Bard College Berlin News
New painting instructor Katy Kirbach explores color in advanced studio arts course
“Teaching has been a great experience so far,” Kirbach says. “The BCB and exchange students in my class are engaged, punctual, and excited to be in a studio arts class. I especially enjoy the small class size, because it allows for more focus on each student. This will become especially important as the semester progresses, when we begin to integrate color theory with independent studio work.”
Independent studio work is an important aspect of this course, as with many of BCB’s advanced arts courses. Thanks to the partnership with the artistic complex of Monopol-Berlin, personalized studio space is something BCB is equipped to offer advanced arts students. “The new space at Monopol has been brilliantly and creatively organized by Professor John Kleckner,” explains Kirbach. “It is exciting to be one of the first classes in the Monopol space... By far the best thing about teaching at Monopol is the amount of studio space that students have access to.”
For advanced arts courses like Color in Practice, Kirbach describes her approach to teaching: “I think it is important to encourage each student to research and explore their own interests within painting. At the same time, this independent work needs to be anchored by specific technical workshops, lectures on contemporary artists, readings, and group critiques. As the semester progresses, I tailor recommendations to students based on their work and knowledge, adjusting the course to their individual needs.”
As for her students this semester, she says, “I hope that my course, and their access to studio spaces at Monopol, encourages them all to do a deep dive into color and painting. I hope for a semester full of energetic work and experimentation. I hope that my students finish the semester with a deeper understanding of both how and why they use specific colors in their work.”
Post Date: 03-18-2024