ART 204 - Wearable Art

Wearable art exists at the nexus of sculpture, costume, fashion, and performance. This course will explore basic fabrication strategies that utilize sewing, body casting, found objects, textiles, cardboard, and plastics as art-making materials. Discussions and assignments will consider the impact of cultural constructs and social contexts regarding the body, identity, fashion, costumes, and the theatrics of public space. With each project, the body will become a canvas to experiment with various adornments, appendages, prosthetics, movement, and interaction. By inhabiting their works, students become performers, superheroes, mascots, and cultural icons. Reading, writing, and presentations will cover historical movements and contemporary examples of wearable art forms.

Through investigations of the body as a source of content and context we will explore modes of art such as performance, sculpture, interactivity, and site-specificity. Students will also develop the practical skills needed to create original artwork that unites inquiry and research with experimental processes and communication. Students do not need to have a background in art to be successful in this course. Course Typically Offered: Every other year.

Prerequisite(s): None

Credits: 3