Foundation Semester for Art Program
Spring Semester, Academic year 2016/2017
The Foundation Semester for Art is a preparatory programme designed for those who
seek to start their Bachelor’s studies in 2017 February at one of Metropolitan’s art
departments. The course plan extends to all fields of art currently offered as BA
programmes including filmmaking, graphic design, animation, media design,
photography and more. Foundation semester students will familiarise with the
terminology of art related professional dialogue as well as the hands-on approach of
different ways of artistic expression by visiting studios, galleries and workshops.
Curriculum
VISUAL ARTS 360°
This itinerant course is designed to give a full view of the contemporary art life which
students will join after the foundation semester. During the 12-week-course students
visit all the 12 Bachelor sections of the art institutes of the university. These are the
following: animation, design and art theory, electronic illustration, photography,
cameraman studies, visual presentation (painting), craftsmanship, environmental
design, media design, film and media studies, television production arts, and graphic
design. As part of the course, students are given the admittance to selected exhibition
openings and special workshops. (2 hours/week)
FOUNDATIONS OF CONTEMPORARY ART
Based on the wide range of cultures represented on the course we’d like to establish a
common understanding of visual arts. A number of aspects must be explored so that
the foundations of Western art are revealed as a possible form of intercultural
communication. We course focuses on the connection between classical Western art
and contemporary tendencies. The students will regularly visit workshops, museums,
galleries, studios and other venues where visual art projects are implemented for
different purposes. (2 hours/week)
CREATIVE VISUAL STUDIES
The students will be introduced the basics of the Visual Studies. The aims of the course:
understanding and use the visual language(s) in different media, understanding the
process of the visual perception, understanding the methods and function of visual
representation in the context of the culture by short lectures followed individual and team
work, soluted practical tasks. (4 hours/week)
Further (optional) subjects
Further elective subjects from the field of film and media, photography, animation, and
graphic design.
GRAPHIC DESIGN WORKSHOP 1
Focusing on the traditional analog printing techniques, we also explore the new
possibilities of graphic and printmaking and illustration design mixing the analog and
digital technologies.
The main topic of the course: introduction into major techniques of printmaking: relief
processes (lino cut, woodcut, letterpress printing), intaglio processes (engraving,
drypoint, etching, aquatint, mezzotint), planographic printing techniques (litography,
serigraphy, monotype). Experimental techniques frottage, rust print, colagraph etc.).
History of the techniques, contemporary examples.
Papers, inks, colors, tools, printing machines, technologies.
HISTORY OF GRAPHIC DESIGN
An introduction to the history of graphic design with a slight touch of the “big” art history
(to put everything into context). Emphasis on main time periods, graphic design types
and styles picking a subjective set of the most important graphic designers from
Toulouse-Lautrec to the contemporary artists.
KUBRICK'S CENTURY
Stanley Kubrick was not just one of the greatest and most influential filmmakers of the
20th century but also a true historiographer of it. The course follows the events and the
cultural Zeitgeist of the century through Kubrick's filmography in reverse order, from
Eyes Wide Shut to Spartacus.
DRAMATURGY, SCREEN WRITING
Introduction to key elements of storytelling, elements of a dramatic narrative, analysis
of character and story. Analysis of screenplay and screen structure. Understanding the
way how stories work, how to choose the right idea for a screenplay, how to develop
characters, and how to put together a story for a feature film. Introduction to editing a
rewriting a screenplay.
INTRODUCTION TO LITERATURE
The course introduces students to some of the best literature written in the 20th century.
We will read both classics and contemporary authors. When reading and analysing texts
we will focus on i) how these works represent the "world" and "life" and ii) how they
themselves create a fictional universe. Works written in English will be read in their
original, works written in other languages will be read in English translation. The
selection will cover a very wide range of texts from various geographical locations. Good
working knowledge of written English is highly recommended.
SCULPTURES (ANIMATION)
Course description will be available soon.