Visual Arts

The visual arts at Rangitoto College comprise a wide range of art forms.

A diverse range of programmes which enable students to practise and develop ways of working and developing fluency in - the perceptual, practical and conceptual processes of - two dimensional, three dimensional and time based art forms.

Students are introduced to ways in which they can develop and extend their visual literacy through practical and theoretical studies in -

Drawing
Design
Painting (view student artwork)
Black and white & digital photography (view student work)
Work in three dimensions (view student work)
Print making
The History of Art, Architecture and Design

[refer to the handbook for detail on the curriculum at each level]

The College's visual arts programme at all year levels follows the visual arts strands and achievement objectives as set out in the Arts in the New Zealand Curriculum document.

The Visual Arts Strands and Achievement Objectives

Strand 1
Developing Practical Knowledge in the Visual Arts

Students making objects and images will use key processes and procedures relevant to the visual arts.
Practical knowledge will be gained in a variety of 2D, 3D and time based media.
Students will communicate ideas and solve problems in the making of visual art works.
Art making conventions and techniques will be applied to create ideas, develop skills, through a range of techniques, materials, appropriate tools and technologies.

Strand 2
Developing Ideas in the Visual Arts

Students develop ideas through observation, imagination and invention with materials, processes and technologies.
The ability to respond and critique their own art work will be developed.
A range of ideas will be sourced in order to communicate student intentions and apply a number of relevant methods and concepts which will be expressed through appropriate materials.
Students will be encouraged to work both individually and collaboratively in the making of objects and images as they generate, test and regenerate ideas to solve visual problems.

Strand 3
Communicating and Interpreting in the Visual Arts

Students will gain skills to interpret and respond to the meaning communicated through all forms of the visual arts.
Viewing and presentation in the visual arts will be investigated in order to understand how meaning in art works is communicated.
Through analysis, interpretation and evaluation, students learn how art works are structured and visual ideas conveyed in their own and others work.
Signs and symbols and their meanings are examined and how they communicate information and ideas is investigated.
Students learn to use appropriate terminology to discuss ideas through a variety of practical and theoretical studies in the visual arts.

Strand 4
Understanding the Visual Arts in Context

Students will be able to identify the purpose of and place in context the visual arts in society.
A knowledge will be developed about the visual arts both in a public and private context.
Investigations of objects, images, visual art styles and genres will be undertaken in past and present cultures.
The significance of the visual arts through practical and theoretical studies for individuals and communities will be examined.
Students will gain skills to identify and place in appropriate contexts objects and images, how they are viewed and their value.
Ways in which art works and traditions are maintained, adapted and appropriated will be explored.
They will learn to understand how a visual culture reflects and is shaped by the beliefs, technologies, needs and values of that society.

Digital Image Photography - New Course 2008

One Term Module - designed to be appropriate to the fragmented time international students spend at Rangitoto College (eg. one term only).

Gain an understanding of single lens reflex cameras film/digital [shutters, apertures, light meters etc].
Discuss elements of successful photographs and examine the differences between casual images and seriously intended photographs.
Shoot film/digital file equivalent and then trade process or print at school [appropriate digital outcome].
Black and white films are introduced and with the possibility of a limited number of cameras they may be shared resulting in a limited number of films developed. Also students select from their own frames on the film and are taught how to print in the darkroom.
Pinhole photography will be used as an appropriate and intriguing method to promote connections from camera to darkroom and beyond.
Introduce and show the relevance of digital photographic software to explore photographic elements. Playing will be discouraged but creative engagement to investigate and apply fundamental photographic principles will be emphasised and encouraged [composition, framing, lighting etc].
Students will use knowledge gained to produce a hard copy photographic diary of time spent at Rangitoto College. eg. school, home, surrounding area [beaches etc], school mates, friends, social matters, places visited, eg. Rotorua [images could be posted to a blog site to show friends and family back home, new skills gained and applied].
Recognition will come in the form of a Rangitoto College Certificate of Proficiency [elements accomplished in course]. It will reflect the new skills gained and the visual learning in particular that has taken place and also visual outcomes reached and presented.

