CCA News
SUMMER ABROAD IN ICELAND
Posted on Monday, January 30, 2012, by Carol Pitts
ICELAND: Reykjavik and the Icelandic West
Instructor: John Zurier
Orientation: Sat, April 8, 2012
May 21–June 10, 2012
Description
This course concentrates on the relationship of nature to creativity and art. Open to all disciplines and to both graduates and undergraduates, this three-week course brings students in contact with the nature and culture of Iceland.
Volcanoes, glaciers, geysers, hot springs, waterfalls, lava fields, grassy meadows, beaches—Iceland’s extraordinary range of terrain is like nowhere else. And in midsummer it is mostly light with a few hours of luminous twilight. This small island country of 320,000 people has produced many notable artists, writers, and musicians and attracted others from around the world. As part of the course, we immerse ourselves in the art, music, and literature of and about Iceland.
Our focus is on the experience, perception, and sensation of nature as a primary source for the exploration of new work. Participants are encouraged to pursue individual projects corresponding to their observations of the landscape and the phenomena of nature. Students divide their time between exploring the environment, participating in daily discussions, and using a variety of methods and materials to record their impressions as resource material for future work.
The course begins with five days in Reykjavik, the northernmost capital city in the world and urban center of Iceland. Our introduction to the city and Icelandic art and culture coincides with the Reykjavik Arts Festival. Participants visit the National Museum of Iceland; Nordic House; the Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies; ASÍ Art Museum, the Reykjavik Art Museums, Kjarvalsstadir and Hafnarhus; and visit the studios of Icelandic artists.
Students then travel to the wilderness of the west coast of Iceland—the Snæfellsnes peninsula—including the extraordinary Snæfellsjökull volcano and glacier, famous as the setting of Jules Verne’s Journey to the Center of the Earth. The area surrounding Snæfellsjökull is one of the four National Parks of Iceland. Snæfellsnes Community has recently become the first Green Globe Certified Community in Europe, one of only four in the world.
For two weeks the class is based in Snæfellsnes on a horse farm, within walking distance of beaches, mountains, lava fields, and natural hot springs. In this beautiful remote location we engage in a period of focused work apart from the everyday world, with all meals provided. Participants also take several day trips by mini-van to Snæfellsjökull and surrounding areas, Roni Horn’s Vatnasafn/Library of Water in Stykkishhólmer, Berrserkker’s lava fields, the holy mountain of Helgafell, and other locations.
The class returns to Reykjavik for two more days of exploring the city and visiting museums such as The Living Museum; the National Gallery of Iceland; Reykjavik Museum of Photography; galleries and artist-run spaces like Kling & Bang; the Kolaportid Flea Market; and HARPA, the new concert hall with glass façade by artist Ólafur Elíasson.
Read CCA Graduate Program in Fine Arts student Lindsey Lyons' account of her experience in last summer's Iceland course.
Prerequisites
Undergraduates: completion of sophomore level by summer 2012 and instructor approval.
Graduates: instructor approval
In addition all students must be in good academic, conduct, and financial standing for the 2011–12 academic year.
Course Satisfies
For undergraduates, this course satisfies a Studio Elective or Upper Division Interdisciplinary Studio.
For painting undergraduates, this course satisfies compositional studies or workshop units.
For graduate students, this course satisfies a Grad-wide Elective or studio practice.
Program Fee
$4,600 + $50 summer registration fee
Program fee includes:
3 units, housing, studio, 14 days of three meals a day while staying at Lysuholl Farm, 2 guest lectures, museum entrance fees, local transportation, and field trips
Program fee does not include:
Airfare to and from Iceland, meals for seven days while in Reykjavik, travel insurance, medical or personal insurance (students must provide their own insurance)
Please make sure you read the related links in full:
Registration
Financial Aid
Passport, Visa, and Insurance
Code of Conduct
In-person registration begins on Thursday, March 1, for all summer study abroad courses. Students should register no later than Friday, March 30.
Enrollment is limited. Interested students should contact John Zurier, right away to start the approval process for registration.
All CCA Summer Study Abroad courses (including the New Mexico and New York Studios) are coordinated by the Office of Special Programs.
Questions
Office of Special Programs
Oakland campus, Ralls 201
Nina Sadek
Dean of Special Programs
510.594.3773
nsadek@cca.edu
Carol Pitts
Assistant to the Dean of Special Programs
510.594.3732
cpitts@cca.edu