Outline

Overview

This studio-based unit focuses on critical engagement with materiality and form. The course introduces fundamental knowledge and technical skills for students to produce a series of 3D objects through high-definition casting and complimentary construction techniques. Students will work with a broad range of traditional and experimental materials. Emphasis is placed on developing students' material and spatial awareness of three-dimensional forms in context and investigating their conceptual applications. Students will be required to design, plan and produce a series of sculptural works, utilizing mediums and techniques explored throughout the semester. Additionally, students will critically contextualise and discuss their projects against historical precedents and contemporary practices that inform their creative inquiries. Postgraduate students will further investigate possibilities to expand their project into an ambitious site-based intervention.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	DESA9013
Academic unit	Architecture
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	AWSS2027
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Koji Ryui, koji.ryui@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Richard Kean, richard.kean@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Project 2 - Sculptural proposition Oral presentation with objects (documentation pdf) and written statement	40%	Formal exam period Due date: 10 Jun 2020 at 18:00	30x30x30cm, 10MB, 5 minutes, 100 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Journal Journal	30%	Multiple weeks	A4 Process Journal w 800word analysis
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Project 1 - Object of dichotomy Oral presentation with objects (documentation pdf) and written statement	30%	Week 09 Due date: 29 Apr 2020 at 18:00	15x15x15cm, 5MB, 5 minutes, 100 words
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Project 1 - Object of dichotomy: In response to a series of exercises in class, students are asked to take one exercise and develop a work(s) that consists of 2 elements that articulate a relationship between two contrasting qualities in at least one of the following concepts: material, narrative, aesthetic, formal, structural, scale, and affect. Additionally, students may introduce one more material to address the presentation looking at the relationships between 2 contrasting elements/components.
Project 2 - Sculptural proposition: This assignment asks students to focus on the formal aspects of the object they have produced in project 1 and how they might best be drawn out through structures of support using metalastics exploring repetition and geometry. They will produce an object that is the basis for a large-scale proposal of the work. Students are required to utilise at least 1 or 2 techniques from the material intensives in order to design, plan and complete this project.
Journal: Students will take an experimental and explorative approach throughout the unit. Students are required to keep a journal sketchbook to record their week-by-week class notes and independent research. The journal should contain drawings and/or photographs to illustrate the progress of your ideas and work at different stages of completion and notes about processes taught in class. Most importantly, it should show the development of your ideas and demonstrate a critical process of thinking and visualising, a realistic critical self-evaluation of your work and an awareness of historical and theoretical aspects of sculptural practice. It should also contain a record of gallery visits, exhibition reviews and research for your class presentations.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Work of outstanding quality, demonstrating mastery of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows significant innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or exceptional skill.
Distinction	75 - 84	Work of excellent quality, demonstrating a sound grasp of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or superior skill.
Credit	65 - 74	Work of good quality, demonstrating more than satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed, or work of excellent quality for a majority of the learning outcomes assessed.
Pass	50 - 64	Work demonstrating satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed.
Fail	0 - 49	Work that does not demonstrate satisfactory achievement of one or more of the learning outcomes assessed.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

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.

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.

Learning support

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Formal exam period	1. Class critique: students will present their project followed by class discussions and critiques	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 01	1. Introduction to the unit; 2. Project 1: The object of dichotomy - this week will involve making a plaster mould and looking at how this specific technique can be used to reproduce the same forms in different materials. The conceptual focus of this exercise will be to understand through making how materials imbue objects with meanings and readings	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 02	This week will involve experimenting with wax in relation to different existing objects such as moulded plastics, nutshells and textured surfaces. We will also experiment with making quick moulds from sand, clay and Vaseline using the body to create wax and plaster forms invested with movement and texture	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 03	This week will involve an intensive on casting in silicone. This particular method of high-resolution casting is often used to make deceptively ‘real’ reproductions of objects. This enhances the reading and possible deceptive possibilities of object making and can be used to conceptually challenge viewers understanding of the materials they have implicitly understood through surface texture and colour	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 06	From this week, classes are dedicated to the development of project 1: the object of dichotomy. In which students are asked to develop a pair of objects and present them together demonstrating a capacity to understanding of the nature of how the material, narrative, aesthetic, formal, structural, scale and affect in a work can be presented in multiple ways	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 07	Studio workshop, students to clarify and resolve work for week 6 presentation	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 08	One on one tutorial	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 09	1. Project 1 assessment; 2. Class critique and assessment of project 1; 3. Assessable component: class presentations; 4. Project 2 introduction	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 10	This week will involve working in the metalastics lab and starts with an introduction to metal shaping, cutting, soldering and braising. We will also look at plastic forming techniques and polystyrene cutting. This introduction will involve taking an element from the first project and attempting to model it in one of these techniques	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 11	This week will involve building an object or base or associated object to an element from the first project and making a sympathetic structure in another of the metalastics techniques	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 12	Students are required to utilise at least 1 or 2 techniques from the material intensives in order to design, plan and complete this project exploring repetition and geometry. The same basic concepts of material, narrative, aesthetic, formal, structural, scale and affect but this time will involve the contextualisation of the work focussing on placement and how the context of a work can give depth and power to the presentation as a sculpture	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 13	One on one tutorial	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 14 (STUVAC)	Production - students should be in full production and assembly mode. The works need to be nearly complete to discuss the final installation of works	Workshop (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance and Study Commitment:

