Grad Wide Elective - GE: Ecological Objects[GELCT-6600-03 or MARCH-6260-03]  As part of CCA’s Ecopoesis Project (co-developed by CCA’s Architectural Ecologies Lab and MFA Writing), this graduate seminar explores contemporary ecological theory, pertinent writings, and how to deepen a speculative design/art practice on, and with, environmental subjects.  Architects, designers, and artists construct polemic objects or speculative representations (also objects) to spur discourse regarding culture’s evolving relationship to environment.  Ranging from the awe of the sublime, advocacy for conservation, to memorializing loss, singular works of art and design perform as speculations to champion or critique humanity’s experience, use, or care of the non-human environment.  As we consider the possibilities of ecological and social transformation within today’s climate milieu, what are today’s objects of/for environmental speculation/critique?The seminar will discuss readings from theorists, architects, and artists that present different approaches to contemporary environmental speculation.  The class will visit and study the work from two current museum exhibitions and participate in the planned fall CCA Ecopoesis symposium, keynoted by theorist/artist Joanna Zylinska.  Semester-long individual student projects will focus on an analysis and speculation of a single ‘ecological object,’ an artifact that demonstrates a changing dialogue between environmental and cultural/societal/technological exchange. This graduate seminar is designed to include students from all graduate programs, especially those interested how theoretical ecological understandings can deepen a student’s speculative practice.

Visit Workday to view this information.