FINAR604 FAS: Sunday School

Sunday School is the generic name for many different types of religious education pursued on Sundays. Taking place outside of one's formal education, instruction typically centers on esoteric ideas, issues of belief, and how meaning is constructed. Led by Stacen Berg, Assistant Curator at the Wattis Institute, this course is a setting for conversation between students and a monthly visiting artist. Students are encouraged to generate a discussion that expands outside of the issues and concerns commonly discussed in an academic setting by asking a series of questions intended to pursue each artist's motivation in their life, as well as their work. Sunday School will use the framework of The Exhibition Formerly Known as Passengers at the Wattis Institute to provide an opportunity for students to engage with artists in the early stages of establishing their careers in an informal setting. From 2:00pm to 5:00 pm on the first Sunday of each month, students will meet with the artist presenting a solo show in The Exhibition Formerly Known as Passengers at a location in San Francisco selected by the artist. The location will serve as the setting for a discussion based on students' questions. In advance of the class meeting, the artist may suggest readings for students to inform the discussion as well. Completing the cycle of exchange, The Exhibition Formerly Known as Passengers artist will also conduct a one-on-one studio visit with each student on the first Tuesday and Wednesday of the month providing important feedback on each student's work. The Exhibition Formerly Known as Passengers presents the work of emerging international artists who have not had a solo exhibition in a US public art institution. For The Exhibition Formerly Known as Passengers the Wattis Upper Gallery is divided into two separate spaces: a white cube at the center of the space that contains a solo presentation and a group exhibition surrounding it. Every four weeks one of the artists from the group show will move into the solo space and after the month ends will leave both shows completely. Small Talks is a monthly program where each solo artist gives a public gallery talk prior to the opening reception of their exhibition. Small Talks is held at 7:00pm on the first Tuesday of each month and attendance is a requirement of this course.