Consciousness, Art and Matter

This year-long interdisciplinary program will provide an opportunity for students interested in doing intensive work in the nature of the mind through challenging readings, creative work in visual art, and self-reflection. We will examine consciousness, art and physical reality from a variety of viewpoints including artistic, psychological, philosophical, physical and biological. Students must be willing to work in the studio in a community of artists, and to show and discuss their work. Prospective students should have some background in art and an interest in the philosophy of the nature of physical reality. We will explore topics through lectures, seminars, and art workshops. Students will have an opportunity to improve their skills in 2- and 3-dimensional art media, including drawing, painting, print-making, mixed media and ceramics.

In fall quarter, we'll take an approach that welcomes the complexity of the many different views on consciousness advanced by researchers, philosophers and spiritual leaders. We will use a text that covers most of the current scientific models of consciousness yet is willing to examine some of the more "borderland" areas of research such as dreams, altered states and "paranormal" phenomena. Students will be expected to keep a journal exploring our developing awareness of the nature of consciousness. The creative work will be integrated into our study as a tool to understand our individual creative processes and the nature of consciousness. In addition, we will study how artists attempt to make visible various concepts of time, space, matter and reality.

In winter quarter, we'll include a study of dreams and modern physics and how these subjects and our art work expand our understanding of the nature of mind and consciousness. In spring, students will have the opportunity to continue their work with more in-depth studies in these areas and to actively explore contemplative studies.

This is a fun, and rigorous, full-time program. Students are expected to participate in all program activities and to work about 50 hours each week, including class time.