art.tech.science

fall

Semester One

Woodbury University // Media Technology

Course Number: Fall 2011 TECH 101 // Art, Science and Technology I

Instructor: Arno Kroner // arno@arnokroner.com

Course schedule // links // assignments updates: https://www.ats.arnokroner.com

A foundation course composed of introductory modules devoted to theoretical and applicable topics in art, science and technology.  Topics may include computer graphics, computer animation, architectural visualization, computer music, recording techniques, interactive stagecraft, robotic art, and other emerging media. 3 units. Studio. Prerequisite: None.

Lectures occur on the first weekly class. The technology required to do the exercises is introduced on the second weekly class for use for the following week’s assignment. The results of the exercises are due a week later. Occasionally and randomly a 10 minute quiz might be given about the assigned reading (first weekly session). Readings are not all text, they can be web sites, movies, songs, podcasts etc. Students have to maintain a real sketch/note book and a blog/multimedia journal documenting their experience in the class.

Essays – 1500 words +/- 5%

  1. Analyze how technology has helped the work of artists across time. Argument how technology is helping art or being an impediment to creativity.
  2. What makes science art? What is the common ground between art and science? What separates the two?

Grading

  • Midterm exam / presentation: 15%
  • Final exam / presentation: 25%
  • Weekly exercises: 15%
  • Quality and pertinence of blog / sketch / note book: 15%
  • Essays: 15%
  • Quizzes: 10%
  • Class participation and attendance: 5%

Textbooks

Supplies

See also the Resource tab on this site for more to read and watch.

Attendance

Class attendance is required and is a strong determinate to the students’ success in the course. Roll will be taken and absences beyond 3 will lower the final grade. Students with absenteeism in excess of 4 will be encouraged to drop the course. It is important that students who are not prepared with their assignments still be present for valuable class critiques. Students should obtain 2 phone numbers from student colleagues and be prepared for the next class should they be absent.

Project Labeling and Archive Policies

Students are required to include a Woodbury ID label containing the following information on the back of all projects submitted to the instructor:

class number
class name
semester
instructor’s name
student’s name
student’s contact information.

Media should be labeled on the package, and name, class and year should be included on the media/ disc.  A printable pdf of the Woodbury ID labels are available on the portal in the MCD: Animation link on the Student page.  Blank Avery labels may be purchased at the bookstoor. Projects will not be accepted without this information.  The university reserves the right to retain student work for archival purposes.  See the Woodbury Catalog for the official policy on archiving of student work.

Late Projects

Late or incomplete assignments and projects are discouraged and will adversely affect the students overall grade. Late projects will receive a one number grade reduction for each class meeting past the deadline.  Projects more than 3 class meetings late will not be accepted. Projects will not be accepted after the last regular class session. Students are required to participate in the juried final review.  Failure to attend the review will result in an automatic F.

Academic Honesty Policy

See complete policy on line at: http://my.woodbury.edu/Staff/AA/Shared%20Documents/Approved%20Academic%20Honesty%20Policy.pdf

 

Essential to the mission of Woodbury University is a commitment to the principles of academic integrity and ethical behavior.  Because the integrity of the academic enterprise of an institution of higher education requires honesty in scholarship and research, academic honesty is required at Woodbury University.  Adherence to the Academic Honesty Policy reflects the commitment of our community to the value of learning and our core principle of social responsibility.

Definitions of Academic Honesty

  1. CHEATING is the act or attempted act of deception by which a student seeks to misrepresent that he/she has mastered information on an academic exercise that he/she has not mastered.
  2. FABRICATION is the use of invented information or the falsification of research or other findings in an academic exercise.
  3. FACILITATING ACADEMIC DISHONESTY is intentionally or knowingly helping or attempting to help another commit an act of academic dishonesty.
  4. PLAGIARISM is the submission of another’s work as one’s own, without adequate attribution. When a student submits work for credit that includes the words, ideas or data of others, the source of the information must be acknowledged through complete, accurate, and specific references, and, if verbatim statements are included, through quotation marks or indentation as appropriate.

Writing Center

The Writing Center is available to all Woodbury University students and provides free tutoring for writing papers.  For help with papers, a student may visit the Writing Center.  Check the Student tab on the Portal, right hand side under Resources/Academic/Writing Center for an explanation of services and hours.

Code of Student Conduct

See Student Handbook online at:

http://www.woodbury.edu/s/131/index.aspx?sid=131&gid=1&pgid=1731

Class Schedule

Week 1 – 8.22.11/8.24.11

  • Introduction // Co-Emergent Research, Tools and Creations (Arno Kroner)
    Readings: watch Particle Falls on Vimeo // John Maeda – The Laws of Simplicity Chapters 0, 1, 2, 3 (FYI web site is here)
    Exercises: sketch the machine of your dreams. Explain what it does and why. What are the benefits of the machine to you and society as a whole?

