criteria include: the level of craft achieved (well made vs. sloppy) in a project, attention to detail and using your acquired skills of design, craft and critical thinking.

GRADING
Projects (7 in total) = 75% of grade
Homework/class assignments = 10% of grade
Portfolio = 10%
Effort/Attitude/Participation = 5%
Semester grade = 100%

Other things to think about: Does your work address issues beyond the specified parameters of the assignment? For example, does a particular work address conceptual issues that go beyond the visual design of the piece, such as symbolism or metaphor? I will look to see how a student progresses throughout the semester and how they work through to resolve various problems and how much time is spent in the resolution. Did the student decide to go with the first idea because they just wanted to get it done, or did they really think about the project and worked through many different ideas until they found the best solution? This class is an opportunity to do some serious investigation and experimentation with materials, processes and your own individual aesthetic, and most importantly... to have fun! You will be keeping a journal of sorts throughout the semester that will contain any writing, research, brainstorming, sketching, collage, etc. that is in any way related to this class. This will be handed in along with your portfolio at the end of the semester.


Class Schedule:

W. 9/7: Introductions: Goals, course criteria, materials needed.
Project #1: Relief Project. Bring foamcore, metal straightedge, utility knife
and x-acto knife with extra blades for both. Homework: Create a 16”x16”
finished drawing of the design you have chosen to work with.

M. 9/12: Discuss designs/sketches, slides and work time.

W. 9/14: Work time/discuss drawings.

M. 9/19: Relief Project Due. Project #2: Organ Project (plaster).
Bring wood carving tools and ceramics tools for next class.

W. 9/21: Demo: mixing plaster. Discuss designs/Work time/Slides
Class exercise: sculptures for the blind.

M. 9/26: Work time.

W. 9/28: Work time.

M. 10/3: Work time.

W. 10/5: Organ Project Due. Project #3: Wearable Sculpture

M. 10/10: COLUMBUS DAY: NO CLASS

W. 10/12: NO CLASS: FRIDAY SCHEDULE.

M. 10/17: Work time.

W. 10/19: Work time.

M. 10/24: Wearable Sculpture Due.
Project #4: Linear Movement / Balancing Spaces

W. 10/26: Slides / class exercise: action words

M. 10/31: Work time.

W. 11/2: Work time.

M. 11/7: Work time.

W. 11/9: Linear / Bal. Spaces Due. Project #5: Modular Units.

M. 11/14: Slides / Work time.

W. 11/16: Work time.

M. 11/21: Work time.

W. 11/23: Collaborative Chair Project.

M. 11/28: Collaborative Chair Project.

W. 11/30: Modular Units Due. Large Project #6: Substantial Fragments
(Planar Project).

M. 12/5: Collaborative Chair Project. Slides/Discuss drawings.

W. 12/7: Collaborative Chair Project Due. Work time.

M. 12/12: Work time.

W. 12/14: Work time.

M. 12/19: Work time.

W. 12/21: Final Project Presentations and Portfolios Due.

Professor Victor Signore
Greenfield Community College
Spring 2011
Art 225 3D Design II M/W: 8-10AM
Email: signorev@gcc.mass.edu
Office Hours: by appointment

Course Description: A continuation of Art 125, 3D Design, with emphasis on three- dimensional form in relation to site and space. Students use various materials, technologies and design processes and explore concepts through the process of drawing.

Objectives:
1. To learn and apply three-dimensional design principles through the manipulation of
various materials.
2. To experience and develop technical, craft and problem solving skills through the
experimentation and manipulation of many different materials.
3. To develop and hone your visual/aesthetic vocabulary through observation, critical
thinking and experimentation.
4. To develop a critical eye.
5. To develop a strong work discipline.
6. To demonstrate that you are making informed aesthetic decisions with your work,
while developing your individual aesthetic or style.

Class Format: This course will introduce students to a series of projects that tackle different technical and conceptual issues, but with an emphasis to the relation of site and space to sculpture. Projects will be introduced through lectures, group discussions and demonstrations. Unlike the Art 125 class, this course gives students a chance to work on more involved projects for extended periods of time providing a valuable experience of art practice. Students can further and more thoroughly explore, experiment and investigate materials and ideas, while being able to work on refinement and craft of their work.

Student Responsibility: Projects will be started in class and should be carried on with outside of class. Students will be expected to do most of their work outside of class (at least eight hours per week), since we meet for only four hours per week. Students will also be required to participate in group discussions and critiques. The completion of all projects and the attendance to all critiques are mandatory. It is crucial that you attend these critiques, as they will provide you with an open forum to discuss ideas and give constructive criticism to each other. These critique sessions are an invaluable resource. You will learn much from each other through the process of critical observation and giving and receiving feedback, providing you with the practice of analyzing and interpreting different aesthetic and conceptual issues that will arise when viewing one's work. Art 225 students will meet every Wednesday to discuss progress on projects. We will have two big critiques, one at the midterm and one final critique at the end of the semester. This will allow students to have the opportunity to work uninterrupted for an extended period of time on 2-3 larger or more involved projects.

