Anonymous asked: You're studying BFA ID in Ateneo? Cool. I just want to ask a few questions 'cause I'll be entering Ateneo as a freshman with that course too.
1. What have you done in BFA ID since your freshman year? (Subjects, projects, etc.)
2. Challenges in the course?
3. Tips/advice on how to prepare myself. :D
Thank you so much in advance for possible answering this question! I'm very eager and anxious to know what I'm going to face in college next year. :))
Woah. This is so random! I get how you feel (I think) because I’m a shiftee and I used to ask ID majors practically the same thing. :) Blockmates and batchmates, help? And correct me if I’m wrong. If it’s not too much to ask, anon, who are you and how’d you find my Tumblr? I find this really random. Hahaha! :)) OK, here are my answers.
- I shifted into BFA ID in my third year, so I didn’t take the same classes ID majors took in their first year. (I’m currently taking sophomore ID classes and some Fine Art electives.) But I know they take Ateneo core subjects like Math, English, Science, PE, etc. Basically, you don’t really do anything art-related in your first year. In your second year, you get other core subjects plus 2 Fine Art classes per semester. In the first sem, you get Introduction to Visual Arts and Introduction to Aesthetics. In Intro to Vis Arts, we discussed the evolution of writing, photography and different styles/movements, like Art Nouveau. We were made to do some drawings and apply a style/movement of our choice whichever way we chose and explain that work. In Intro to Aesthetics, we discussed Formalism and applied it in the reading of works in different themes and in the local setting. We concluded the class by having an exhibit that was tied in with the NSTP/CWTS program. We were made to explain it in the manner the artworks we discussed throughout the sem were classified and explained. In the second sem, we have Introduction to Philippine Visual Arts and Interdisciplinary Approaches to the Arts. I guess the former is pretty self-explanatory; we learn stuff about Philippine art, both historical and contemporary. In the latter, we learn different theories pertaining to the analysis of art; before that, we try to define what art really is and how it is to be judged. In third year are some production classes, Art History and electives along with core subjects—core subjects never go away, BTW. And fourth year is for electives and Seniors’ Creative Project/Thesis, which is supposed to be a synthesis of everything you’ve learned as an ID major. :)
- Right now, it’s basically having the willpower to plow through the readings without wanting to bash your head against a wall. Be ready to question your definition of art and how you approach it. Also, since it’s basically all theories, it can get pretty lofty and you will itch to make art, instead of just talk about it. Be learn to learn Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign, if you don’t already! :)
- I don’t really know you, so I can’t say about how you’ll react to what BFA ID will throw your way. I forgot to say that they’re changing the curriculum, so what I’m telling you might not apply when you enter the Ateneo. Anyway, just be open to the experience, I guess? I mean you have to go through the motions of the classes before you get to achieve your goal. LOL. I think I’m starting to read/sound like those corny advice columns, so I’ll end here. Just ask again if this made sense and if you have more questions. :)) Sorry if the layout is crappy—that is one thing you start becoming (more) aware of as in ID major—or the grammar and word choice poor. I am sleepy and won’t proofread; also, the space for you to see what you’ve typed in this Ask thing is too small. :| Good luck and congratulations on getting in! :D
