icam 110 syllabus

visiting artists

Guest presentations this quarter by:
• April 11 Tristan Shone (MFA, UCSD, 2007) designs, fabricates, and performs with custom sound instruments, and manages the fabrication lab at CRCA (the Center for Research on Computing in the Arts) on the UCSD campus.Tristan's Vimeo page with recent performances, pratice sessions, etc. Here is a link to Youtube video Tristan Shone's Industrial Doom Music: A Lenovo IdeaPad Story. Some Instruments and Sound Machines designed and fabricated by Tristan. An San Diego Reader article on Tristan's performance. Wired Magazine article: Tristan Shone: The one-man metal band. The mentors/collaborators Tristan talked about working with: Chris Csikszentmihalyi and Matt Hope
• April 18 Aaron Gidding research assistant on the Levantine project in Jordan and Israel. This research group is using cyber-archeology (new methods of data collection and modelling) These tools are useful not only in constructing a picture of the past, but also to build content for creative or cultural exchange. The Cyber-archaeology Lab develops technologies for exploring the relationship between material culture and human behavior in the past and present. On TED find a paper on Data in Archaeology under CONTENT. This paper describes new onsite data collection and modelling techniques.
• April 23 Riccardo Dominguez , a co-founder of The Electronic Disturbance Theater (EDT), who developed Virtual-Sit-In technologies in 1998 in solidarity with the Zapatista communities in Chiapas, Mexico. He is co-Director of Thing, an ISP for artists and activists. A recent Electronic Disturbance Theater collaborative project the *Transborder Immigrant Tool a GPS cellphone safety net tool for crossing the Mexico/U.S border. Riccardo is Principal/Principle Investigator at CALIT2 Bang Lab. He also co-founder of *particle group* a recent video: nano_Garage(s): Speculations about Open Fabbing - from the Visarts faculty pages. Riccardo discussed Critical Art Ensemble and Gran Fury in his talk. For more background on early practitioners of internet art activism see net.net.net. and projects from The Yes Men
• April 30 Peter Otto specializes in hardware/software design and engineering, including instrumentation and facilities design, systems and networking applications, and a wide array of media technology research and development areas. Classically trained in musical arts performance and composition, he completed his graduate work at California Institute of the Arts in Los Angeles in 1984, and continued on in a faculty appointment at that prestigious institution. His vitae includes long associations with seminal figures Morton Subotnick and Luciano Berio. - from the Dept. of Music Faculty page See page for Sonic Arts Research and Development – a research and development group at the University of California San Diego, committed to forward-thinking research and implementation of modern audio technologies for commercial and academic applications.
• May 7 Michelle Leonhart (ICAM 2007) is working as a software engineer building the mobile communication application textPlus. She co-founded the LAMakerspace and she co-run the LA hackerspace Crashspace (DIY production and events). Here is a basic overview of what a hackerspace/makerspace is. Some of the projects that came out of these initiatives include: SafeCast, from Crashspace.   FlipBooKIT, from Crashspace.   MakerBot, from NYC Resistor.  Videos of a Crashspace project Michelle didn't get to show in class: Robbie DeLong Creative music production using circuit bending, wiimotes, nintendo controllers, samples & loops, etc.
• May 9 Amy Alexander (ICAM Faculty) Amy Alexander is a new media, audiovisual and performance artist who has also worked in film, video, music and information technology. Her current and recent work approaches digital media art from a performing arts perspective, often examining intersections of art and popular culture. Amy’s projects have been presented on the Internet, in clubs and on the street as well as in festivals and museums. See Amy's website for her projects, performances and software projects. Also read Women, Art & Technology: A Conversation with Amy Alexander
• May 14 Martin Lopez (Muir 1984) Sound Designer and Sound Supervisor in the film industry since 1995. Martin graduated from the University of California at San Diego, where in his junior year he redirected his studies from Biochemistry to Film. His first credit was for Special Sound Design on Twister. Since then Martin has worked his craft on over 50 films, including three of the Spider-Man films. - from the IMDB website. Martin's Biography with list of film projects. Portrait of a Sound Designer from KBPS. Martin Lopez on Sound Editing vs. Sound Mixing. Discussion with Martin on a Sound Career
• May 16 Harold Cohen known for his early experimental compositions using custom software and printers to generate large scale formal paintings. One of the few artists ever to have become deeply involved in artificial intelligence, Cohen has given invited papers on his work at major international conferences on AI, computer graphics and art technologies. - from the crca website. See aaronshome.com for gallery, video, and other materials on Mr. Cohen's work
• May 21 Eduardo Macagno(UCSD Dept Biology) will present research in Neuroscience in Architecture. Starting with the human visual system and how the brain works, Eduardo will describe how architectural design can or should comply with human perception. Presentation of a project at Calit2’s VR CAVEs to monitor brain activity in 3D immersive VR environments. This project studies wayfinding in built spaces. Other healthcare issues related to architecture will also be discussed. Read: Spatial Cognition and Architectural Design in 4D Immersive Virtual Reality
• May 23 Saura Naderi works on a television series featuring 12 giant robots who ‘fight to the death’. University of California, San Diego engineering physics and Warren College alumna Saura Naderi (B.S., '07) is one of a dozen ‘robo-techs’ who partner with a human fighter (‘robo-jockey’) and a super-sized robot to compete for a $100,000 prize. - more from ucsd news about Naderi
• May 28 Avery Caldwell professional accomplishments span digital media, architecture, graphic design, and visualization. A few notable positions in his past include founder and president of the Beverly Hills design firm From Form 2 Morf, art director for Art Connoisseur magazine, design coordinator for California Federal Bank, and curator of the UCLA Athletic Hall of Fame as well as professorships at several colleges. - from the New School Leadership Team webpage. A short Q&A session with Avery.
• May 30 Yvette Jackson Ethnomusicologist, story teller, educator, radio performer, foley expert, and sound designer
• June 4 Erik Luhtala Director of the Materials Lab at the New School of Architecture in San Diego. Erik designs furniture and domestic objects, merging physical computing and ergonomics.

