Collaboration between Department of Photography and Media Arts and the National Museum of Australia
In the first semester of 2009 second year photography and digital media students collaborated with the National Museum of Australia to deliver a showcase of creative works inspired by the museum’s rec ently opened permanent gallery, Australian Journeys.
Using material provided by the NMA as a starting point, students developed creative responses across a range of media: photography, animation, video, sound and web. Adam Blackshaw and Karina West from the NMA attended work-in-progress sessions and offered critical feedback to assist students in the development of their work.
Upon completion of the works, Adam and Karina assisted department staff in selecting a number of works for publication the NMA’s website. Selected works were also shown in an exhibition curated by lecturer Marcia Lochhead, which was held in the Photospace gallery and opened by Adam Blackshaw.
The project was deemed a huge success, with both parties keen to pursue further opportunities for collaboration in 2010.
To visit the NMA website,please click here
The Digital Media Major
Focuses on digital video, computer animation, networked art and electronic sound. Emerging aspects of digital media such as networked systems, distributive technologies, and installation are also explored. Students will gain a general grounding in video, animation, sound and the internet and will then be able to specialize in one area of expertise. They have access to extensive audio-visual recording and production studios, and are encouraged to participate in exhibitions and performances, and the recording, publishing and performance of new media and time-based arts.
Professional training
We place great emphasis on professional training. Students learn about applying for grants; working collaboratively; working with large institutions or with the community; project management; the verbal expression of their ideas; and the presentation of professional portfolios and show reels. We don't train our students for just one kind of job, or teach them to work in an already familiar style. Rather we give them both the technical and conceptual tools to develop their own set of interests and an original visual vocabulary. These can then be applied and extended in a wide variety of personal and professional contexts in the creative arts and new media industries.
We encourage our students to enrich their ideas and develop their skills by researching the wider cultural context of their work. All our lecturing staff have nationally and internationally recognised careers as artists and media makers, and all have independent research interests in contemporary visual culture.
Careers
Graduates from Photography and Media Arts go on to be practicing visual artists, filmmakers, animators, sound artists, and new media artists.
Our students place their work in a national and international context. Photography and Media Arts often hosts significant international visiting artist for extended periods of time, and students have the opportunity to study at major art schools in Paris, Berlin, Glasgow, Vancouver, Alberta, Chicago, Kyoto, Valencia and other centres of contemporary art.
Facilities
The department has an extensive complex of up to date computer labs with peripherals and software; well equipped colour and black and white darkrooms; a suite of sound and video recording and editing studios; a professional lighting studio; two student galleries for exhibitions of art works and new media works; generous student work spaces; and specialist research facilities such as an inkjet research facility for wide format printing on a variety of materials.
In addition to the Bachelor of Visual Arts Photomedia Major and the Digital Media Major, the department also teaches the specialist Master of New Media Arts and the Master of Visual Effects. As well Master of Visual Arts and Master of Arts students pursue coursework programs in the department, while Master of Philosophy and PhD students pursue high-level research programs in a wide variety of areas. The School of Art is a unique and exciting interdisciplinary environment for the use of computers by artists and creative professionals interested in exploring the full potential of emerging technologies and new media.