MFA Studio Critique
01/16/2024 - 04/26/2024
Faculty: Zhenzhen Qi
Course Description
This course aims to provide a context for graduate students to meet as a cohort to workshop, critique, and contextualize their work. This graduate critique course aims to bridge a gap in the DMD MFA program between courses devoted to skill acquisition, and the independent creative vision asked of graduate students in their research projects and MFA thesis work. The DMD MFA Studio Critique also aims to provide an academic context for graduate students to build a sense of community, and develop work with influence from and potential collaboration with their graduate student peers. All DMD MFA graduate students are required to take the DMD MFA Studio Critique course four times for a total of 12 credits. In this way, the MFA Studio Critique is designed to be a consistent meeting ground throughout the graduate experience.Course Objectives
Provide a supportive framework and common language for discussion and evaluation of individual artwork across media, Help students gain independence in the development of creative work in preparation for the MFA thesis project and defense. Help students identify, define, clarify and refine the message/concept of their artwork, Support students in talking articulately, cohesively, and intelligently about their own artwork, the work of their peers, and the work of established creative professionals in a group setting, Help students contextualize their own arts practice, Help students prepare their work for public presentation, Help students document their work process, Share collective wisdom, experiences, resources, and information to further the making, viewing and promotion of students’ current and future creative work, Share ideas, question, and challenge the group as a whole and individually, Cross-pollinate our collective disciplines, in order to expand all of our artistic vocabularies.Coursework
Actively work towards developing your independent body of creative work, Present and receive critiques of your current body of creative work every 2-3 weeks, Actively participate in the thoughtful, honest, and analytical critique of your colleagues’ work, and receive critique in a conscientious and productive manner, Identify and discuss the “why” of your work – the philosophical, theoretical, social, [insert your own “of, relating to, or based on” system here], Identify and discuss the “how” of your work – the pragmatic aspects to realizing your creative vision, Identify, present, discuss, and write about artistic, cultural, technological, and/or historical influences as they pertain to, contradict, drive, substantiate, or inspire your work, Prepare your work for public presentation, Document your work and work process, To approach the content of the course and creative opportunities presented with a desire to push beyond individual comfort zones To complete the assignments by scheduled due datesSelected Student Works
*Echoes of Home* by [Yuna Kim](https://www.yunakimdesign.com/) is an immersive experience that explores the ideas of home, displacement, and belonging. Using interactive digital environments, real-time game engine technology, and AI-driven interaction, the project creates virtual spaces that evoke memory and emotion — inviting viewers to reflect on their own experiences and definitions of home. At its core, Echoes of Home transforms digital space into a site for introspection and connection. While physical homes may be impermanent, an authentic inner home can be reclaimed and nurtured—a truth that endures through resilience, memory, and imagination.Echoes of Home won GameFest 2026’s Excellence in Visual Art award and was selected as part of the Pleasure Engineered group exhibition at Accent Sisters Gallery in New York City in April 2026. The exhibition and the work was also featured by Cultbytes.
The Furthest East, by Rein E. Dawson-Darst, is an interplay between two games created with different creative approaches, but united by one story. The audience is invited to explore places that are now deserted and customs that are almost lost, and to learn about the tragic experiences of Koryo-saram. Inspired by her ancestry and drawing from extensive research into historical records and personal testimonies, this artwork aims to preserve the lived experiences of Koryo-saram, foster empathy, and ensure that their pain and resilience are acknowledged by the world. The 2D game (The Furthest East: Requiem) is also available online at https://moriendum.itch.io/east-web.
Woven Garden by Nooshin Farashaei features an interactive website that engages users by showcasing the unseen weavers and includes recordings of Pattern Singing, providing an immersive experience of Persian carpet-weaving heritage. This project aims to honor all the weavers and celebrate the beauty they contribute to humanity. The interactive experience is available at https://newart.city/show/woven-garden.