weekly schedule of assignments & activities

Use TED to submit your homework assignments online. In-class Assignments must be turned in on paper by the end of class. Between 5/7 and 6/4 you can earn Participation points by handing in the following to the Lecturer by end of each Guest Presentation: A piece of paper with your full name on it, and a sentence that describes how that day's presentation relates to your Course Paper topic or thesis.

finals week june 10-15

The final submission deadline for your final Course Paper is on Monday June 10 end of day (by midnight) on TED. Multiple submissions are NOT permitted for your final Course Paper assignment. I will be available on Monday June 10 from 1:30 - 2:30p at my usual meeting location in case anyone wants to discuss course related issues during Finals Week. If you would like me to review your Course Paper on that day, you will need to bring it printed out on paper in 12-point type or larger. There is a printing service on the lower floor of Perks coffee shop. Please do not ask me to read anything on small mobile devices.

week 10 june 4-9

On June 6 students will convene in small groups during our regularly scheduled class time for Peer Review discussions. I will assign everyone to groups of four on June 2nd. If you prefer to organize your own Peer group, please notify me before June 2nd by giving me the full names of the 4 people in your group. June 6th is the last date to earn credit for Participation. On that day you will be asked to submit a piece of paper with your name on it, along with handwritten feedback from your peer group. Specifically, you will be asked to write down 2 comments from peers that were helpful to you. This paper must be submitted in person to the Lecturer on June 6th by end of class (or at 2:30 p.m. outside Perks Cafe) You are expected to distribute an copy of your paper to your Peers prior to June 6th. You are expected to read the 3 Peer papers you receive before June 6th, and to prepare by writing down questions and comments for each Peer. You should respond to the following: clarity of language, coherence, originality, and for the substantiation of the thesis statement.

week 9 may 28- june 3

See online resource from the Writing Lab at Purdue University A fantastic resource for anyone developing a course paper.

If you missed the first two weeks of class you may submit an In-Class Assignment for each Presentation as follows: Submit a piece of paper with your full name on it. Write down a sentence that explains how the presentation is relevant to your Course Paper Topic. Reference something the Speaker said or demonstrated that relates to your Topic. Submit this paper to the Lecturer before you leave class. Each In-Class Assignment is worth 2 points, for a maximum of 10 Participation Points this quarter. (If you did not miss any classes, and if you submitted all In-Class Assignemnts/Activities, you do not need to do this extra assignment. Including June 6th, each non-presentation class includes an In-Class Assignment, totalling 10 points)

week 8 may 21-27

Presentations this week Read: Spatial Cognition and Architectural Design in 4D Immersive Virtual Reality. Write down questions for Eduardo Macagno for our May 21 presentation

week 6 may 7-13

Based on feedback on your Paper Proposals, read about and research your paper topic. Your Paper Outline or Rough Draft is due May 12th at midnight. Going forward, late homework may result in a grade of "0" for that assignment. Tip: submit homework on time, even if it's not complete.

week 5 april 30 - may 6

Based on feedback on your Paper Proposals, read about and research your paper topic. Your Paper Outline or Rough Draft is due May 10th at midnight.