Students should note that attendance to all online classes is essential. Attendance means arriving on time and participating in the full class session.

Contact Hours: 3 hours per week
Independent Study: In addition to 3 contact hours per week, students are expected to spend 6 -12 hours per week on independent study for this unit.
Absence: If you are absent from a class it is important that you do the work missed in class in your own time and submit the work for assessment at the specified time.

Required materials: Pencil, pen, Stanley knife, 30cm ruler, scissors, and bring your visual journal to every class.

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

All weekly readings and additional material will be made available on Canvas.

Learning outcomes

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. engage with ideas in the field of contemporary 3D practice; sculpture, spatial practices, visual arts, especially as these ideas relate to architecture
LO2. use a range of primary and secondary research sources to develop your thinking and practice
LO3. select and integrate these sources into your own thinking, making and documentation
LO4. develop and apply both traditional and experimental techniques in a variety of materials
LO5. plan and achieve a goal by researching and developing two projects in sculpture
LO6. demonstrate the commitment to utilise a visual journal to express ideas, research and sketches
LO7. demonstrate personal self-reliance, by taking responsibility for self-directed learning.

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

Unit is constantly updated in consultation with the tutor and DMAF

Additional information

The unit may be adjusted for each session. Please refer to information and materials provided on Canvas for any changes and updates.

Additional costs

Students are required to pay a material fee of $65 online in week 2 the latest. Payment receipt to be placed on the last page of the journal to be checked by the tutor in week 3. Students who have not completed the payment will lose access to materials required for this unit of study. Payment method will be advised via Canvas. This material fee will supply students: a range of materials used in the initial stages of research in Projects 1 & 2, and 1x A4 visual journal per student. The Materials for this course are: Plaster, wax, silicone, sand, sheet metal, casting metal/glass, bronze rods, polystyrene.

Work, health and safety

DMaF LAB SAFTEY INDUCTION AND COMPETENCY UNIT:
Access within all areas of DMaF Lab is strictly subject to completion of the Safety Induction and Competency Unit (SICU). This ensures that all users of the Lab are informed as to the operation of its extensive and complex machinery in a safe manner. You may need access to DMaF Lab to complete coursework, please ensure that you have completed SICU and have obtained your DMaF Lab Competency Card by Week 4. Teaching sessions for SICU will only be available during the first few weeks of each semester.

How to complete DESA1555 - Safety Induction and Competency Unit (SICU):
• The course is two sessions, each three hours in length and includes written and skill-based assessment.
• Please select DESA1555 Safety Induction and Competency Unit (SICU) from your Canvas dashboard and sign up to one
Timber and one Metalastics teaching session.
• Once both workshop sessions have been successfully completed, take the SICU Exam (Online Quiz) through Canvas and
receive a 100% grade.
• Upon completion of the SICU, you may obtain your DMaF Competency Card. It is mandatory to display your DMaF Lab
Competency card whilst using the facilities.
• If you have any queries or questions about the SICU, please write to adp.sicu@sydney.edu.au

Please check with DMAF for weekly Lab opening hours to manage your access during the semester.
http://dmaf-lab.com/

*Studnets are required to wear appropriate footwear to enter labs and workshops

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

DESA9013: Arch and Design Material Processes (Casting)

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Additional costs

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect