Handbook : Unit informationEdith Cowan University

School: Arts and Humanities

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

• Unit Title

  Artists Books: Materiality of Word and Image

• Unit Code

  VIS2545

• Year

  2019

• Enrolment Period

  1

• Version

  1

• Credit Points

  15

• Full Year Unit

  N

• Mode of Delivery

  On Campus
  

• Unit Coordinator

  Dr Paul Gerard UHLMANN

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Description

The poet Stephane Mallarme wrote that `all earthly existence must ultimately be contained in a book.' This unit will investigate the diverse architectural qualities, shapes and characteristics of the book by examining case studies from history. The unit will also explore the history of visual poetry and its various international contemporary expressions. It will consider how word may be seen as image, how word invokes image and how image may invoke word - that is, the liminal and poetic space between image and word. It will also approach how to make our own books through many hands-on methods. In doing this we will individually and collectively create new forms in order to move towards an answer to that perplexing question - `What is a book?'

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

1. Analyse the role that the book may play in the spatial and temporal aesthetics of reading text and image or text as image.
2. Critically examine case studies of the book as a cultural sign or object.
3. Discuss and consider the context of the book and potential interpretations of the audience.
4. Identify multiple characteristics and potentials of visual poetry.
5. Identify various forms, potentials and definitions of artists' books made by artists, poets, writers and designers.
6. Research, design and create a book using a range of mediums, materials and processes.

Unit Content

1. Creation of original visual poetry.
2. History and contemporary expressions of visual poetry.
3. Making of books using some of the following methods: writing, drawing, cutting, painting, sculpting, tearing, designing, erasing, folding, collage, burning, gluing, stitching, typing and printing.
4. Modern and contemporary history of artists' books.
5. Relevant artists, poets and writers as well as forms and materials of artists' books.
6. Technical and aesthetic judgments.

Learning Experience

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU Blackboard.

For more information see the Semester Timetable

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures. Demonstrations. Workshops and site visits.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

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