Skip to main content
Unit of study_

CAEL2046: Painting Music

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

From Piet Mondrian to Albert Oehlen, artists have been influenced by music. This has had both direct and sublimated effects on the development of the techniques and styles of painting. From seriality to polyrhythms, synchronicity between painting and music has been a constant for a century now. Abstraction has especially taken its cue from the autonomy of music to create a painting that is free from a direct representational quality and instead focuses on an engagement with its own reality through colour, materials and action. This unit of study investigates the dovetailing of painting and music, from modernism to contemporary art, and examines the current trends of painting, relating these processes to those of contemporary music. You will research and investigate the influences of music on painting, and create a work that has music as its core value.

Unit details and rules

Unit code CAEL2046
Academic unit Sydney College of the Arts
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
12 credit points of 1000 level units in Visual Arts subject area or 12 credit points of 1000 level Studio Foundation units in Bachelor of Visual Arts
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Adam Geczy, adam.geczy@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment First Assessment
Submit online the work for the first three exercises plus revisions
30% Week 06
Due date: 25 Mar 2024 at 23:59
variable
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4
Presentation stage 2 assessment
Present work in progress
20% Week 09
Due date: 26 Apr 2024 at 23:59
5-minute presentation
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Presentation produce and present project
produce and present project
50% Week 13
Due date: 24 May 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 05 Jun 2024
5-minute presentation
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

 

1. You will present the works from the first three exercises, plus at least one work/set of works that show you have made revisions based on feedback and your own reflection. Reproductions of these works and anyy accompanying notes and reflections are to be posted on Canvas. It is strongly advised that you include mention and reflection on artists who have inspired you, the music you have used, and some brief remarks about what you have learned.

2. As you work on their final self-led project, they are expected to experiment, making actual work and trying out new things, making mistakes and problem-solving. In this assessment students will present what they have done in the intervening weeks. The emphasis here is on activity and experimentation, not necessarily on finished work. This assessment is to ensure that you do not slump in activity mid-semester and to ensure that you are well set up for the final submission(s).

3. Final work. This can be one or a series of work. It can also be a diversity of works each based on different principles and different pices of music. At this stage you are expected to show some insight into the music that you have used. This can be done in person or in video form. As with the the earlier assesments, you are expected to show evidence of having explored other artists and pieces of music. At this stage it is also expected that you demonstarte that you have researched into the music (historical context, style, format etc.) you have used and not simply taken it intuitively on face-value.

All submissions are in person/video as well as uploaded onto Canvas.

Assessment criteria

  1. Competence

Demonstration of the development and application of practical and intellectual competency and skills appropriate to the unit of study.

 

  1. Development

Demonstration of the ability to initiate and realise your own objectives for studio practice and theory work within the requirements of the unit of study and of your developing knowledge of the historical and theoretical context of your practice. You are expected to improve your abilities, competency and understanding over the course of a semester, and over successive semesters.

 

  1. Critical Awareness

Demonstration of developing a critical awareness and knowledge of the unit of study and the ability to objectively evaluate your own work, select appropriate methods and materials and to formulate and evaluate ideas/methods.

 

  1. Commitment

Demonstration of commitment and self-motivation in respect of the unit of study. The level of commitment to study in the academic program is reflected in:

  • the development of self-motivation applied to individual, group or assignment-based work;
  • the degree of participation in all units of study including group work, project submissions, essays and discussions;
  • the development of a consistent work pattern; and
  • the regularity and punctuality of attendance and submissions.
  1. Innovation

Demonstration of innovative and imaginative thinking, appropriate to the unit of study, evidencing the quality of ideas underlying your work and development in your studies.

The final grade a student receives is based on the standard of his or her own performance across all the tasks set for a unit. Assessment tasks are designed so students can demonstrate how well they have achieved a unit’s outcomes.
Please note that while marks for individual assessment tasks may give a good indication of the likely final mark or grade for the unit, they do not guarantee a specific grade or final mark.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

For the assessments 2 & 3 physical attendance is an expected and part of the assessment, even if you are showing a video. Exceptions to the given due date are made only due to documented special consideration, including illness and/or misadventure. It is expected that all those presenting in the designated week are fully prepared by the beginning of class. Failure to do so may incur an immediate penalty of 10% Please note the university guidelines for late submissions: 5% per calendar day and fail after 20 days.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to the course Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1
Week 02 Line and curve Practical (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 03 Encounters with objects Practical (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 04 Splat, dribble, splat Practical (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 05 Preparation for Assessment 1 Practical (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week 06 Studio Work Practical (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 08 Studio work Practical (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 09 Stage 1 Presentation for Final Assessment Presentation (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 10 Studio work Practical (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 11 Studio work Practical (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 12 Studio work Practical (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 13 Final Presentations Presentation (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

It is an expectation that you attend 90% of this unit. Lateness may affect your attendance record.

Please give your lecturer notice of any absences at accompany them with the relevant written documentation.

Where possible, please communicate any expected latenesses or absences in person or via email.

A minimum of 50% attendance is required to pass the unit.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

You are asked regularly to navigate the list of musical works on the 'Pages' portal of Canvas.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Understand the basic historical foundation of the music-painting nexus
  • LO2. Produce studio work germane to the music-painting relationship
  • LO3. Demonstrate independent original thinking through a self-directed project
  • LO4. Articulate and justify intention and process as they relate to studio-related outcomes
  • LO5. To have a satisfactory mastery of technical skills in painting and other approaches as they relate to the studio project

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

There will be more structure offered in the weeks following the exercises for those who wish it while also respecting the need for individuals who want to pursue more self-lead tasks and learning. For those who are interested, more introductions into musical works and how they might be visually translated.

Additional costs

An equipment fee of $20 will be charged. You will be required to pay this to receive your final course results.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.