Seminar on Contemporary Artists is a graduate and upper division under-graduate seminar course. The aim of the course is to facilitate the student/artist to perceive of his or her own works of art in a thoughtful contemporary manner as well as to feel a part of this multi-faceted/open art world.

This objective is met through a six part process:

1. Participants in the class view video-taped (30-60 min.) interviews of professional contemporary artists discussing the conceptual basis of ideas which generate their work.

2. Before viewing the video on the artists a critical essay or writing by the artist is read. This written piece often challenges the artist's ideas and deepens the understanding so that the class is more familiar with the artist's work.

3. After the video presentation a discussion is shared within the class. This session often adds clarity to the video and also allows the class participants to take issue with the ideas and viewpoints exposed in the video. Seminar grade is based in part upon each participant taking part in each daily discussion.

4. To allow the class to further resolve their opinions on the artwork and ideas presented, a weekly 500 word typed paper is written in which the student/artist offers his or her reaction. Students must present papers upon each artist viewed weekly. Each paper is due one week after the video screening. No late papers will be accepted! Each missing paper shall lower the final grade by one letter grade per paper. Graduate level participants shall produce a 2500 word type-written research paper along with extensive photo-copied research materials provided on the subject. An outline for the graduate paper will be due at mid-term.

5. Slide presentations and critique sessions function as a forum for artists to freely exchange ideas about their work. During weekly sessions students from multi-disciplinary areas have the opportunity to examine their own contemporary works. The student/artist is actively engaged in an exchange of ideas perpetuating the cycle of creative thought. With this participation the individual becomes a part of the global arts community. Each artist in the class shall present one slide lecture which deals with their work. The critique session will take place during the slide presentation. Each student will be instructed and assisted in the process of slide photography. The class will be provided a single-lens reflex camera, tungsten lights, cable release and camera tripod. The students will be able to sign-up to check out the equipment and should plan to provide their own 35mm tungsten 160 Kodak slide film and slide processing. Each student must utilize this tungsten photo/slide system once during the semester. The slide lecture remains the major form of artist communication in the professional field. An artist must also have well made slides in order to apply for scholarships, grants and admissions to graduate school as well as exhibitions. The seminar will endeavor to enable the artist to become comfortable in slide production and lecturing.

6. A two to three sentence description will be researched, written and handed in concerning each individual artist listed in the course syllabus, on Tuesday, August 29, 2000.

From experience within the art world it is clear that the impetus to create important work is often found in one's own personal, cultural and political references. Therefore the Seminar on Contemporary Artists presents artists work that deals with issues of race, class and gender as well as formalist modes. Artists of color and female artists are also introduced into the Seminar on Contemporary Artists as a primary factor.

Nan Goldin

Maya Lin

Christo in Paris/Valley Curtin

Jasper Johns

Isamu Noguchi

Merell Ukeles

Karen Finley

Performance a Living Art

Jimmie Durham

Keith Haring

Juane Quick-To-See Smith

Nam June Paik

Ed Paske

Jackie Windsor

Mariam Shapiro

James Luna

Adrian Piper

Romare Bearden

16 Songs-Native American and Aboriginal Australian Collaborative Project

Rachel Whiteread

Maya Deren

Krzysztof Wodiczko

Jonas Dos Santo

Nic Nicosia

Elizabeth Hess

Trin T. Min Hah

John Baldessari

David Ireland

Terry Allen and William Wiley

Sadie Benning

Luis Cruz Azaceta

Brian Eno

Les Levine

Ann Hamilton

Mixing it Up#2-University of Colorado

Tim Rollins and Kids of Survival

Sol Lewitt

Leon Golub

Frida Khalo

Jim Pepper

Vito Acconci

Andy Warhol

Lucy Lippard

Linda Montano

Dennis Oppenheim

Chris Burden

Sphinxes Without Secrets - Women in Performance Art

Ana Mendieta

Andres Serrano

Mary Kelly

Martin Wong

Charlene Teters

Tehching Hsieh

Hachivi Edgar Heap of Birds

Juan Sanchez

Mel Chin

Dale Chihuly

Kay Walkingstick

Kenny Scharf

SEMINAR ON CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS FOUR

Guerilla Girls and Womens Action Coalition

John Malpede

Dennis Adams

Nancy Spero

Survival Research Lab

Alfredo Jaar

Robert Colescott

Pat Ward Williams

Peter Schjeldahl

Mixing it Up #IV-University of Colorado

Such a Red Day-Contemporary Native Artists

Elizabeth Murray

Eric Fischl

Faith Ringgold

Jim Northrup

Deborah Small

Hans Haacke

David Hockney

Chuck Close

Lorna Simpson

Howardena Pindell

Richard Serra and Robert Smithson

Keith Christensen