teaching — Rachel Leah Cohn

Jabberwocky - Phase 1ART 200 Introduction to Computer ArtPhase 1: Tell a story using written text. Students experimented with the connections between sound and image and language, using video as a medium. They told the same story in three phases: using written text and images, using spoken words and pictures, and using sound only. In Phase 1, their videos were composed of the written text and a sequence of either still or moving images, considering how the text appeared (animated, experimental, subtitles, etc.). In Phase 2, they read or performed their text with voice and sound, which they edited as a multitrack composition in Adobe Audition with a new sequence of images.Selections were broadcast on WQRT 99.1FM Indianapolis in the sonic exhibition “Home as an Orchestra,” collaboratively produced in Spring 2021 with Assistant Professor Kristin Reeves and Instructor Kelvin Burzon.

Masquerade Grand Prix A Day at the Beach. A compilation of performances based on a field trip to the beach, inspired by the Japanese television show, Masquerade.

Jabberwocky- Phase 2ART 200 Introduction to Computer ArtPhase 2: Telling the same story using spoken word. Students were asked to tell the same story in three different phases: first using text and images, second using spoken word and images and lastly, only using sound. Their narrative audio pieces were curated into a radio program “Home as an Orchestra” for WQRT 99.1 FM in Indianapolis, IN in Spring 2021.

Jam Band- SupermarketSpace Research and Time StudioA collaborative project at VCUarts Qatar with Space Research faculty Maysaa Almumim and sound artist, Guillaume Rousere. Students were asked to consider the sounds and images of one location in the city. They created sound devices using found objects, which they recorded using contact microphones and edited into abstract musical compositions in Adobe Audition. Finally, they created a music video for their soundpiece, using projections of video shot on location.

Some Silly StoriesADS 103 4D Foundations A storyboarding/animatic project inspired by Surrealist parlor games, including Exquisite Corpse and Consequences. Students collaboratively wrote silly stories and then illustrated them as storyboards, using any material analog or digital. They combined their images with dialogue, introducing them to Adobe Premiere Pro and Audition.

Flip Book ConcréteADS 103 4D Foundations Inspired by Stan Brakhage and direct film animation, students are asked to create abstract animation frames focusing on mark making. They take their still images and combine them in Premiere Pro to create a moving sequence, which they could manipulate further digitally.

Jam Band - BeachSpace Research and Time StudioA collaborative project at VCUarts Qatar with Space Research faculty Maysaa Almumim and sound artist, Guillaume Rousere. Students were asked to consider the sounds and images of one location in the city. They created sound devices using found objects, which they recorded using contact microphones and edited into abstract musical compositions in Adobe Audition. Finally, they created a music video for their soundpiece, using projections of video shot on location.

Yadawi Cinema A storytelling project based on early cinema techniques. Students were asked to record and edit audio telling a short story and then create illustrations, using silhouettes and drawings on transparencies and their bodies. Using the overhead projector, they performed their stories live and then edited the documentation video.

Yadawi Cinema - Queen of the MountainsA storytelling project based on early cinema techniques. Students were asked to record and edit audio telling a short story and then create illustrations, using silhouettes and drawings on transparencies and their bodies. Using the overhead projector, they performed their stories live and then edited the documentation video.

Flip Book Concréte - NotebookADS 103 4D Foundations Inspired by Stan Brakhage and direct film animation, students are asked to create abstract animation frames focusing on mark making. They take their still images and combine them in Premiere Pro to create a moving sequence, which they could manipulate further digitally.

Jam Band - Rainstorm at the SheratonSpace Research and Time Studio A collaborative project at VCUarts Qatar with Space Research faculty Maysaa Almumim and sound artist, Guillaume Rousere. Students were asked to consider the sounds and images of one location in the city. They created sound devices using found objects, which they recorded using contact microphones and edited into abstract musical compositions in Adobe Audition. Finally, they created a music video for their soundpiece, using projections of video shot on location.

Jam Band - CornicheSpace Research and Time StudioA collaborative project at VCUarts Qatar with Space Research faculty Maysaa Almumim and sound artist, Guillaume Rousere. Students were asked to consider the sounds and images of one location in the city. They created sound devices using found objects, which they recorded using contact microphones and edited into abstract musical compositions in Adobe Audition. Finally, they created a music video for their soundpiece, using projections of video shot on location.

Some Silly StoriesADS 103 4D Foundations Consequences, or the Exquisite Corpse, is a game played by the Surrealists in which a story or image is collectively assembled. Players each write in turn on a piece of paper, fold it down to conceal and then pass it on to the next player for further contribution. The stories follow a strict structure but are often absurd, silly and playful. Students use this game to create the script and storyboard for a video project. After collectively writing stories in class, each student selects one to develop further. They can use any materials to make their images- drawing, photography, collage, etc. and are asked to pay attention to camera shots and visual details. They combine the images digitally in Premiere Pro and recorded a voiceover, including sound effects and music.

