Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to research and experiment with various techniques and media for the realisation of public art work. It outlines the way public art work is produced through the use of experimentation and ongoing refinement. It is a specialisation unit and refers to a specific art form. Installation work generally uses or combines one or more media art forms and skills in those art forms would be required. This work would usually be carried out independently, although guidance would be available if required.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement.

Prerequisite units 

It is highly recommended that this unit be assessed in conjunction with:

• CUVCOR04B Originate concept for own work and conduct critical discourse
• CUVCOR09B Select and apply drawing techniques and media to represent and communicate the concept
• CUVCOR13B Research and critically analyse history and theory to inform artistic practice.

Depending on the context, combined assessment and/or training with a range of other units would also be appropriate, e.g.:

• CUVCRS14B Prepare, store and maintain finished work
• CUVCRS08B Document the work progress.

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised  text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1 Inform work through experimentation with techniques and media used to produce public art work .

1.1 Evaluate the potential for new approaches to public art work  based on capabilities of techniques  already used.

1.2 Select, adapt or introduce new materials , tools , equipment  or technology for the achievement of different effects.

1.3 Extend the capabilities  of public art work techniques through experimentation to inform practice.

1.4 Take account of particular safety or environmental issues associated with the use of different techniques and media.

1.5 Research, adapt and use relevant ideas and approaches from other practitioners with consideration of intellectual property , moral rights and copyright requirements .

2 Develop and refine a conceptual vision for public art work .

2.1 Develop a conceptual vision  for public art work based on a knowledge and understanding of different techniques.

2.2 Consider the criteria for selecting techniques, material, tools and equipment based on results of experimentation.

2.3 Establish criteria which are most likely to facilitate the achievement of the conceptual vision.

2.4 Select approach to work which meets established criteria.

2.5 Refine the conceptual vision  based on ongoing experimentation and analysis of techniques for the production of public art.

3 Determine and organise resource requirements for new work .

3.1 Assess specific resource requirements which arise from the use of techniques and experimental approaches.

3.2 Research  and access potential sources of supply  for resources required for the production of public art work.

3.3 Evaluate cost or other constraints  which may impact on the development of work.

3.4 Set up or co-ordinate resource requirements in accordance with safety  or other workplace requirements .

4 Realise public art work .

4.1 Realise the public art work using techniques and media selected from research and experimentation to meet the conceptual vision.

4.2 Evaluate and respond to the potential for changes in the use of techniques, materials, tools or equipment.

4.3 Refine the conceptual vision based on ongoing experiences with the production of work.

4.4 Use safe working practices throughout the production of public art work.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills :

• research skills and sources of information to inform experimentation in the production of public art work
• literacy skills sufficient to interpret information and material about the work of other artists involved in the production of public art
• numeracy skills sufficient to evaluate resource costs and to calculate material requirements.

Required knowledge :

• the role of experimentation in developing and refining concepts for public art work
• detailed knowledge of physical properties and capabilities of the range of materials and tools used in the production of public art work
• the characteristics of different materials under different treatments and the potential of these characteristics to achieve different effects
• the formal elements and principles of design and how these may be used, adapted and challenged in the development of concepts for public art work
• the historical and theoretical contexts for public art work and how this may be used to inform own artistic practice
• copyright, moral rights and intellectual property issues and legislation associated with public art work
• sources of materials and other resources for the production of public work
• work space requirements for the production of public art work, including selection and set up of work space for particular types of work
• environmental issues associated with the tools, equipment and materials used in the production of public art work, including the potential issues associated with new approaches
• the legislative requirements for development or building consent
• organisational and legislative occupational health and safety procedures in relation to the production of public art work.

EVIDENCE GUIDE 

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit in this unit 

The following evidence is critical to the judgement of competence in this unit:

• production of public art work which demonstrates a highly developed command of the selected techniques and which is consistent with the conceptual vision
• in depth knowledge of techniques, materials and tools and the ways they may be adapted and extended.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

The assessment context must provide for:

• evaluation of visual language and technical execution of work pieces produced by the candidate
• practical demonstration of skills using required tools, equipment and materials to produce multiple examples of public art or a single major work.

