Art Department
Primary Aim:
To raise awareness and appreciation of Art, Craft and Design throughout the school.Aims for Junior Cycle:
An introduction to the basic elements of Art, Craft and Design, with reference to History of Art and Design.Aims for Transition Year:
There are two options here.- An alternative experience to the Junior Cycle and Senior Cycle, i.e. exploring new areas of Craft and Design including Historical Research.
- An introduction to Photography both analogue and digital, basic camera operation and use of enlarger and photoshop.
Aims for Senior Cycle:
To select and refine areas of Art, Craft and Design in terms of media, observation, analysis and technique.
Subject organization within the school:
Forms Primary and 1:
Art is compulsory- 1 double lesson = 1hr 30mins.
Forms 11 and 111:
- Form 11 – 1 double and 1 single lesson = 2hrs 15mins.
- Form 111 -1 double and 1 single lesson = 2hrs 15mins.
Transition Year:
Art and Photography are options.- 1 double and 2 single lessons = 3hrs.
Art:
A number of practices and disciplines will be introduced and developed including batik, painting, drawing and glass painting. A written assignment will also be researched and presented. An assessment will be made of:- Weekly effort marks
- The written assignment
- Continual assessment of course work
- Drawing and Painting examinations.
Photography: The production of film-based black and white prints. The 'traditional' 35mm SLR camera is used to give pupils a sound introduction to the world of photography.
- creative controls of: aperture, shutter speed and light meter.
- chemical processing and developing of negatives.
- use of enlarger to print contact sheets and final image.
- analysis and selection of images based on: technical compositional and aesthetic criteria.
- manipulation of light balance and focus point of images through contrast enhancement and dodging and burning techniques.
- general introduction to the history of photography, from the camera obscura onwards.
- an introduction to the chosen photographer, and the social/historical context within which they worked.
- influences on the photographer and how their work influenced others.
- use of special equipment or techniques.
- distinctive subject matter or 'look' in the chosen photographer.
- write a review/critique of four selected images, mentioning context and personal reactions.
- produce four of your own photographs with reference to the person's style.
- conclusion.
- bibliography and references etc.
Form V and V1
- 1 double and 3 single lessons = 3hrs 45mins.
All lessons are per week. All classes are mixed ability
Q-Set
- 1 double lesson = 1hr 30mins.
Excursions:
Drawing/painting and Museum/Gallery trips are an important part of the year and are undertaken as often as possible. These trips are an invaluable resource and also give the pupils a grasp of what is going on outside of the classroom. We also invite professional Artists to lecture and provide workshops for the pupils.Exhibitions:
The Art Rooms are the primary exhibition space for pupils work, regular changing of pieces displayed is important, there are also areas around the college where pupils work can be hung for example in the boarding houses and dining hall. There are two display cabinets in the Buttery passage where 'Photo' of the week and photographs of pupils work and work in progress are displayed. In addition to the ongoing display of pupils work there are two major exhibitions during the academic year the first is toward the end of Michaelmas Term in the Big School Room and is a display selected from the Junior Certificate projects and examination work from the previous June. The second event is held during the Hilary term and is also held in the BSR this is an exhibition of selected work from all forms and is adjudicated by a visiting Artist who also gives an enlightening lecture to all on 'their life as a professional Artist'. Prizes are awarded at Junior and Senior level in Art, Craft and Photography during this evening.
Members of Department:
Head of Department: Peter Watts: Bachelor of Fine Art (Ceramics) Hdip.ADE
History and Appreciation of Art
Aims and objectives
- To foster an interest and enthusiasm for Art History
- To prepare pupils for the Leaving Certificate examination (which is worth 38% of their overall mark)
- To provide an introduction to the academic study of Art History including its specialist vocabulary and concepts, to study aspects of the visual culture in fields such as architecture, sculpture and painting in historical, cultural and aesthetic context.
- To encourage students to develop an interest in diverse aspects of visual experience, develop critical visual 'reading' skills and the ability to formulate their own opinions and give expression to these responses.
Organisation
History and Appreciation of Art is taught in the Senior Cycle as part of the Leaving Certificate course. It is taught in mixed ability groups of between 8 - 16 in size. There is one double lesson a week devoted to its study. It is notable that several pupils every year decide to embark on a degree course in Art History. In the Leaving Certificate examination (2 hours, 30 minutes) candidates are required to answer three essay questions on each of the three sections of the syllabus.
Syllabus
The three fields of special study covered by the examination are as follows:
Section I-Art in Ireland (from prehistoric times to the present)
Section II - European Art (from 1000 A.D to the present)
Section III - Under the general heading General Appreciation students are given the opportunity to examine and discuss topics based on every-day visual experience in their own environment.
The syllabus is huge and this means in practice that selection is necessary. At St.Columba's we study aspects of Irish art including prehistoric art of the Neolithic period, art in the Iron Age, Celtic art, the art of the Early and later Christian periods in Form V.We aim to visit such places as the National Museum and Newgrange to enhance and develop visual awareness and knowledge. This study of Irish art is followed by a study of the Early and High Renaissance in Form V. We study the work of such artists as Giotto, Donatello, Masaccio, Uccello, Botticelli, Piero della Francesca as well as Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael, Durer and Holbein. In relation to each artist we are concerned with answering questions such as:
- How did the artist come to create his work?
- What materials, techniques and methods did he use?
- How did he develop and exercise his skills? Who were his patrons and teachers?
- What historical forces shaped his oeuvre?
- What significant innovations did he make and how did his creations affect the future development of art?
In Form VI we return to the study of Irish art and examine the development of Georgian architecture in Ireland attempting to visit as many sites as possible. Finally, we return to the study of the European art of the Baroque period and study the output of artists such as Caravaggio, Rubens, Bernini, Rembrandt and Vermeer.
Throughout the course we spend time looking at aspects of visual culture in everyday life examining such topics as poster, theatrical set design, the development of design in objects such as chairs, bags etc and the design of building. Here the emphasis is decidedly on allowing students to formulate their own response and opinions.
Assessment
Students prepare essays on most of the subjects that are covered which are marked and the pupils are provided with suggestions for improvement. Effort grades are regularly given and are based on written work and classroom performance. An examination is set every term in order to allow pupils to consolidate their knowledge and monitor their performance. Prognostications of likely grades are also regularly given which enables the student to evaluate his/her performance
Resources
- Our well-endowed Library offers a wealth of resources and opportunities for students to develop their interests.
- The Department makes extensive use of I.T. and most of the lessons are delivered using power-point presentations.
Other:
We are very keen that students have a first-hand experience of the subjects which we study and many excursions are organised to places such as the Casino at Marino, Collins Barracks, the National Gallery and National Museum as well as more far-flung destinations. In 2008 we will visit Florence and Venice in order to sample the delights and treasures of those culturally-rich and beautiful cities for ourselves. Pupils are encouraged to visit galleries and museums independently and many do!
Teacher of Art History:
Mrs Marie Haslett
