A New Approach in Sculpture Education: The Case of Experimental Sculpture Studio

Abstract

This study presents an overview of the phenomenon of Experimental Art through the example of the Experimental Sculpture Studio, as an alternative to the Wood, Stone, Metal Department of Sculpture. At the beginning of the 21st century, many universities gathered their education under the title of 'Visual Arts' instead of providing education for a single discipline. A transformation has become inevitable regarding sculpture education during this period when vertical and disciplinary education models around the world have been replaced by horizontal and interdisciplinary education. In this context, the idea that a new model is needed for art education constitutes the main axis of this study. In the study, firstly, the term 'experimental art' was clarified and then the importance of experimentality in the context of art education was emphasized by, starting from Kubler's idea of open and closed sequences. In the fourth part of the study, the education programme of Black Mountain College, one of the first institutions associated with Experimental Art, is examined, followed by an explanation of the working principles of Experimental Sculpture Studio, along with an evaluation of selected student works.