Immersive Arts Field Teaching & Learning
IAFR course students with Unseen California artist in residence, Dionne Lee, at the Granite Mountains UC Natural Reserve in the Mojave Desert, Fall 2023 .Prof. Karolina Karlic and ProfJorge Menna Barreto
UCSC’s Immersive Arts Field Research course invites students to embark in field research, delving into the unique landscapes of California through the UC Natural Reserve System. This fall, the class traveled to the Ano Nuevo Natural Reserve and Pie Ranch. Through hands-on exploration, participants were prompted to forge a connection with the sites, unraveling the intricacies of site-specificity while cultivating their own inquiries about these locations. The journey unfolded against the backdrop of contemporary art concepts, with a focus on the intersection of land and artistic expression.
Throughout this course, students navigate and reflect upon the myriad factors that define a “site,” exploring how each location offers rich possibilities for creative engagement. The curriculum emphasizes the acquisition of research skills tailored to the historical, political, cultural, and environmental layers of each site. This multifaceted approach provides students with a foundation for generating arts research projects that challenge conventional notions of “nature” and “landscape.”
Central to the course is an exploration of urgent themes of our times, including California’s land, issues of access, and questions of equity. By examining these topics through the lens of arts discourse, students will gain a nuanced understanding of the complex interplay between art, environment, and society, fostering critical perspectives and encouraging innovative approaches to creative expression.
Edgar Cruz
“The photography research trips led by Karolina Karlic were one of the most impactful experiences in my undergraduate studies at UCSC. Studying both Art and Environmental Studies, these trips guided me towards an interdisciplinary research approach to photography. I was introduced to the UC Natural Reserve System, during my first photo research trip in the spring quarter of my second year, visiting the Big Creek Natural Reserve. I went in not knowing anyone at all, but by the end of it, I felt so loved and welcomed by my fellow art majors. This was the beginning of the community I built throughout my time in the art department. I was able to build a relationship with my photo professors, actively meeting with them one on one, and become an active member of the community. As an artist, these trips were really important in helping me question and explore the ideas behind my work, which was new for me at the time.”
Artwork by UCSC Art student: Edgar Cruz.
Unseen California fosters exchange learning opportunities for a diverse demographic undergraduate student group in the arts + sciences and is directly in conversation with the UCSC MFA in Environmental Arts and Social Practice. Topics of art + ecology are integrated with an undergraduate and graduate curriculum, that encourages field study based art research projects and offers students the experience of an outdoor classroom through hands-on training, active participation in data collection, and fieldwork opportunities. Learning is enhanced by research opportunities that provide an education committed to creating socially engaged work, in and around environmentally and socially engaged subjects. These include urgent topics such as: climate change, technology, land use, public policy, health, and ecology.
UCSC Art students at UC Big Creek Natural Reserve.
Artwork by UCSC Art student: Natalie Del Castillo
Undergraduate and Graduate participation inform and are informed by site specific reserve and art questions of scholarly interest, enhancing curriculum. This research initiative enables faculty to develop relationships with students that contribute to the way students interface with traditional classroom material, curriculum development, providing a deeper understanding of research based art practice by moving the classroom outdoors. Students gain a working familiarity with California’s diverse ecosystems while immersed in the UC Natural Reserve System’s classrooms without walls, providing a unique experience to public education in California and beyond.
Mallory Mahon
“I went into the UCSC Art Major as a Freshman in 2016 and graduated in 2020. I knew of the photo field trips to the UC Natural Reserves (Mojave and Big Sur), but never actually went on one until my third year of college. I wish I had gone sooner! I had never felt a stronger sense of community within the art department until I attended my first photo field trip. Spending a couple days living, exploring, eating together, and creating with people who have similar creative interests as you is a powerful learning experience. As a photographer, the world is my place to learn--not a classroom. The photo field trips to UC Natural Reserves were the most important part of my college education”
UCSC Art students, UC Granite Mountains Natural Reserve. Prof. Karolina Karlic and Prof. Norman Locks.
Brian Young
“ Exploring Big Sur, we discussed the local native flora/fauna and we put our recently acquired college-level art skills to use. Each person sharing their unique perspectives and techniques quickly created an enriching and welcoming environment. Dinners were especially joyous, everyone coming together as a family despite the little time we had together. These kinds of immersive experiences are essential for artists. Art is not always about the studio. There is some inspiration that only can be found out in the world.”
UCSC Art students, UC Big Creek Natural Reserve. Prof. Karolina Karlic and Prof. Norman Locks.
UCSC Art students at UC Granite Mountains Natural Reserve visiting the Kelso Sand Dunes in Mojave, CA. Prof. Karolina Karlic.