Q: What is this anyway? Why do we do this?
A: This is a foundations-wide workshop that (other than during COVID) we have run since 2016 in various forms. The goal is to encourage you to think creatively, work in ways and with materials you may not have used before, to meet your classmates, and to foster community and intellectutal discourse among foundations students.
Q: Exactly when is the charrette this year?
A: Becca Aloisio and Mitch Goldstein will be launching the workshop all day on Tuesday Sept 3 in the SHED room 2300. All 2D1 & 2 and Drawing 1 & 2 classes that day will come into the SHED for the launch, which will run during each block of class time (more specifics on this in Schedule). Students work all the way through Thursday September 12 when we have our awards event, from 5-7PM in the SHED Atrium.
Q: Who is participating in the charrette this year?
A: All students — no matter what major or year they are — who are enrolled in any 2D 1 or 2, 3D 1 or 2, and/or Drawing 1 or 2 class will participate in the Charrette. This is not optional. If you are in any of those classes, you are participating in the workshop.
Q: What if I have just one foundations class, or if I am an upperclassmen? Do I still have to participate? How much work do I have to do?
A: Yes, you will absolutely still participate, however you will be expected to do less than a student who has 3 classes dedicated just to the charrette that week. Ultimately it is up to you to choose how much you are willing to do.
Q: Do I have to wear the number? What if I lose my number?
A: You must wear your number in a place it can be easily seen when wearing your piece. If you lose your number, do not make a new one — instead please go to the desk in the 3D Shop (Booth 2540) and they will give you another number. Projects without numbers attached will not be qualified to win any awards.
Q: How is this graded?
A: We are “grading” the charrette as pass/fail: if you participate, you pass. Each individual instructor is allowed to decide how much weight they want to give to the pass/fail grade within their class. We are not assigning letter grades as we want you to work purely for the experience, rather than to just to try and get an A. This means that you can really go for it, have fun, and take your mind off grades for a week.
Q: Can I collaborate with other students, or do I have to work alone?
A: Yes! You can absolutely collaborate on a larger piece with your friends! Please note that everyone working together will be judged together, and that every person participating must be in physical contact with the piece in its final form. In other words: you can not just have one member of your team wear the final project, you all must wear it together, at the same time.
Q: So I am making a costume? Is this cosplay?
A: No — this is not a cosplay project, and you are not making a costume. You are making a piece of wearable art, and your final piece should not look like a specific fictional character.
Q: I can't use fabric as a main element? What does that mean?
A: Fabric may be used for an underlying structure or as a supporting material only — it should not be the main thing people see when they look at your final piece.
Q: How big or small should this be? What other materials can I use? Can I buy materials if I want? Can I (insert question here)?
A: These questions are up to you to answer for yourself. Be creative. Surprise us.
Q: My piece is very see through or revealing, and I do not want to be nearly naked at the event. Can I wear something under my piece?
A: Absolutely yes, you are welcome to wear anything you like in addition to the piece itself, but do consider how what you wear affects how we percieve the final piece — maybe wearing something plain is better than wearing something with a lot of colors, patterns, images, or logos.
Q: What if my class does not meet on Tuesday for the launch?
A: It is 95% likely that you will still be at the launch in another foundations class that does meet Tuesday. If you are not in any other foundations class on Tuesday, try to attend any of the launch events listed on the Schedule page. If you are absolutely unable to be at any of the Tuesday launch times, your instructor will email you the project prompt on Tuesday so you can get to work.
Q: Where do I work? Do I have to come to class?
A: Yes, you are required to show up at the start of every class to check in. You are then allowed to work anywhere you like, though we strongly encourage you to work on campus around your classmates in Booth or the SHED. We know from past experience that students tend to camp out in one spot, therefore your instructors know to let you go there to work after you have checked in. Also please note that the SHED is open 7AM to Midnight Monday though Friday, and 8AM to Midnight Saturday and Sunday.
Q: What happens on Thursday at the awards event?
A: We will have judges (including some faculty, older students, and a few surprises) at the event sitting at tables in the SHED. All students will walk past the judges starting at 5pm, who will note the number attached to every project. After everyone has entered, judges will be allowed to mill around and talk to any students they want more information from. Starting at around 6:30PM we will give awards from each judge. Shane Durgee will also be picking 15 to 20 pieces to be in the show in Bevier gallery after the event ends. Lastly, we will have people picking a few pieces to be a part of Rochester Fashion Week and walk the runway later in October. With this in mind, it is possible that one amazing project could get a judges award, get into the gallery show, and also be included in Fashion Week! We will also have music playing, and lots of food available. Students who are in the show will then be asked to drop their projects off right in Bevier as soon as the event ends.
Q: What if I have a class during the main event? Can I skip it? What happens if I am absolutely unable to be at the event? Do I fail the project?
A: Unfortunately we cannot control every single class that happens on campus at 5PM on Thursday, but please check with your instructor and ask them if you can attend the event. If they refuse to let you leave, your Foundations instructor will allow you to send them a photograph of your final piece so that you can get credit for completing the project. Also, you can ask a friend to wear your piece for you during the event so you will still be able to qualify for the awards. Unfortinately we cannot give any awards to projects that are not physically at the actual event on Thursday October 5.
Q: What if I have social anxiety or what if I am not comfortable wearing my art in public?
A: The same answer as above: you can have someone else wear your piece for you, or you can skip the event entirely and just submit your piece to your instructor for credit.
Q: How do I make sure I get credit for the project?
A: Check with your instructors before the event: they will explain what they need from you to get credit for the project. As an example, in 2D we ask each student to submit an image of their final piece to myCourses.
Q: This FAQ was very helpful. But what if I have other questions?
A: Do not hesitate to ask your instructors any questions that you may have at any time.
Any support staff will be available in your normal classrooms at the normal times, just like any other day this semester. Interpreters will be available during the main event from 5pm–7pm in the SHED Atrium. If you would like to have additional interpreting services please make a request at https://myaccess.rit.edu. If you need additional assistance with support services, you can email CAD Interpreter Coordinator Hanna Hoekman at hxhdis@rit.edu or CAD Interpreter Manager Rachel Abbett at rkmdis@rit.edu.