CART 414 Matter and Media

Winter 2013

Mondays 13:30 - 17:30

EV 7.735

(see also SIP 637X - SIP 825S)

Course Description

As micro-cameras, sensors, and active, luminous materials become ubiquitous, the space itself between us becomes a sensate and kinetic tissue that extends our expressive bodies.  In this graduate / advanced undergraduate seminar, we explore the emergence of bodies, objects or events in fields of active matter.   We look critically at the technologies of performance vs. technologies of representation.   We explore poetically how continuous transformations could act on living matter. 

This seminar will orient graduate and advanced undergraduates to contemporary work in the critical studies of media arts and sciences, and especially prepare for professional art research via computational media and experimental technologies of performance.   It is designed to  introduce the research questions and approaches that motivate the Topological Media Lab's work in responsive media and installations constructed as phenomenological experiments. It's good preparation for working with students and professionals from neighboring discplines like architecture, performing arts, science studies, computational and botanical sciences.

Students will present critical readings in philosophy, art, performance, and computer science in class.  Students will also have an optional opportunity to create tangible media or responsive installations in small groups.  Students are expected to be already versed in some medium or media, and be prepared to (1) write short essays about theoretical research questions, and / or (2) work with real-time, responsive video, sound, or kinetic media (e.g. Max / Jitter or MSP) to create experimental installation-events.

In Winter 2013, there will be an opportunity for students to participate in a symposium on play as a mode of inquiry, to be held in the Hexagram Blackbox. Part of that may be formatted as an augmented reality parkours between Montreal and Chicago.

In Winter 2013, the graduate parallel to the course includes a choice of advanced topics, such as the following : (1) Muriel Combes, Gilbert Simondon and the Philosophy of the Transindividual, (2) the vegetal as a non-anthropocentric mode of existence or expression.

Prerequisites

This course welcomes advanced undergraduates and graduate students who want to engage challenging texts in close reading and by creating installation-events.  A prior course in philosophy and art, such as CART 255 New Media Theory, is recommended but not required.  Relevant practical experiences can include areas such as fiber arts, performance and theater, sculpture, realtime computational video and sound; wireless sensors; computational physics; and architecture, etc.

Mechanics

The discussions are based on texts that students must read ahead of time. Most of the themes run over two weeks -- two consecutive class sessions.

For every theme 's second session, each student will write a one page reflection and share it with the class during discusion period. Each student will maintain a blog as well, including the response papers. Student writing and projects should respond to the readings and themes accumulated from class discussion.

Final Project

• If you make an artifact (video, application, sketch, installation), write a 3-4 page statement saying:
• What it is;
• What it's about;
• How it responds significantly to the themes of the course.

If you choose to write a paper instead of creating a project:

You will write a 15 page research paper responds to the themes of the seminar. The paper should aspire to the level of writing expected for a journal such as Configurations or Grey Room.

Graduate students will be expected to write the paper in addition to consulting with or otherwise participating in a group project.

Grading

The grade will be based on class participation (15%), the written responses (20%), and the final paper or project (65%).

Syllabus

Bibliography

Student Blogs 2013

Meal 2010