DMS 450

Film and Development of Contemporary Art or Art Practicing the Body

Caroline Koebel

T 6:00 -9:40pm

Reg.#356441

CFA 232

By Colin Hargraves

Pain, sex, love, lust, drugs, masochism, sadism, sadomasochism, artificial intelligence, and cross-dressing are just a few of the somewhat subversive subjects that Caroline Koebel's Art Practicing the Body (film & the development of contemporary art) delves into throughout the semester. I was lucky enough to take part in the class' maiden voyage last semester, and my only regret is that it's unfortunately over. The class functions as an interdisciplinary studio course which, in Koebel's words, "takes 'the body'--in its myriad senses, significations, and interpretations--as the basis for critical and aesthetic inquiry."

Class time is spent doing anything from viewing films, slides, and videos, to standing and reading aloud, listening to guest lecturers, dancing to African drum beats, viewing student works, and of course, discussion. The requirements for the course are realized through three assigned projects/problems, which can be solved by using any media the student desires. I witnessed solutions to these problems ranging from video and music manipulation, to poetry, dance, performance art, and even painting.

Rarely does a class break the imaginary boundaries which seem to be all too prevalent to any student of the arts at the University at Buffalo. Too often do I see students following the departmental tracks laid out for them by the administration, and surprisingly enough, it's rare to find a class that encourages freedom. This class pulled students from virtually every department of the CFA and encouraged a kind of collaboration of the arts, which I feel is essential to the development of an artist. I honestly left every class inspired to create something truly brilliant and felt like I actually could.