This course offers a foundation in visual art practice and its critical analysis for beginning architecture students. The structure and content of the course parallel 4.301, Introduction to the Visual Arts, but with an emphasis on long-range artistic development and its analogies to architectural thinking and practice. Students learn to communicate their ideas and experiences through various two-dimensional, three-dimensional and time-based media, including installation, performance, video, and computer imaging. Projects evolve through stages of conceptual and material development to final presentation and critical discussion.

Lectures, Visiting Artist presentations, field trips and readings supplement studio practice, providing an index to the historical, cultural and environmental forces that affect both the development of artistic vision and the reception of the work of art. Lab fee.

The course meets twice a week, three hours each session for 12 units of credit. A maximum of six hours per week of outside class work is expected. At least three studio projects must be completed for the course of study. Student evaluation is based on individual development of artistic concepts, technical facility, quality of class presentations and participation in group critiques and class discussions. Readings are assigned that provide a historical and theoretical framework for each studio project. Writing projects related to studio production can be required at the discretion of the professor.