Christian Ard, Student Work

DO NOT FORGET

A Site-Specific Art Work

St. Augustine, Florida

April 2018

I highlighted civil rights by creating a replica of the podium that was used by Martin Luther King Jr. to deliver his "I Have A Dream" speech. I decided to incorporate sound into the piece since I was setting up in a busy, public space. I wanted MLK’s voice to be heard among a crowd of present day visitors to St. Augustine. I made an audio file that included excerpts of MLK's speech and MLK speaking to the owner of the Monsoon Motor Lodge in St. Augustine. I looped the video and placed a Bluetooth speaker inside the podium.

The Monsoon Motor Lodge in St. Augustine is a nationally recognized site of racial discrimination. The owner of the lodge poured acid in the pool while African Americans were swimming. MLK visited the site and held a peaceful protest in response to segregation and was later arrested for his action of protesting. 

I chose to present this piece at the site of the Fredrick Douglas Marker on St. George Street. Frederick Douglas played an important role in the ending of slavery. Douglas visited St. Augustine and spoke about emancipation. The marker on St. George Street acknowledges his presence. 

After an hour and fifteen minutes at the Frederick Douglas Marker, two police officers approached me and I was asked to remove the podium. At a later date, I re-assembled the podium and photographed it front of the house that MLK stayed at during a visit to St. Augustine. 

Annie Thompson, Student Work

SHE IS WE

A Site-Specific Art Work

Corazon Cinema and Cafe, St. Augustine, Florida

2018

Link below to watch the video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Kvi2-KinxM&t=6s

Statement:
The piece consisted of a video presented in the Corazon Cinema and Cafe. The video was looped on the public able to view during First Friday Art Walk. 

The video showcases the depiction of women throughout film history. Inspired by the history of the site as a movie house, I created a short film that highlighted female roles in cinematic history. Prior to housing the Corazon Cinema and Cafe, the building housed Pot Belly's Theater. The history of the building is rooted in a site that functioned as a visual culture source for the community of St. Augustine. The power of film to relay messages about social constructs while providing moments of entertainment is significant to the medium.  

As a woman, I felt a necessary impulse to promote positivity that uplifts the female gender. Currently in 2018, much unsettling news about sexual harassment and assault has come to light. The "Me Too" movement was birthed from the wretched acts of assault against woman. Although these unfortunate truths need to be exposed, I have felt a weighted grief that these situations even exist, and in such a commonly high quantity. Thus, She Is Weis a video that brings a sense of contentedness and positivity to the viewer. Connections between clips and the diverse characters that women play allow the viewer to feel a deep sense of celebration for the glory that woman are. I aim to expose the many contributions women have made to film. 

Corazon Cinema and Cafe

The building when it was Pot Belly's. 

Installation and Site-Specific Spring 2019

Assignment Guidelines and Visual Examples located here on the class blog. Search the right column for the following categories:

• Installation in Art Building Guidelines
• Installation Student Work
• Installation Artists
• Site-Specific Public Art Project
• Site-Specific Student Work
• Site-Specific Artists
• Read, Make, Discuss
• Read, Make, Discuss Student Work
• 30 Minute Interior Installation
• 30 Minute Interior Student Work
• 30 Minute Exterior Installation
• 30 Minute Exterior Student Work
• Million Dollar Project

We are reading from the following books this semester. 

All three books available in the Flagler College Book Store. 

Million Dollar Project

Assignment:

• You have been awarded a million dollars to create an indoor installation. 
• Location and materials are your choice. Note - location does not have to actually exist. Since we are imagining the million dollar award, we can imagine the location too. 
• Create a presentation that outlines your idea and present to the class. Use your class blog to post all the information required. See below.
• The class will function as the Board of Directors (the folks who awarded you the money). Therefore, be prepared for many questions. 

What to include in the presentation:

• An image of the location (without the artwork). 
• Sketches/drawings of your idea in the location. 
• The following information:
• Why/how the location is important to the idea. 
• What you want the viewer to gain from the experience of viewing/interacting with the installation. 
• Logistics such as what materials will you use, do you need heavy equipment, will you be constructing additional walls, will you need technology, is there a sound component, etc...
• Two inspiration artists. For each artist include:
• The name of the artist. 
• At least one image of their work. 
• You can find examples of installation artists here on the class blog, right column, under the category "Installation Artists". OR You can search on-line. OR you can check out my Pinterest Board, "Installation Art". 

Read, Make, Discuss

Assignment Overview:

• Weekly readings are scheduled during the first half the semester.
• Students will be scheduled to lead at least two in class reading discussions.
• Each student required to make "something" in response to the weekly reading. 
• Bring what you make to the discussion. 
• A handout will be posted on CANVAS that lists the readings, due dates and evaluation criteria. 

What to post on your blog:

• Select three of your best pieces. 
• Professionally photograph each piece. 
• Include a title, medium, date and dimensions. 
• Include an excerpt from the reading. Put the excerpt in quotes and include the title of the book and author. 
• Write a brief artist statement about the work.