KAB250 Contemporary Art: Installation and Exhibition Practice
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | KAB250 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | 24cp of completed study from KAB1% or KVB% units |
| Assumed Knowledge: | Independent creative practice with portfolio of artworks exploring diverse media; introductory knowledge of relevant historical and theoretical contexts in contemporary art. |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
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| CSP student contribution | $1,192 |
| Pre-2021 CSP student contribution | $1,020 The pre-2021 commonwealth supported place (CSP) contribution amount only applies to students enrolled in a course prior to 2021. To learn more, visit our Understanding your fees page. |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,704 |
| International unit fee | $4,944 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2026, Kelvin Grove, Internal
| Unit code: | KAB250 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | 24cp of completed study from KAB1% or KVB% units |
| Assumed Knowledge: | Independent creative practice with portfolio of artworks exploring diverse media; introductory knowledge of relevant historical and theoretical contexts in contemporary art. |
| Coordinator: | Rae Haynes | r.haynes@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This unit is focused on developing independent practice in contemporary art and building conceptual and practical skills in installation art and the presentation of exhibitions. Installation and exhibition practice involves understanding the complex inter-relationships between materiality, site and audiences. Contemporary artists explore site-responsive and context-specific ways of working, expanded approaches to materiality, process and scale, and interactive or participatory modes of engaging audiences. This unit will frame installation and exhibition practice by exploring creative and critical approaches to gallery contexts and investigating the ways in which artists frame independent practice through exhibition-making, artistic responses and interventions in the gallery, and institutional critique.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Explain and interpret critical and cultural approaches to contemporary art exhibitions
- Apply creative and critical processes to develop ideas and practical outcomes in installation and exhibition practice
- Independently formulate, produce and present creative folios of contemporary artworks
- Analyse and critically reflect on form, process, content and context of contemporary artwork
Content
This unit addresses critical frameworks and practical experience in installation art and contemporary art exhibitions. This is grounded in understandings of contemporary art exhibitions in Australian and global contexts, and examining the ways in which artists engage with and critique the social, political and cultural frameworks of art institutions.
Learning Approaches
In this unit, you will learn by engaging in the following:
lectures that address key themes and practices in relation to installation art and exhibitions, with tutorial-based discussions of critical and contextual readings and analysis of artworks and exhibitions. This will be complemented by site visits and exhibition tours at local art galleries. In gallery and studio-based activities you will develop an independent art practice, exploring approaches to installation such as site-responsive making. You will work together with your peers to present group exhibitions and you will produce an individual folio of artwork.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
You will gain feedback in this unit by participating in regular individual reviews with academics and group critiques with peers. You will also receive written feedback on your group exhibition and artist talk Assessment 2, which will directly relate to and inform your final major assessment.
Assessment
Overview
The summative assessment for this unit includes analysing exhibitions and writing an exhibition review, and the planning and presentation of a group exhibition. This exhibition involves installing your individual artworks and delivering an artist talk for peer review. The major assessment item for this unit is the production of artworks documented in a folio and framed by a researched artist rationale. Formative assessment involves feedback on exhibition planning and artworks in development.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Exhibition Review
You will research and write an exhibition review appropriate for publication in a contemporary arts magazine.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Group Exhibition
Working in groups, you will plan, present and document an exhibition. Individually, you will install an artwork as part of this exhibition and present a gallery floor talk discussing your work.
Assessment: Portfolio
Your portfolio comprises documentation of artworks produced this semester, accompanied by a written and researched artist rationale.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Requirements to Study
Requirements
All students are requested to visit and review the Health and Safety information on the HiQ web pages (CIESJ Tier 1 HSE requirement)
This unit also requires a Tier 2 CIESJ Health and Safety Induction which is provided by the technician on site in the theatre, workshop or studio. Some students may be required to complete a Tier 3 CIESJ Health and Safety Induction which is a hands on induction on specific machinery.
A Project Risk Management Plan is also mandatory.
Costs
Student contributions to the production costs of artworks. Cost varies depending on the nature of individual studio practice and projects.
Resources
Texts, references and images as well as technical and digital resources are available through the Canvas site for this unit. Digital and fabrication workshops, computer labs, art studios, gallery and exhibition spaces are available on campus. This unit includes site visits to local art galleries and exhibitions.
Resource Materials
Other
To enable your full participation in units that utilise virtual learning environments, for example participating in online activities and engaging with online learning materials, you will need access to a reliable computer with an internet connection, webcam, headset and microphone, as well as a learning environment where you are able to fully participate undisturbed when required.
Risk Assessment Statement
For risks associated with using campus buildings or QUT facilities, refer to the HiQ Health and Safety information.
You are advised to take regular rest breaks when engaging in prolonged computer-based work and ensure that your workstation is set up for optimal comfort to prevent strain or injury.
For CIESJ Tiers 2 and 3 Health and Safety requirements, you will be instructed on safe procedures and the required safety gear for all studio and workshop processes that are demonstrated. Health and Safety files are readily available for all materials and machinery in all studio areas. Technical supervision is provided for workshops and available on a regular basis during the week. Technical supervision is mandatory in 3D workshop and printmaking studios.
A minimum of three students is required for after-hours access to studios.
Risk assessment forms must be completed and submitted before project work starts. You have an obligation to make yourself familiar with and adhere to the Contemporary Art Studio Health and Safety Procedures and Documents provided on Canvas as part of the unit. For further information also refer to the QUT Health and Safety website.
Contemporary Art engages with a wide range of content and contexts and this unit may include the presentation and scholarly analysis of material and subject matter that could be considered confronting or triggering. This includes, but is not limited to, discussions about and representations of trauma and violence, as well as experiences of mental and physical health. These may be in relation to topics including race, class, gender, politics, and religion. QUT counselling support is available should you feel the need to avail yourself of these services.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.CA01 Bachelor of Creative Arts
- Cite and discuss a broad and coherent knowledge of historical and contemporary cultural contexts for creative practice, including the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges.
Relates to: ULO1, Exhibition Review - Identify and demonstrate knowledge of the techniques and concepts underpinning your field of creative practice.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO4, Exhibition Review, Group Exhibition, Portfolio - Demonstrate complex problem solving through iterative experimentation and the creative and critical development of ideas and outcomes.
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Group Exhibition, Portfolio - Demonstrate technical proficiency and a knowledge of contemporary digital practices and technologies in one or more disciplines and apply these in creative and critical settings.
Relates to: ULO2, Group Exhibition - Communicate independent learning clearly and coherently in diverse modes relevant to your field of creative practice.
Relates to: ULO3, Portfolio - Communicate, represent, and promote your work in ways relevant to your creative field.
Relates to: ULO3, Portfolio - Discern, critically analyse, and synthesise knowledge in complex creative and critical settings.
Relates to: ULO4, Exhibition Review, Group Exhibition, Portfolio - Work productively as a leader and collaborator in disciplinary and interdisciplinary practices.
Relates to: ULO2, Group Exhibition - Formulate and apply an independent perspective through contextual research, reflection, and by acting on the informed critique of others.
Relates to: ULO1, Exhibition Review - Demonstrate respect for cultural and social differences, sustainability, and work with integrity across all practice and professional settings.
Relates to: ULO1, Exhibition Review - Operate with initiative, ethical judgement and professionalism, both alone and in groups.
Relates to: ULO2, Group Exhibition