Presentation on 4/30 Meet at Conrad Presby Music Hall, Room 122 Experimental Music Theatre (see our announcements for map) for our presentation by Peter Otto. By now you should be in the habit of reading the material provided for each artist before their presentation, and forumulating questions which do not replicate the information already provided! Thank you.

On 5/2 I will assign the third and final of 3 Homework assignments – this one on the History of Computing Art. Addtionally, we will discuss our expections for your Course Papers, and the difference between meeting requirements and earning an above-average grade for your Paper!

week 4 april 23-29

Submit your initial Paper Proposals by Friday 4/26 on TED. You will recieve feedback Comments for this TED assignment from both your Reader (Mateo or Ned), as well as from the lecturer.

In-class activity 4/23 In small groups, students will be asked to share and brainstorm ideas about Course Paper topics. Make sure you are already familiar with the course paper guidelines (bottom of this page) and with the visiting artists this quarter beforehand.

Before Thursday's presentation by Riccardo Dominguez make sure to read and view the links provided above on his work and research. Think of a good question for Riccardo. You do not have to submit anything for this preparation. But your questions should reflect your preparation.

week 3 april 16-22

In-class activity 4/16 Read paper provided by Aaron Gidding "Archaeology’s Data Avalanche" PDF file available on TED under CONTENT. Work together in pairs or groups to understand this paper, which describes new ways of seeing Big Data – in this case geologic data. Consider how such visualisation techniques, and the tools that collect data, could be useful in a creative or cultural context. Submit 2 questions for Aaron, hand written on paper.

Homework #2 Please go see a Performance, Exhibition, or event related to Computing Art or Technology and Art. Keep your eye on these Recommended events on campus. Submit a short write-up of this event by June 6th using these guidelines.

week 2 april 8-15

In-class activity 4/11 We listened to and read about Tristan Shone's performance, sound instruments, etc. Students each wrote down 2 questions for Tristan and handed them in.

week 1 april 1-7

In-class activity 4/4 A look backward and forward. Early Locative Media projects include Trace by Teri Rueb (1999) and The Gambit by Kati Rubinyi (2000). The former utilizes GPS to deliver content to the User: traditional poems and songs along an ancient footpath. The latter utilizes a digital compass to track User position, and to deliver images and text based on progression on foot around the interior of a large indoor space. These early works used custom software and pre-recorded media to respond to a Users movement. New Cyber-archaeology tools are useful "Locative" tools that yield new on-site data, and formulate a useful picture of large amounts of data relevant to a site. Cyber-Archaeology and the Levantine Project Group: Tools used by the group to image the ground. How can these imaging technologies be used in a creative computing or media project?

In-class activity 4/2 Students wrote down suggestions for Presentations this quarter: Industries, Artists, Musicians, general topics, etc.

Homework #1 Using the links on the course Resource page, or your own research, to read about interdisciplinary computing art projects that interest you. What trends do you notice in computing art? Describe 3 examples from different online sources that seem to support an important direction in computing art. Provide a link to each of the 3 examples. Submit this short report online using the assignment set up for this purpose in TED by the end of the week

course guidelines

attendance and participation

Attendance in class lecture and lab is required. Missing a class will put you behind and at a disadvantage. If you are absent from the room when information is given, it is up to you to get that information from your classmates or from the course website

Cellphones, Laptops should be put away, unless you are looking up information to share with the class. You may be asked to leave the class if electronic devices become a distraction to the Lecturer or TA

project rules
1. Students are responsible for backing up written assignments through the last day of the quarter. Students will not receive credit for missing work
2. Quotes should have an appropriate credit. All copy must be spell-checked and proofread.
3. Plagiarism (using someone else’s text or work as your own) may result in a grade of F on the project, a referral to the Department, the possibility of failure in the course, and the possibility of expulsion from the school.

grading breakdown (100 points total)
• In-class disucssion and assignments: 10 points
• Homework Assignments: 15 points
• Paper Proposal (due 4/26): 5 pts
• Paper outline or rough draft (due 5/10): 20 pts
• Final Paper (due 6/6): 50 pts