We have begun our first major-oriented module here at the IFC. Although we aim for students to work in smaller groups according to their intended field specialty, we also aim to continue to cohesion amongst the various studios. To that end, this first elective module is themed as “Organic”, with each discipline interpreting the theme in ways applicable to their field. This year, we have a total of 6 studios: Fine Art, Spatial Design, Fashion Design, Moving Image and Photography, Graphic Design and 3D Design. Here we’ll take a second look into the Fine Art studio, where student finished their module creating fiber sculptures, wearable pieces and installations. The organic fine art elective course this year is titled: “Growing Towards the New: Foundations in Contemporary Art Forms”. The course intends to turn traditional fine arts foundational approaches on their head and instead provide our usually very traditionally-grounded students with experiences making, looking and discussing contemporary art. Students looked at the history of how textile crafts turned into fiber arts and the roles of women, the industrial revolution and feminism in this process. They looked at traditional fiber craft globally, took a field trip to the Beijing Institute of Fashion’s Museum of Ethnic Costumes to see the role of the textile and fiber within Chinese culture, and looked at modern and contemporary artists such as Louise Bourgeois, Eva Hesse, Nick Cave and Ruth Asawa. Students’ works were based on their previous research into forgotten organic spaces and were to have a relationship with their first experimental painting work. Some students chose to create sequels to their paintings and others chose to create contradictions. For most, using fiber materials was a brand new experience and all students gained a greater understanding of space, form and using soft and flexible materials to create objects and spaces full of content. Take a look above to see our students’ final pieces in this module. Mary A. Johnson Images by Mary A. Johnson