Why Choose the Visual Arts

Visual art education explores, challenges, affirms and celebrates unique artistic expressions of self, community and culture.
Learning in the visual arts stimulates creative actions and response by engaging and connecting, thinking, imagination, senses and feelings. As a consequence personal well being is enhanced and strengthened.
Confidence is built through solving visual problems which enables students to use their energies and abilities to contribute to the wider creative industries.
Through visual arts students learn to work independently and collaboratively and produce art works that show their creative imagination resulting in unexpected outcomes.
Increasing sophistication is the result as skills develop and this encourages the student to view the world from new perspectives providing them with the opportunity to participate and engage in the visual arts throughout their lives.

Where Can It Take You in the Future?

What can you do with it? It can take you into tertiary visual art/design courses, industry training, teacher training or straight in to visual arts/design job with on-site training.

What is the Interest Factor?

As the world is becoming an ever-widening visual arts spectrum the interest factor in this subject area is high and has the potential to be heightened further. With the rapidly increasing release of a never-ending array of visual images, devices and related applications and software, the attention of the student is firmly focused on things visual. As all of these devices require designers both hardware and software; there is literally an unending number of job opportunities that result from the study of the visual arts subject area. It can be said that the interest factor is high and will remain so making the visual arts a very attractive career pathway.

What can you do with Visual Arts and Design?

Quality Indicators

"Design is a process that links ideas with reality. Good design, I believe, seeks a sustainable ecology between the two. When the dream is attained that to me is beauty."

- Quote from Andrew Malloy Ex-student now a practising designer in the UK. Runner up in Sony International Design Competition (designed watch for the visually impaired).

Chester Elliott
Prize winning illustrator/graphic designer.

Alex Teoh
Up and coming architect. Finalist in Architecture Competition.

Mark Craven
Emerging architect for JasMax.

Paul Buckley
Notable industrial designer.

Simon Puschmann
Rangitoto German Exchange student for 1 year. Now internationally recognised photographer.

James Cunningham
Internationally recognised digital movie animator. Finalist in Canne Short Animated Film Division.

Alexus Neal
Master Fine Arts in Printmaking. Prize winner of international competition.

Brad Lochore
International painter.

Student Testimonials

Georgi Turner Y13 Photography 2008
Rangitoto College has a well-respected Photography Department, taught by Mr Bartleet for over 30 years. The department is well resourced, containing two darkrooms/blackrooms as well as a library of over 600 books. The subject is offered to Year 12 and 13 students and is widely popular throughout the school. The course mainly focuses on film photography while digital is an optional choice.

I very strongly recommend photography to any student with interest in the visual arts. Every assignment looks at different styles in photography giving variety to the course. Surrounded by a very knowledgeable Visual Arts staff all student are able to grow from this learning environment. I have found it to be a rewarding subject, both academically and personally. It has given a different dimension to my high school studies.

Jocelyn Visser Y13 Painting & Photography 2008
I have been in this department since I started at Rangitoto College in form three and ever since, due to the support and inspiration of the entire department and my peers, I have constantly improved and extended myself. I love both painting and photography and have always received the support and inspiration I have needed to reach my full potential. Mr Bartleet and Ms Martin especially have always been ready to hear my ideas and extend my creative potential with open hearts and minds. In all my life I could never forget my wonderful experiences in the Visual Arts Department and I thank all the wonderful teachers who have always been there for me.

Katrina Hailstone Y13 Photography 2008
I thoroughly enjoyed photography at Rangitoto College and would highly recommend it. The extensive photography library with over 500 books, the two darkrooms, the two developing rooms and the teacher of many years experience allowed me the opportunity to broaden my knowledge about photography and enabled me to view the visual arts from a completely different angle.