ScratchADS 103 4D Foundations Students experimented with cameraless animation, creating two loops- one which used found footage and one using clear leader. They documented their experiments and edited them into a 30 second digital film with sound.

Deep Listening PerformanceADS 103 4D FoundationsIn collaboration with PlySpace Fellows Valerie Skakun and Pat SpadineA Virtual Deep Listening Performance with sound sculptures made from household materials during the COVID-19 stay-at-home order. Each student created an instrument that could make a single sound that was pleasant for them to listen to for 15 minutes which they recorded as video performances. The overall piece was complied, edited and composed by Valerie Skakun and Pat Spadine.

Exquisite Corpse McLovin'Students created a 15’ tall exquisite corpse sculpture originally designed for an Art Parade in April 2020 (canceled due to COVID). They had intended for it to be carried in pieces down the street and assembled on site as a performance.They began from drawings, collectively chose each element and constructed it in teams, using wire, PVC, fabric, paint.Head: Illuminati PigTorso: McLovin’ with TentaclesFeet: Zombie

Some Silly StoriesADS 103 4D Foundations Consequences, or the Exquisite Corpse, is a game played by the Surrealists in which a story or image is collectively assembled. Players each write in turn on a piece of paper, fold it down to conceal and then pass it on to the next player for further contribution. The stories follow a strict structure but are often absurd, silly and playful. Students use this game to create the script and storyboard for a video project. After collectively writing stories in class, each student selects one to develop further. They can use any materials to make their images- drawing, photography, collage, etc. and are asked to pay attention to camera shots and visual details. They combine the images digitally in Premiere Pro and recorded a voiceover, including sound effects and music.

Yadawi Cinema - The FloodA storytelling project based on early cinema techniques. Students were asked to record and edit audio telling a short story and then create illustrations, using silhouettes and drawings on transparencies and their bodies. Using the overhead projector, they performed their stories live and then edited the documentation video.

Little DataADS 103 4D Foundations Over one month, students keep a diary, recording personal data of their choosing thinking about their current life situation, patterns, and habits; something that they can tangibly observe. Considering that data as an artistic medium, they create a visualization in any media, including drawing, sculpture, video, animation, textile design/weaving, or wearable art.

Protest GIFSADS 103 4D Foundations Students create an animated GIF "protest sign." They choose a topic that is important to them. They are welcome to google for inspiration, to steal a statement that already exists, or write their own. Their GIF will combine a text statement with a moving image. Using an animation technique called "rotoscoping," they trace over and manipulate stills from a moving image sequence and reconstruct them to create realistic movement.

Protest GIFs- Clean the OceansADS 103 4D Foundations Students create an animated GIF "protest sign." They choose a topic that is important to them. They are welcome to google for inspiration, to steal a statement that already exists, or write their own. Their GIF will combine a text statement with a moving image. Using an animation technique called "rotoscoping," they trace over and manipulate stills from a moving image sequence and reconstruct them to create realistic movement.

Little Data - YouTubeADS 103 4D Foundations Over one month, students keep a diary, recording personal data of their choosing thinking about their current life situation, patterns, and habits; something that they can tangibly observe. Considering that data as an artistic medium, they create a visualization in any media, including drawing, sculpture, video, animation, textile design/weaving, or wearable art.

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Personal Narrative

Personal NarrativeStudents developed a series of four small drawings that create a narrative derived from personal history and explore the idea of narrative as an event. They were encouraged to use abstract/non-objective visual language and consider sequencing, repetition, and materials. They also included a written description of their series.

Non-DrawingsStudents made drawings without a single conventional drawing material (paper was permissible as a surface). Starting from work they had recently completed and deemed successful, they responded to the past work using nontraditional materials, like food, textiles, collage, plastic. The result was required to be larger than 22” on each side.

Conflict and PowerStudents constructed a figurative narrative on the themes of conflict and power. Students drew from their imagination, memory, observation, and found imagery. There was an emphasis on the figure from a variety of different approaches.

Experimental Animation WorkshopStudents worked with experimental or fine art animation by completing a series of short exercises introducing them to key techniques, which they compiled into a single video with credits: • Stop-motion: physically manipulating an object (2D or 3D) so that it appears to move on its own • Photoshop as an Animation Stand: using Photoshop to Produce stills • Keyframes: the computer calculates motion and change based on settings in Premiere • Rotoscoping: tracing over a live-action sequence frame by frame.

Non-Drawing

Reality Remix

Reality Remix - Trees

Value Photocopy

Juxtaposition Still Life

Juxtaposition