Method of assessment 

Assessment may incorporate a range of methods to assess performance and the application of essential underpinning knowledge, and might include:

• direct observation of the work in progress, including exploration of and experimentation with techniques
• questioning and discussion about candidate's intentions and the work outcome
• verbal and written reports
• review of portfolios of evidence
• third party workplace reports of performance by the candidate.

Assessment methods should closely reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy) and the needs of particular groups (e.g. people with disabilities, and people who may have literacy or numeracy difficulties such a speakers of languages other than English, remote communities and those with interrupted schooling).

Assessment of this unit requires access to the materials and resources needed to learn techniques involved in the production of public art work and to extend them through exploration and experimentation.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised  wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Public art work  may include:

• animation
• architectural forms
• digital/video work
• floor pieces
• light work
• murals
• sculpture in time and space
• site specific work
• sound work
• textile/fibre installations
• wall pieces.

Public art work  may consist of work which is:

• devised by an individual artist
• the outcome of a community development process
• the result of a collaboration between artists.

Within this unit the candidate would generally demonstrate a command of a broad range of techniques  as the basis for experimentation and innovation. Techniques for the production of public art work may include the selection of a range of techniques from any medium or art form or a combination of art forms. These may include:

• ceramics
• digital, photography, electronic art
• drawing, painting, calligraphy
• fibre/textile work
• light, e.g. laser, spot
• printmaking
• sculpture, glass
• sound, e.g. electronic, natural, vocal, instrumental.

Materials  may include:

• film, darkroom chemicals and emulsions
• found objects
• glues
• nails, screws, hooks, bolts
• natural and synthetic fibres, range of fabrics, e.g. cotton, linen, silk, synthetic fabrics, tapa cloth, papers
• plantings, e.g. shrubs, grasses, trees
• water and oil based paints, marine paints, specialised metal and wood primers, extenders and binders, gesso, tempera, coloured pencils, pastels, inks, charcoal, waterproof lacquers, resins, latex
• wood, clay, sand metals, rubber, plastics, glass, perspex.

Tools and equipment  may include:

• computer, scanner, VHS and DVD, software programs, electrical cabling, multiple screens, monitors
• earth moving equipment
• engravers, grinding and polishing equipment, pliers, tongs, hammers, nails, screws, range of cutters
• enlargers and other wet darkroom equipment, 35mm camera, pinhole camera, digital camera
• lights and associated cabling
• looms, moulds and deckles, vacuum table, press, baths and vats
• pneumatic drills
• power tools, e.g. saws, drills, sanders, compressor
• protective clothing
• scaffolding, ladders, crane
• sound recording equipment, synthesisers, associated cabling, microphones, musical instruments.

Extending capabilities  through:

• experimentation encourages the exploration of the full potential of the art form and involves innovation.

Intellectual property , moral rights and copyright requirements  may relate to:

• extent to which the work may be used
• procedures for seeking permission to use the work of others, including systems for the administration of copyright
• protocols for the adaptation of work by others.

The conceptual vision  may be determined by:

• elements and principles of design
• the relationship of the work to a theoretical and historical context
• the subject matter or theme for the public art work, e.g. the body; identity, land and place; political, cultural, social issues; spiritual concerns.

Refining the conceptual vision  may include:

• adjustment to consideration of elements and principles of design
• adjustment to subject matter or theme
• adjustment to utilise the extended capabilities of the technique
• no change.

Research  may involve:

• approaching individuals with relevant expertise
• attending lectures and talks
• conducting community consultation
• conducting material and technical experiments and tests
• establishing a management plan
• seeking out information in books, journals, newspapers
• visiting exhibitions, museums.

Sources of supply  may include:

• commercial outlets
• found objects or materials
• manufacturing or factory waste
• nature.

Cost and other constraints  may relate to:

• availability of materials and tools
• budgeting
• requirements for development or building consent
• sponsorship
• timeframe.

Particular safety  or environmental issues may include:

• Federal, State and Territory legislation, regulations and standards
• personal protection
• recycling
• requirements to seek approval or permission
• safe disposal of waste
• the need for a conservation plan.

Workplace requirements  may include:

• drying space
• lighting
• location specific requirements
• process specific requirements
• ventilation
• wet and dry areas.