DXARTS 201: FUNDAMENTALS OF DIGITAL AND EXPERIMENTAL ART

MW 1:30 to 3:20, Johnson 026
Professor - Stephanie Andrews, stephnet@u.washington.edu
Office hours - by appointment, Raitt 207
TA - Eunsu Kang, eskang@u.washington.edu
Office hours - Monday 11:30-1:30, Raitt 132
TA - Nicolas Varchausky, varchaus@u.washington.edu
Office hours - by appointment, Raitt 132

DXARTS BFA Application Winter 06 Click Here

SYLLABUS

Please note that this site is a living document and subject to modification as the course progresses.

DESCRIPTION

This foundations level experimental art course introduces students to the principles of digital media creation through a combination of lectures, practical assignments, and studio seminars. Many course resources and homework assignments are web-based. Students must have access to a fast, networked computer outside of class to complete their assignments and engage in coursework. There are several options available on campus. This course is also the evaluation course for DXARTS pre-majors. Work undertaken in this course will be submitted as part of the application portfolio to the program.

Digital media art has been practiced and theorized within frameworks of more traditional media, such as television, avant-garde art, and conceptual art. However, the understanding of what is radically new about digital media often eludes such frameworks, because digital media challenges many of the paradigms that these frameworks are built upon. The need for an original framework that emerges from digital media is imperative for a new medium.

This course will focus on core aspects of digital and new media art by challenging you to produce a series of innovative art projects. Some of these aspects are properties unique to digital media such as dynamic data, interactivity, or networking. Other aspects are subjects commonly taken up in the creation of digital art, such as telematic space, the architecture of time, the body and identity, decentralized authorship and hive-mind behavior. This class will introduce the core conceptual skills necessary to employ digital media in the generative and investigative context of art making.

The course is fast-paced and broad in it's approach to tools and ideas. Several technical arenas of production will be introduced throughout the term. Due to the emphasis on ideas and the swift progress through topics, these techniques will be covered in a basic fashion as opposed to an in-depth investigation. Though software and tools will be provided, it may be helpful if students purchase a copy or obtain evaluation copies of basic programs such as GoLive, Photoshop, iMovie, Garageband, etc. or their equivalent which will be used throughout the course.

CLASS OVERVIEW AND FORMAT

Through the lecture format portion of the course, students will learn basic digital arts history, theory, and design principles ranging from simple programming to poetics in technology arts. Some lectures may feature guest speakers. This course is broken up into diverse topical segments of approximately two weeks each. Within each segment the assignments, lectures, presented projects, and readings relate to the topic.Image processing, web content creation, basic animation, temporal structures, interface design, interaction strategy, narrative structures, video editing, and sound editing will all be introducted. In lectures and through personal exploration of the art projects listed on the course website, you will view and analyze examples of these integrated principles. Working on home computers and lab computers, students complete principle-driven conceptual assignments in phases. They receive technical assistance, and review these assignments with the instructor during lab hours.

COURSE GOALS

Creation of experimental art projects in various media formats based on conceptual assignments.
Understanding of basic techniques for digital art production.
Exploration of digital and experimental art practices in the context of course topics
Developing personal strategies for art making
Expansion of creative realization

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES AND REQUIREMENTS

Ability to be resourceful and seek out help when needed.
Participation in all class activities (discussions, workshops, labs, etc.) is very important and will be monitored closely.
Your participation in group critiques and projects is vital to the experience of the class and your evolution as an artist. Each student will be required to give a verbal presentation of their work as well as critique the work of their classmates.
You are encouraged to share knowledge amongst yourselves during lab times - remember, there's alot you can learn from each other. Please be respectful, however, if someone is working hard and needs to concentrate.
Taking notes in class is encouraged and will help you remember what you've learned when you are working on your own time.
Please do not read email or surf the web during lectures and discussions - it's distracting to all of us, not just you!
You are responsible for your data! Make backups, save often, have a plan ahead of time on how you will manage your files.

ANNOUNCEMENT LIST

There is a announcement list for the class to be used by instructor, TA, and students for announcements, tips, techniques, etc. The list can by accessed at this address:

dxarts201a_wi08@u.washington.edu

REQUIRED READING

Reading assignments will be available as eReserves and references to online resources.

SOFTWARE ACCESS

Information about the University of Washington's computing labs can be found at:

http://catalyst.washington.edu/learning_spaces/computing_commons.html

You can download a free 30-day trial version of Adobe GoLive here.

http://www.adobe.com/products/tryadobe/main.jsp

Information about setting up your UW webspace can be found at:

http://www.washington.edu/computing/web/publishing/students.html

If you are on a windows machine and want to upload to your dante account, check out this link for the Secure FTP software:

http://www.washington.edu/computing/software/uwick/starter/

FREE COMPUTING WORKSHOPS

Catalyst offers over 75 free computing-related workshops at UW Seattle for students, faculty, and staff each quarter. Learn about Catalyst Web Tools, Web Site Creation, Podcasting, Adobe Dreamweaver, Adobe Creative Suite, and more starting January 14. Schedules are online. If you are interested in a custom workshop, send email to catalysthelp@u.washington.edu for details.
http://catalyst.washington.edu/workshops/

PROJECTS

There will be 4 art projects assigned during the quarter. All work must be presented on the due date as scheduled or zero points will be awarded for that assignment. With students permission some of the most successful assignments during the quarter may be hosted on the DXARTS site.

Assignment 1 - Recycle: Exploring the nature of meaning with the creative reconfiguration of pre-existing time-based images and iMovie.
Assignment 2 - Audio Cinema: Use a miniDisc recorder and in-device editing to create a portrait of a day.
Assignment 3 - (in)materialspace: A new interpretation of the concept of space using GoLive and html, published to the internet.
Assignment 4 - Transmission Theatre: Small group project in which a telematic space is created through the use of iChat AV and team participants in two locations.

EVALUATION

Quality of ideas, execution of those ideas, and ability to articulate your thought processes and strategies.
Willingness to explore, experiment, and take genuine artistic chances in your work.
Amount of time spent and depth of engagement.
Participation in creating a community of artists within the context of the course through thoughtful and generous interactions.

GRADING

Participation is worth 20% of your grade, including lab time, workshops, discussions, critiques, and active engagement with all aspects of the class.
The art projects are weighted approximately 80% of the total, each being worth 20%
The final group project will have an element of peer review in addition to the grade for the whole group

POLICIES

No smoking in the classroom or building. No eating, or drinking in the lab.
You are responsible for your data! Back it up, store it in multiple locations, burn it to a disk, do whatever you have to do to ensure it's integrity.
If you have a disability that you think may impact your participation in this class, please contact Disabled Student Services. Every effort will be made to accommodate your needs.
The telephones in all DXARTS/CARTAH facilities may not be used for personal calls of any kind. Telephones may be used by students and other unauthorized personnel ONLY for emergencies. Any use of the telephones for any other purpose may result in the loss of access to the facilities.