Attendance: You will have 2 excused absences for the semester, as a result of the third absence your grade will go down half a letter grade. 2 tardies also will equal 1 absence, so please be on time. It is your responsibility to attend every class for its full duration, as well as be on time. Due to the short period of time that we do meet for class, it would benefit you to not miss class if you can help it. Much will be covered and you will fall behind quickly.

Course of Study: The series of projects that will be assigned throughout the semester will focus on various design principles and concepts introduced in Art 125, but will concentrate more on volume, mass, texture, scale, clarity of concept, intention and craft. We will also focus more on the specificity of site and space, the use of multiples, assemblage and mixed media. There will also be more emphasis on content within a work. For larger scale projects and installations, students will be expected to make maquettes (models) before they make the intended sculpture to scale. The student will also be introduced to many different materials and techniques/processes to acquire skills that can be utilized to realize their vision or concept. By the end of the semester the student should have a portfolio consisting of documentation of all the work that was done over the semester. The instructor will help with the compiling of students' work for the portfolio.

Tools:
Ceramics tool kit
Carving tools
Utility knife w/ extra blades
X-acto knife w/ extra blades
Sur-form (shaving plane)
Needle nose pliers
Pencils, sharpie
Mixing buckets
Serrated knife, fork, spoon, etc. (anything that can make interesting marks)
Various glues (depends on material)
Instruction and safety procedures will be covered for hand and power tools.

Materials:
Sketchbook/journal
Metal wire (two different gauges, .016 and .020)
Cardboard
Foamcore
Modeling Clay
Plaster (the school will provide this material)
Wax

We will be using a wide range of materials over the semester. The school will provide the plaster, but the student will be responsible for obtaining all other materials. As an artist you have to learn to be resourceful in finding materials. Part of the problem solving process is to be creative and inventive when figuring out what material suits a particular idea best, while also being the most economic. There are many non-art materials that can be used to create art. Hardware stores are a wonderful and inexpensive resource of various materials. If you and the hardware store have yet to be acquainted, you will be seeing much of each other this semester. Occasionally, the student will be required to acquire a specific material for a particular project or if there becomes a shortage of a material in class.

Safety/Etiquette: All safety procedures/rules must be followed, with no exceptions. Absolutely no open-toed shoes will be allowed. Students need to respect one another and one's materials, projects and workspace. All students are responsible for the maintenance and cleaning of the studio and all tools that are used. At the end of every class we will take the last ten minutes to clean up and put everything back where it belongs. This studio is a shared space and must be treated that way. We will have limited space dedicated towards storage for working projects. Completed projects need to be documented and removed from the studio to make space for the next project.

Evaluation/Grading: There are many different aspects that I will be looking at in order to make an informed evaluation of your performance in the class, including: attendance, participation in discussions/critiques, preparedness to work, effort, attitude and the strength and quality of your work assignments, projects and final portfolio. The strength and quality of work will be evaluated in regard to not only the final product, but also the whole process of creation. NOTE: Projects that are late will be docked 5 points for everyday late and will not be accepted after a week. Because this is a design course, it is important to follow through with many drafts or revisions before producing the final product. This ensures that the student has sought through many different ideas to achieve the best solution for the problem. Other criteria include: the level of craft achieved (well made vs. sloppy) in a project, attention to detail and using your acquired skills of design, craft and critical thinking.

Projects (6 in total) = 75% of grade
Homework/class assignments = 10% of grade
Portfolio = 10%
Effort/Attitude/Participation = 5%
Semester grade = 100%

Other things to think about: Does your work address issues beyond the specified parameters of the assignment? For example, does a particular work address conceptual issues that go beyond the visual design of the piece, such as symbolism or metaphor? I will look to see how a student progresses throughout the semester and how they work through to resolve various problems and how much time is spent in the resolution. Did the student decide to go with the first idea because they just wanted to get it done, or did they really think about the project and worked through many different ideas until they found the best solution? This class is an opportunity to do some serious investigation and experimentation with materials, processes and your own individual aesthetic, and most importantly... to have fun! You will be keeping a journal of sorts throughout the semester that will contain any writing, research, brainstorming, sketching, collage, etc.; that is in any way related to this class. This will be handed in along with your portfolio at the end of the semester.

Class Schedule:

W. 9/7: Introductions: Goals, course criteria, materials needed. Homework: choose
projects that you want to work on. Start sketching out ideas and thinking about
writing up proposals.

