Live!: A History of Art for Artists Animators and Gamers

Course Overview

Live!: A History of Art for Artists Animators and Gamers is a course that provides an overview of the history of art from the perspective of contemporary makers of art, animators, and gamers. Through video lectures, interactive quizzes, and independent sketchbook and field work, students will gain a background in a wide range of visual practices and a greater familiarity with techniques of historical analysis. The course will help to build skills in visual analysis and provide insight into the creative culture of CalArts. Students will explore how artists actively make a history for their own practices by thinking about the creative process as a “conversation” with a wide range of art from the past. Animators will learn how to “write” the largely unwritten history of their art through quotation, transposition and mash-ups. Gamers will gain an understanding of why they should look at classical painting.

[Applications]

Upon completion of this course, students should be able to apply the knowledge they have gained to their own creative practices. They should be able to identify and analyze the historical influences in their own work, as well as the work of others. They should also be able to use the techniques of visual analysis to better understand the creative process. Additionally, they should be able to use the knowledge they have gained to create more informed and meaningful artworks.

[Career Paths]
1. Art Historian: Art Historians are responsible for researching, analyzing, and interpreting the history of art. They study the development of art from its beginnings to the present day, and use their knowledge to inform their own work. Art Historians often work in museums, galleries, and universities, and are often involved in the curation of exhibitions. As the art world continues to expand and evolve, Art Historians are in high demand to help interpret and contextualize the work of contemporary artists.

2. Animator: Animators create animated images and videos for a variety of media, including film, television, video games, and websites. They use a variety of techniques, such as hand-drawn animation, computer-generated imagery, and stop-motion animation, to create their work. Animators must have a strong understanding of the principles of animation, as well as a good eye for detail and a creative imagination. As the demand for animation continues to grow, Animators are in high demand to create engaging and visually stunning content.

3. Game Designer: Game Designers are responsible for creating the rules and mechanics of video games. They must have a strong understanding of game theory, as well as a good eye for detail and a creative imagination. Game Designers must also be able to work with a team of developers to create a cohesive and engaging game experience. As the gaming industry continues to grow, Game Designers are in high demand to create innovative and engaging games.

4. Art Educator: Art Educators are responsible for teaching art to students of all ages. They must have a strong understanding of art history, as well as a good eye for detail and a creative imagination. Art Educators must also be able to work with a variety of students to create a stimulating and engaging learning environment. As the demand for art education continues to grow, Art Educators are in high demand to help students develop their creative skills.

[Education Paths]
1. Bachelor of Arts in Art History: A Bachelor of Arts in Art History is a great way to gain an understanding of the history of art and its development over time. This degree path will provide students with a comprehensive overview of the history of art, from the ancient world to the present day. Students will learn about the various art movements, styles, and techniques used throughout history, as well as the social and political contexts in which they were created. Additionally, students will gain an understanding of the various methods used to analyze and interpret art, such as formal analysis, iconography, and semiotics. This degree path is ideal for those interested in pursuing a career in art history, museum curation, or art criticism.

2. Bachelor of Arts in Animation: A Bachelor of Arts in Animation is a great way to gain an understanding of the art of animation and its development over time. This degree path will provide students with a comprehensive overview of the history of animation, from the early days of hand-drawn animation to the modern era of computer-generated animation. Students will learn about the various techniques used to create animation, such as traditional hand-drawn animation, stop-motion animation, and computer-generated animation. Additionally, students will gain an understanding of the various methods used to analyze and interpret animation, such as storyboarding, character design, and visual effects. This degree path is ideal for those interested in pursuing a career in animation, game design, or visual effects.

3. Bachelor of Arts in Game Design: A Bachelor of Arts in Game Design is a great way to gain an understanding of the art of game design and its development over time. This degree path will provide students with a comprehensive overview of the history of game design, from the early days of board games to the modern era of video games. Students will learn about the various techniques used to create games, such as game mechanics, level design, and user interface design. Additionally, students will gain an understanding of the various methods used to analyze and interpret games, such as game theory, game analysis, and game criticism. This degree path is ideal for those interested in pursuing a career in game design, game development, or game studies.

4. Master of Arts in Art History: A Master of Arts in Art History is a great way to gain an advanced understanding of the history of art and its development over time. This degree path will provide students with a comprehensive overview of the history of art, from the ancient world to the present day. Students will learn about the various art movements, styles, and techniques used throughout history, as well as the social and political contexts in which they were created. Additionally, students will gain an understanding of the various methods used to analyze and interpret art, such as formal analysis, iconography, and semiotics. This degree path is ideal for those interested in pursuing a career in art history, museum curation, or art criticism.