Week 2 – 8.29.11/8.31.11

  • Foundation Theory // The Nature + Science of Sound (Lecture – Marty Tippens)  // Open-source // Intro to MAX/MSP #1
    Readings: How Digital Audio Works (PDF) – Watch Honda The Cog
    Resources: Learn about Max/Msp/Jitter – also: Max tutorials “Hello” to “Numerical User Interfaces” (within the Max/Msp Help system)
    Exercises: play with the Max tutorial patches and hack one to make something original.

Week 3 – 9.7.11

  • Tinkering and Circuit Bending // Junkyard Creativity // Intro to MAX/MSP #2
    Readings: explore the Make Projects web site. Be ready to discuss 5 projects that you like (needs to be documented in notebook or on blog) - John Maeda – The Laws of Simplicity Chapters Laws 4, 5, 6, Watch: TED Lecture: Johnny Lee Wii Remote Hacks
    Exercises: find a discarded piece of technology and breath new life into it. Document the process (photos, videos, journal, bring the result to class). How do you envision the potential of discarded technology for the sake of creating art? PLUS program a Celcius to Fahrenheit converter in Max (make it look fun). Here is a link to the Thermopiano made in class.

Week 4 – 9.12.11/9.14.11

Week 5 – 9.19.11/9.21.11

  • Foundation Theory // “Things that messed with my head in the decades before I got into video games.” (Guest Lecture – William Novak) // Intro to Arduino
    Readings: Getting Started with ArduinoChapters 1,2,3,4 – Watch: TED Lecture: The Painter and the Pendulum
    Exercises: implement the “Blinking a LED” Arduino project. Document how it went in your journal / on your blog.
    Essay #1: due on second weekly session (PDF emailed to instructor before the start of class)

Week 6 – 9.26.11/9.28.11

Week 7 – 10.3.11/10.5.11

Week 8 – 10.12.11

Week 9 – 10.17.11/10.19.11

  • Theory and Wrap up // Mid-Term Evaluation
    Readings: Getting Started with Processing – Chapters 8, 9, 10 // John Maeda – The Laws of Simplicity Key 1, 2, 3 and Life (TED Video here)
    Exercises (midterm): Complete the arduino/max/jitter rig. Midterm exam consist of the presentation of the concept and demonstration of how it works. Including explaining why it’s a project that combines art, science and technology. Full documentation on blog required. Also midterm is the pitch session for the final collaborative projects.

Week 10 – 10.24.11/10.26.11

  • Collaborative Exploration – StudioLab Time & Mentoring – Presentation: Carlyn Maw from Machine Project
    Watch: TED Lecture: David Bolinsky Animates a Cell
    Exercises:  in your sketchbook and blog design the perfect StudioLab – describe the features (equipment, furniture, building, location, people etc) – NEW: build a family of robots in processing using the robot you previously created and turning it into an object (then create variations).

Week 11 – 10.31.11/11.2.11

  • Collaborative Exploration – StudioLab Time & Mentoring Lecture: Preparing and Pitching a team project (Arno Kroner) - Project Status Updates
    Readings: The NOKIA Design Manifesto (PDF) – be prepared to explain how it applies to your group project. Watch: TED Lecture: Stunning Data Visualization in the AlloSphere
    Exercises: in your sketchbook and blog draw or describe how a personal computer sees and perceives you.

Week 12 – 11.7.11/11.9.11

Week 13 – 11.14.11/11.16.11

  • Collaborative Exploration – StudioLab Time & Mentoring – Project Status Updates
    Readings: Visit 5 Artists / Projects links  on the right and write about it on your blog. Be explicit, detailed and articulate regarding how they mix science and art. Watch: TED Lecture: Janna Levin – The Sound the Universe Makes
    Exercises: using what you have learned so far, create a device that says “hello good morning how are you?” (or whatever you like) when the light is switched on in the room.

Week 14 – 11.21.11

  • Collaborative Exploration – StudioLab Time & Mentoring  – Project Status Updates
    Readings: Surprise yourself and the class by finding interesting projects in art.science.technology on the Web. Be ready to share and present. Watch: TED Lecture – Mae Jemison on Teaching Art and Science Together
    Exercises: go to 5 different forums relating to the project you are working on. Ask questions and get answers and advice about your project. Document with links on your blog.

Week 15 – 11.28.11/11.30.11

  • Collaborative Exploration – StudioLab Time & Mentoring  – Final Evaluation
    Essay #2: due on last day of class.  (PDF emailed to instructor before the start of class)
    Final Exam: presentation of the collaborative projects.