M. 9/12: Discuss ideas/designs. Work time.
Homework: write up proposals and continue sketching ideas and doing
research.

W. 9/14: Work time

M. 9/19: Work time

W. 9/21: Work time

M. 9/26: Work time

W. 9/28: Work time

M. 10/3: Work time

W. 10/5: Work time

M. 10/10: COLUMBUS DAY: NO CLASS

W. 10/12: NO CLASS: FRIDAY SCHEDULE.

M. 10/17: Work time

W. 10/19: Work time

M. 10/24: Work time

W. 10/26: Work time

M. 10/31: MIDTERM REVIEW Homework: choose projects that you want to work
on. Start sketching out ideas and thinking about writing up proposals.

W. 11/2: Work time

M. 11/7: Work time

W. 11/9: Work time

M. 11/14: Work time

W. 11/16: Work time

M. 11/21: Work time

W. 11/23: Collaborative Chair Project.

M. 11/28: Collaborative Chair Project.

W. 11/30: Work time.

M. 12/5: Collaborative Chair Project.

W. 12/7: Collaborative Chair Project Due.

M. 12/12: Work time.

W. 12/14: Work time

M. 12/19: LAST DAY OF CLASS: Work time/CLEAN UP!!

W. 12/21: Final Project Presentations and Portfolios Due.

Professor Victor Signore
Greenfield Community College
ART 240 Installation Art
Summer 2012
Email: signorev@gcc.mass.edu
Office Hours: by appointment

Course Description: Exploration of the third and fourth dimensional concepts of space and time through the expanded field of sculpture, known as ‘installation art,’ utilizing a wide range of media including drawing, photography, sculpture, video, sound and performance art. We will investigate both indoor and outdoor installation, as well as site-specific, interactive installation and performance art. Students will explore and utilize different methods and techniques related with installation art, moving beyond the idea of sculpture as a discreet, self-contained object to creating an experience that alters the viewer’s perception of time and space.

Objectives:
• To create works that challenge and alter the viewer’s perception of space and/or time.
• To investigate and employ the conceptual relationship between materials and space.
• To understand and demonstrate knowledge of vocabulary and aesthetic concerns of
contemporary sculpture and installation art.
• To hone your personal style through experimentation, investigation, personal
expression and research.
• To experiment and research the relationship between physical and psychological
space.
• To physically and verbally demonstrate a working knowledge of different issues of
space and time through various media.

Class Format: This course will introduce students to a series of projects that tackle different technical and conceptual issues associated with installation art. Projects will be introduced through lectures, readings, group discussions and demonstrations.

Student Responsibility: Projects will be started in class and should be carried on with outside of class. Students will be expected to do most of their work outside of class (at least eight hours per week), since we meet for only four hours per week. Students will also be required to participate in group discussions and critiques. The completion of all projects and the attendance to all critiques are mandatory. It is crucial that you attend these critiques, as they will provide you with an open forum to discuss ideas and give constructive criticism to each other. These critique sessions are an invaluable resource. You will learn much from each other through the process of critical observation and giving and receiving feedback, providing you with the practice of analyzing and interpreting different aesthetic and conceptual issues that will arise when viewing one's work.



Attendance: You will have 2 excused absences for the semester, as a result of the third absence your grade will go down half a letter grade. 2 tardies also will equal 1 absence, so please be on time. It is your responsibility to attend every class for its full duration, as well as be on time. Due to the short period of time that we do meet for class, it would benefit you to not miss class if you can help it. Much will be covered and you will fall behind quickly.

Course of Study: The series of projects and assignments will focus on various aspects and issues of installation art; engaging different methods, techniques and media. The projects will investigate site-specific installation, performance, collaborative work and the effects of sound in space. Students will also keep a sketchbook/journal that will be viewed and discussed with the instructor. By the end of the semester the student should have a portfolio consisting of documentation of all the work that was done over the semester. The instructor will help with the compiling of students' work for the portfolio.

Tools: Whatever needed to realize your vision for each project.

Materials:
Sketchbook/journal

Evaluation/Grading: There are many different aspects that I will be looking at in order to make an informed evaluation of your performance in the class including: attendance, participation in discussions/critiques, preparedness to work, effort, attitude, level of craftsmanship, and the strength and quality of your work assignments, projects and final portfolio. The strength and quality of work will be evaluated in regard to not only the final product, but also the whole process of creation. Late work will result in a lower grade. NOTE: Projects that are late will be docked 5 points for everyday late and will not be critiqued.

GRADING
Projects = 60% of grade
Homework/class assignments = 20% of grade
Portfolio = 10%
Effort/Attitude/Participation = 10%
Semester grade = 100%

Projects:

• Strange/Familiar: altering, disruption of a familiar, everyday space.

• Transitional Space: passages, corridors, and stairwells

• Cabinet of Curiosities: exploration of multiples on space.

• Intimate Space: small scale installation

• Site-specific: creating a work for a specific space.

• Memory Traces: recreating the experience of a memory.

• Everyday Rituals: performance work either live or through media.