Design in the Urban Context:
The Power of Images, The Art of Propaganda
2008 Exploration Seminar in Rome, Italy

Program Director: Christopher Ozubko
Dates of Instruction: August 18 to September 18, 2008

The UW Design Program is pleased to offer its fourth seminar in Rome during Summer Quarter 2008. Rome is a legendary crossroads of ancient and modern culture, its history defined by the monuments of the imperial past and the magnificence of the Roman Catholic Church. Monuments such as the Colosseum, the Arch of Constantine, the Pantheon, the ancient Roman Forum, and the artistic treasures of the city’s many museums and churches have attracted visitors to the Eternal City for centuries. Rome has always been a powerful symbol during its rise as an empire, but also in the 20th century as symbol in literature, culture, and history. It is a city of contradictions—acting as the center of Roman Catholicism and pre-Christian paganism, of immense beauty and infamous ruin, and of opulent antiquity and contemporary extravagance. Few cities in the world can provide students with such an inspiring and memorable landscape to work from.

This course will be comprised of a diverse series of photographic and design investigations/exercises addressing visual aesthetics, form analysis + generation, concept development, and design methodology within a two + three dimensional context.

The seminar will be based at the University of Washington Rome Center, housed in the 17th century Palazzo Pio in the heart of historic Rome. Built on the foundations of the Theater of Pompey, ancient Rome’s first permanent theatre (dedicated in 55 B.C.), the Palazzo adjoins the Campo de’ Fiori, site of Rome’s most attractive open air market. The Center provides studio space, a library, a computer lab, as well as logistical support.

Program Instructors: Christopher Ozubko, Professor of Design & Director of the School of Art, and special guest instructor, Mel Curtis, professional photographer.

Course will fulfill a total of 8 VLPA credits in Art that will apply to Autumn Quarter 2008. Participants should check with Art academic advisors to determine how these credits may apply to major requirements.

Student costs:  
$4,200 Program Fee
200 IPE Fee
additional costs include: Field trips, museum entrances and excursions included. Additional costs include return travel to Rome, food (approx $15-30 day), health insurance and personal expenses
This program is open ONLY to design students:  for application information !!

!! This program is open ONLY to design students: contact program director for application information !!

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