Globalization is the spread of products, technology, culture, information, and jobs across national borders. In economic terms, it describes an interdependence of nations around the globe fostered through free trade, the development of an increasingly integrated global economy marked by free trade, free flow of capital, and the tapping of cheaper foreign labor markets On the upside, it can raise the standard of living in poor and less developed countries by providing job opportunity, modernization, and improved access to goods and services. On the downside, it can destroy job opportunities in more developed and high-wage countries as the production of goods and services moves across borders. Globalization motives are idealistic, as well as opportunistic, but the development of a global free market has benefited large corporations based in the Western world. Its impact remains mixed for workers, cultures, and small businesses around the globe, in both developed and emerging nations.

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In this immersive studio art class students create site-responsive sculptures, drawings, performances and installations that explore art in a global context. Using the rich history and culture of Central Europe as site and locale, the class will travel to contemporary art museums, cultural and historical sites in Prague and Berlin (1 week), then create responsive artworks on-site at Art Mill’s Center for Sustainability, in the Bohemian countryside, Czech Republic (2 weeks). Studio assignments, lectures, conceptual, fabrication practices and critique will be led by UCSC Professor Dee Hibbert-Jones; artist and writer Barbara Benish, Director of Art Mill, as well as visiting faculty and professional artists from Czech Republic and other internationally recognized art schools and universities, such as the New School in New York, and the Dresden and Berlin Academies. Students will create original artworks that explore the 2 complex relationship between object-making, place-making, aesthetics and cultural identity in a global context through four themed projects. There will be a final exhibition open to the public.