Summer Abroad in Oaxaca, Mexico

The Oaxaca Land Project

June 25—July 16, 2010

Instructor: Mie Preckler

Description

The Oaxaca Valley is an ancient landscape of cultural and ecological complexity that combines indigenous culture, a colonial heritage, and a vibrant contemporary art scene. As the heartland of the Zapotec and Mixtec people, it is one of the richest archeological regions in the world. The valley is surrounded by the majestic Sierra Madre del Sur mountains. Situated about 5000 feet above sea level, it enjoys temperate weather year round.

This three-week interdisciplinary studio class examines the effect of "place" on one’s creative practice and draws on Oaxaca’s storied central valley as the primary source for exploration of new work. The course explores the shifting relationship between “art” and “place,” and its progression from the monumental Land Art Movement of the 60s to contemporary artistic practices that stress a consciousness and personal responsibility to honor local history, culture, and sustainability.

Students are encouraged to pursue projects across various disciplines, using Oaxaca’s cultural and geographical diversity to inspire and infuse their work. Local artists, archeologists, anthropologists, and ethno-botanists join the class for field trips and lectures that expand the interdisciplinary conversation by introducing a range of perspectives on issues and practices related to land and land use.

The primary focus of the class is the individual pursuit of a working understanding of the land itself. However, this pursuit of “personal” understanding does not exclude the opportunity for collaborative and cross-cultural projects.

Ample studio space and comfortable accommodations are provided at the Ex-Hacienda de Guadelupe, a restored 18th-century farmhouse in the central valley town Tlacochahuaya, 20 minutes outside Oaxaca. A cultural Mecca and a culinary hub, Oaxaca has fused a rich indigenous food heritage with colonial Spanish traditions to create "slow food at its best." Mirroring Oaxacan culture, the Ex-Hacienda provides students a three-course lunch as the main meal of the day.

Mexico x 2
Two summer study-abroad courses in Mexico are scheduled one week apart. This schedule allows students who wish to spend more time in Mexico immersed in the country and culture the opportunity to do so while earning a total of 6 credits. Students have the opportunity to travel on their own during the one week between programs or to remain at the Ex-Hacienda for an additional fee.

About the Instructor

Mie Preckler is a visual artist who works primarily in the area of site installations and interventions. Her work has been shown widely in the United States, South America, and Europe. She is a professor of art at CCA.

Preckler has received numerous awards and honors, including a National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship, a Phyllis C. Wattis Foundation Fellowship, and residencies at Yaddo, Djerassi, the Headlands Center for the Arts, and the Instituto Sacatar in Brazil. Since 2002 she has been working on a large-scale site intervention, A Conversation with the Gravelpit, at I-Park in Connecticut. Her recent work deals with issues related to water and land.

If interested, contact Mie Preckler at mpreckler@cca.edu. To see Mie Preckler's work, visit her website.

Prerequisites

Undergraduates: Completion of sophomore level by summer 2010 and instructor approval.
Graduates: instructor approval

In addition students must be in good academic, conduct, and financial standing for the 2009–10 academic year.

Course Satisfies

For undergraduates, this course satisfies a studio elective requirement or, for students who achieve junior or senior standing by the end of spring 2010, this course may be applied toward an upper division Interdisciplinary studio requirement.

For graduates this course satisfies a graduatewide elective.

Program Fee

$4,350 + $50 summer registration fee
Program fee includes:
3 units, housing: dorm-style room (shared with 3 to 4 students), breakfast and lunch, museum / field-trip entry fees, and local transportation

Program fee does not include:
Airfare to and from Mexico, dinners, off-hour transportation, travel insurance, medical or personal insurance (students must provide their own insurance)

Meals

Breakfast and lunch are provided at the house. Dinner may be purchased as an optional service (approximately $8–10).

Transportation

Transportation for workshop-related travel is provided free of charge. For a round-trip fee of $4 per person, daily transportation to Oaxaca for personal/recreational purposes is available until 11 p.m. Individual cabs also can be hired for $25 round-trip fee. Daily public transportation also is available until 9 p.m. for $5 round-trip fee (but a much longer travel time). Fees quoted above are subject to change.

Eligibility

This course is designed for current CCA degree students; however, students from other AICAD schools may be able to enroll on a space available basis after March 31. If you are not a CCA degree student and are interested in enrolling, please contact the Office of Special Programs at 510.594.3710.