Introduction to Computing in
the Arts
Spring
2002
Instructor Tony
Allard
antalla@cox.net
Lecture: Wednesdays 4:40 pm - 6:30 pm
Location: Center Hall 109
Office Hours: Wednesday 6:45 - 7:45 PM, VAF 408
Teaching Assistants:
COURSE
OVERVIEW
Introduction to Computing in the Arts
This course will provide you with a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the diverse and dynamic field of computing arts and cultural production. Like the field of computing arts, this course will be diverse and dynamic and seeks to provide the student with a historical, theoretical, aesthetic, and technical introduction to the challenges inherent in the merging of art, culture and computing. The lectures will be presented in hybrid form, consisting of a mix of traditional lectures and multimedia, performance-based delivery of information (at times I will lecture as my avator, The Prophet of @). These hybrid lectures will examine the history of computers and a wide array of users of computers, including, among others, artists, musicians, designers, pranksters, political activists and ordinary citizens.
The lectures are organized around primary topics of inquiry and are intended to provide a critical and aesthetic framework for considering all types of digital and electronic media. The ten lectures are divided into key theoretical concepts which underlie the use of computers in visual arts--such as human-computer interface, hypertextual narratives, hypermedia, "Culture Jamming", interactivity, artificial intelligence, artificial life, cyborgs and cyberspace. Throughout the quarter, we will view a broad range of work by artists who use the computer as a medium, as a tool, as subject matter or all of the above. Inside and outside of class you will see and interact with artwor on CD-ROM, the Web and videos as well as other cultural artifacts of the digital age, from computer console games to online chat rooms.
The
lab sessions are run by the TAs. Students will learn
basic skills of general computer use, Web design and
computer media manipulation. Students will use these
artistic and practical skills, as well as applying
the knowledge acquired through the hybrid lectures,
and readings, to complete creative projects. Lab sessions
include technical demonstrations, independent work
under TA supervision and presentations and discussions
of students' work.
Week to Week Schedule Schedule
& Lectures
Projects:
#1
#2
#3
CLASS
REQUIREMENTS and EVALUATION
1. Art projects(3 projects) 50%
2. Final exam 25%
3. attendance/participation in discussion (in lab
and on-line) 25%
A (91-100) = excellent, B (81-90) =above average,
C (71-80) =average, D (61-70)=below average, F (60
& below) =unacceptable
GRADING
POLICY AND GENERAL RULES
All assignments must be turned in on time at the beginning
of section. Failure to complete work on due date will
result in a full letter grade reduction for each subsequent
class in which project is not turned in. Creative
projects will be graded on the basis of original ideas,
artistic form and technical skills.
Final projects must be turned in on time to receive credit. No late final projects will be accepted. There is no scheduled make-up time for the final exam. You are responsible for informing the professor of any conflict at least three weeks prior to the exam.
ATTENDANCE
Students must sign attendance sheet to lectures and
lab. Arriving to class late, forgetting to sign attendance
sheet or leaving early will count as an absence on
the student's record. In the case of an excused absence,
student will provide a written excuse or a doctor's
note. Student will be allowed one unexcused absence
for a lecture and one for a lab during the quarter.
After this limit, each unexcused absence will automatically
lower your grade one half a letter grade.
DISCLAIMER
In this class I reserve the right to show a broad
range of course materials, some of which assume the
audience to be adult in age and demeanor. Should you
at any time in the course of the class feel offended
by something you have seen or heard, we would appreciate
you staying to be part of a dialogue. If you feel
that you cannot stay, remove yourself from the classroom
as discretely as possible. You may be asked to report
on your response.
REQUIRED
MATERIALS
Floppy discs and ZIP discs as required for backing
up projects. Printing account with ACS.
AP&M B349 computer lab: Each registered student will also be given access to the lab for the duration of the quarter, controlled by a personal Key Code. The account information and the Key Code will be supplied by your TA. The server is regularly backed up by ACS.
Computer
accounts: Each student registered for the class will
receive a UNIX computer account on sgva-serv1 UNIX
server. The account information will be supplied by
your TA. Storing your work: During working session,
store your files on the hard drive of your NT computer.
When you finished working for the day, move your files
to your account on sgva-serv1 UNIX server.
REQUIRED
TEXT
Interface Culture by Stephen Johnson (available
at Groundworks and also on Amazon.com)
ON-LINE
readings through hyperlinks on syllabus (below)
ON-LINE
JOURNALS & LISTSERVES TO SUBSCRIBE TO OR SURF
Rhizome
Zonezero
Ctheory
Hotwired
RECOMMENDED Art Sites/Online Exhibitions
Adaweb
hotwired
RGB gallery
the
Remedi Project
Beyond
Interface
shockoftheview
Through
the looking glass
Art
Entertainment Network
PaperVeins
Digibodies
Gamasutra
Shimon
Attie
NET ANIMATION AND DESIGN
SuperBad
SiteSakamoto
Eric
Loyer, Lair of the Marrow Monkey
PotatoLand
Praystation
Sodaplay
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