Course Description:
In this class we will focus on designing and fabricating interactive and kinetic artwork. Students will learn how to design and implement hybrid art systems that can use computers or circuits to interface with sensors, motors, video, sound, pneumatics and lights. Topics include: the nature of interfaces, narration in random access environments, the poetic potential in electromechanical devices, interactivity and isolation, and integrating time-based mediums such as video and audio into sculptural environments and objects.
Policies:
Arriving late or leaving early (x3) will amount to one absence, deep disappointment.
Participation in the blog is mandatory -- all assignments, information and syllabi requirements are listed on the site.
This class is a collaboration with your peers. Participation in all class assignments, critiques, and projects are crucial and affect your grade.
Assignment Descriptions
Due Dates are listed in the Syllabus:
Assignment 1:
Artist Presentations
Pick an artist or designers who use technology as a creative medium.Their projects should be provocative, creative, and push the evolution of art/design into new territories. Prepare an audio-visual presentation for the class. Web sites, videos, and presentations are appropriate mediums.
They should be 5 to 10 minutes in length.
See Syllabus for links.
Assignment 2:
Generative Pixels
Processing will be used to create dynamic compositions that evolve and mutate over time.
Use the random() and noise() functions to create unpredictable compositions that can be constrained by functions like if() and lerp(). random processes can be coupled with deterministic processes such incrementing (x++) or using the sin() and cos() functions.
Here is a quote by Philip Galanter to help frame the assignment.
Generative art refers to any art practice where the artist creates a process, such as a set of natural language rules, a computer program, a machine, or other procedural invention, which is then set into motion with some degree of autonomy contributing to or resulting in a completed work of art.
Some examples:
Top: Casey Reas, "Process 13 (Software 2)," 2011 from bitforms gallery on Vimeo
Bottom: Generative Gestaltung Lecture - Intro Showreel from onformative on Vimeo.
Assignment 3: Random Motion Machine Use Arduino, sensors, electronics and actuation to create an object that moves chaotically.
Assignment 4: Preliminary Proposal & Individual Meetings -Post to your blog page the night before your meeting- Written preliminary scope of work explaining and illustrating your proposed project for the final show. We will analyze the proposals so we can have an informed discussion during the individual meetings.
Assignment 5: Prototype 1 Present first prototype to instructors. It should demonstrate that the technology is do-able.
Assignment 6: Prototype 2 Present second prototype to instructors. Demonstrate that the technology component is functioning in it's final form.
Assignment 6: FINAL CRITIQUE -Saturday 5:00 12/14 Interface Show -Saturday 12/14 from 7:00 to 9:30 You can't miss this show!!!
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Visual Communication
Information Literacy
Creative Thinking
Professional Practice
Quantitative Reasoning
Collaboration
CCA GRADING POLICY
All CCA courses are graded according to the following system:
A Outstanding Achievement, Significantly Exceeds Standards
B Commendable Achievement, Exceeds Standards
C Acceptable Achievement, Meets Standards
C-Substandard, Must repeat the course. You will still receive studio elective credit.
D Marginal Achievement, Below Standards, Must repeat course
F Failing, No credit received
HOW YOUR GRADE WILL BE DETERMINED IN THIS CLASS:
ATTENDANCE POLICY
Regular attendance in all classes is required. Students are expected to arrive on time and remain in class for the entire period scheduled. The responsibility for work missed due to any type of absence rests with the student. Attendance is mandatory. Three unexcused absences will result in a student failing the class. Three late arrivals is equivalent to one unexcused absence.
If a student is very sick they must communicate with their faculty. The student should not come to class as we are in close quarters and the student will get others sick. It is up to the student, in consult with the faculty member(s), to come up with work to make up for a missed class or it will affect the student’s grade.
ACCESS AND WELLNESS
Access and Wellness provides services to enrolled students who have a documented permanent or temporary physical, psychological or sensory disability (including pregnancy-related disabilities) that qualifies them for academic accommodations under the law. To obtain services through Access and Wellness, contact the Director of Access and Wellness Services, Suzanne Guevarra at 510.594.3775, or sguevarra@cca.edu, to schedule an appointment, or stop by the office (Irwin Student Center) to coordinate reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities.
Follow the link for more information https://www.cca.edu/students/disability
CCA CARES
If you or a student you know is having is in need or support of any kind please fill out a CCA Cares form. This helps connect students to the many resources available to them at CCA.
https://www.cca.edu/students/dean/cares/form
For urgent, non-emergency mental health issues requiring immediate attention, call CCA's mental health crisis hotline number: 510.594.5099
CREATIVE RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
CCA strives to provide an academic environment that supports and challenges our students to grow, learn and create. While classrooms, studio spaces and teaching styles may vary, all of these environments must be safe places where every student has the ability to strive and succeed. These are collaborative settings where the needs of the individual student must be balanced with the overall needs of the group. Students, staff and faculty share a responsibility for creating and maintaining such an environment. Behavior that is disruptive to the learning process of others will be addressed.
The college encourages frank discussion and honest expression in the studio and classroom. Art and learning require the open exchange of different ideas and perspectives. All students at CCA should feel free to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in their course of study and to create art that expresses their ideas with boldness and conviction.
However, each individual’s freedom of expression must also be weighed with our shared goal of creating a vibrant and inclusive artistic and intellectual community. For this reason, CCA does not condone expression that singles out specific people or groups for gratuitous insult or that interferes with the learning experience of other members of the college community. Repeated abusive or disruptive expression or expression in a manner that violates the college’s policies against unlawful discrimination and harassment may lead to disciplinary action.
The full Student Handbook can be found online here: https://www.cca.edu/students/handbook/