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VC 54
Relative to You: Representing Scale in Art and Science
6 units (3-0-3)  | third term
The relationship to scale is an essential component that both artists and scientists contend with. How do we conceptualize the very, very large and the very, very small and even more challenging, how do we represent extreme scales of size or time in an understandable and meaningful way? The focus of this course explores the various ways art and science grapple with scale and find ways to communicate that scale. This course will take an interdisciplinary approach in thinking and making to include history, theory, and the creation of artwork. Each student will use their major as the bounding point to explore what scale means in their discipline to conceptualize three key themes in the course: mapping, size, and time. In lectures, readings, and writing, students will explore the trajectory and visual histories of scale between the interconnections of art and science. The course will include regular drawing assignments as a tool to visualize thinking. Students will have the autonomy to create their projects in the medium of their choice (sculpture, painting, video, or creative use of technology to make an artwork). Course will contain drawing and making demos, no previous art experience required. This course will include a field trip to Mt. Wilson Observatory for a night of observing on the 60" telescope and other campus field trips to Caltech labs, including the LIGO 40-meter prototype. Not offered 2020-21.
Instructor: Halloran