Layers upon Lines

MA4313.01
Course System Home Terms Fall 2026 Layers upon Lines

Course Description

Summary

The class will be both looking at abstraction from quilts, to architectural patterns, to botanical structures as well as more figurative based work. The class will include a mixture of creating assemblages in a variety of means and materials, and using both digital and analogue means. Objects will be cut out digitally as well as with scissors or the laser cutter, animated with pins or digital pins in software (After Effects), layers will be used to create depth in three dimensions, a multiplane or using the Z axis. Movement will be animated using software (AfterEffects, TVPaint, Dragonframe).

We will be looking at Martha Colburn, Quirino Cristiani, Hiraki Sawa, Terry Gilliam, Janie Geiser, John Heartfield, Hannah Höch, Viking Eggling, the psychedelic posters of the 60s,  Norman McLaren, Man Ray in particular as well as others.

Presentation of animators will be required.

Learning Outcomes

  • • Experience taking a narrative and giving it physical form and movement
    • Experimenting with different ways to achieve a sequence of events
    • Exhibit their work in an end-of-the-term exhibition/screening.
    • Learning a mixture of digital and analogue methods
    • Seeing how the juxtaposition of scale/narratives/forms can shift perspectives

Prerequisites

Background in animation, drawing, collage is necessary.
Please contact the faculty member at srees@bennington.edu with a statement of interest as well as relevant experience by 1st May.

Instructor

  • Sue Rees

Day and Time

FR 8:30am-12:10pm

Delivery Method

Fully in-person

Length of Course

Full Term

Academic Term

Fall 2026

Area of Study

Credits

4

Course Level

4000

Maximum Enrollment

12

Course Frequency

Every 2-3 years