cepa SUMMER INSTITUTES

CFT/ARU 542:
Tabletop Project
July 15 - 26, 2013

KUTZTOWN UNIVERSITY is pleased to offer an intensive ten day, tabletop research project.  Using the table as a platform for exploration, the project investigates the design, selection and arrangement of objects, with the aim of producing a specific experience for participants at the table. 

People come together at the table to eat, drink, and socialize, for both everyday and special occasions. Historically, artists and designers have approached this ritual in literal, metaphorical, and fantastical ways – from the charged politics of Judy Chicago, to the Mad Hatter’s tea party of Alice in Wonderland, to the organic modern products of industrial designer Eva Zeisel. 

With a specific effect as his/her goal, how does a designer create a sensation, invoke a particular feeling, or reference a time/place?  What thoughtful choices can contribute to, create, or detract from an overall experience?  What factors can be considered in order to support a vision?

In this experiential design project, any aspect of the setting can be a vehicle to establish the artist/ designer’s vision.  Like setting the stage for a play with lighting and costume, we can design, develop and choose objects for tabletop, to provide a stage for experience.  Participants will use their own chosen media and work to explore the context of table, place and ritual.

STUDY INSTITUTE PROGRAM

This institute is designed to offer ten days of concentrated studio involvement for the artist interested in The Tabletop as place for research and investigation.  The institute will meet from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday, July 15 – 26, 2013; in the Fibers Studio, 121 Sharadin Art Building.  Class enrollment is limited to 15 students.  Limited enrollment for Act 48 non-credit students.

INSTITUTE FACULTY

Michael Radyk, Professor of Art and coordinator of the Fibers Program at Kutztown University.  His most recent solo exhibition was held at the McLanahan Gallery in the Miscaigna at Penn State University in 2012. Recent group exhibitions include New Weave:  Five Contemporary Weavers at the Common Wealth Gallery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, and in 2010 Michael’s digitally designed textiles were exhibited in a show called Binary Fiction:  Digital Weaving at the Eisentrager-Howard Gallery, University of Nebraska.

Chriss Slevin is New York based artist, author and designer with an extensive background in tabletop design, color, product development and prototyping.  She is a graduate of Rhode Island School of Design.  For five years Chriss was Director of Product Development at Chilewich, Inc. a company specializing in products using a variety of new materials and production processes including: weaving, molded vinyl, needle punch, digital printing, hand silk screening, tufting, knitting, coatings, ultrasonic welding, and embroidery.

ACT 48 hours available for credit and noncredit options. For an itemized list of the fee/tuition charges and ACT 48 information please see the Art Education and Crafts web site.

HOUSING

Students are encouraged to room on campus, in handicapped-accessible facilities, so they benefit from interaction with colleagues. Room fee includes housing in Golden Bear South Village and linens (2 sheets, 2 towels, 1 washcloth, pillow and blankets).

Room:  Twelve nights (Sunday - Thursday) $352.25

Send Institute Registration Form and check to the Registrar’s Office, Administration Building, Room 115, Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA, 19530 by June 1, 2013.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Prof. Michael Radyk and Chris Slevin
Tabletop Project
Department of Art Education and Crafts
Kutztown University
Kutztown, PA 19530
PHONE: (610) 683-4506 FAX: (610) 683-4502
E-MAIL: radyk@kutztown.edu