Locations: Hopkins Hall Rm. HC156
Robotic / game / bio arts lab: Room 160
Fabrication Facility: 3D lab room 175
A & T print lab 380A
Woodshop in Hopkins Hall
Professor/Artist Jacklyn Brickman
(Office hours by appointment only)
Robotics/Bio Arts/Gaming lab Hopkins 160
Course description:
Approaches to new media; electronic and digital control of objects, projections, and sound in interactive installations, performances, and exhibitions.
Course objectives:
This studio course will cover a range of conceptual and hands-on approaches to making artworks with microprocessor board-level electronics, programming languages, motors, and sensors.
This course explores art at the intersections of electronic and software control utilizing the Arduino microcontroller. Hands-on demonstrations, tutorials, lectures, art presentations, discussions of readings will culminate with the production of a final project. An additional platform we may explore this semester is Max/MSP/Jitter and the physical world, through the analog & digital sensors. Algorithmic approaches to connect video & sound to sensors and alternative display methodologies will also be explored.
Lectures, video, DVDs and web sources will augment the technical issues of how to develop and think about interactive art and environments. The focus will be on developing an aesthetic that is appropriate to the use of microcontroller based artworks.
Parts suppliers and sources, fundamental mechanics, gearing systems, mechanical transmissions, universal joints, pull string mechanics, cams, electronic prototyping, cyanoacrylate, and balsa wood prototyping and the necessary tools to do electronic measurements like the multimeter will be covered. Machines and devices will be dissected in order to discover their logic and utilize their mechanisms to create larger integrated works.
For those familiar with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, there is an option to utilize the Laser Cutter in our Arts and Design Research labs. Students familiar with 3D modeling and rapid prototyping can utilize the 3D software to design and print their works using the Fab Lab 3D Facility on the Type A 3D printers.
Learning outcomes:
Students conceptualize and build an interactive artwork in a project-based learning environment
Understand component level electronics
Read electronic schematics
learn Arduino IDE programming languages
Conceptualize, design and propose a project for production
Explore materiality and construction techniques in pursuing their projects
learn to breadboard circuits, test and transfer to circuit boards
Learn MAX MSP and Jitter and relation to Arduino (optional)
Question and implement interface ideas in new forms of interactive artwork and invention
Test their artworks in the field in the final exhibition at end of the semester
learn to blog, post and write about their work for in-class-critiques
Texts
Interactive Electronics for Artists and Inventors by Ken Rinaldo. With sections and lessons by Trademark Gunderson.
Readings will also be available through this website.
Required microprocessor, parts and materials will be provided second & or third days of class
Other materials for the production of your final project will be necessary and must be purchased by each student.
Other required equipment:
Headphones (you supply, Bring to class please)
A suggested purchase is an inexpensive MAX License that can be $9.99 per month or $59.for the full year or
One year license of MAX
Soldering irons are available for soldering though I can recommend a good one for those wishing to continue to invent and build.
IMPORTANT ***** Each and every class you should bring all materials to class including your multimeter.******
Your design and parts notebook with all data sheets should also be brought to each class and you should be prepared to share your blog at any time to discuss your progress and design as it evolves.
As part of your class fee you will receive:
Arduino UNO and programming cable
LEDs
Jumper Wires
A digital multimeter
Breadboard
Electronic Parts
Materials for individual final projects
This class includes the requirement to produce a work of art for the final Art & Technology exhibition. The final project must demonstrate input and programmed output to some device, electronic or mechanical, that unifies the control system, your custom program, and some art object or installation.
You can work alone or in a group of no more than three people. If the project is a group effort the scale of the project must reflect this extra available. Final projects will be completed both during class time and after class.
You will begin your final project by conceptualizing and making quick rough sketches of 4 ideas and then creating more detailed sketches. Once an idea is decided upon in consultation with the professor the student will undergo the process of designing more reified versions in the process of getting ready to build the project. I would recommend using Illustrator, Photoshop, or Cinema 4D to model your project and to work out details. Keep a sketchbook of your ideas available for our mutual viewing in every class as well as blog addresses handy.
For the final project, decide if you want a temporary or permanent piece, a continuous or intermittent piece, an autonomous or operator activated piece, or an installation. Would you like a gallery to be able to construct the work (plug and play) or will you have to travel to construct the work each time?
The success of your artwork or invention will rest on these factors, so consider:
Your available time
Cost & availability of materials
The people necessary to realize project and their availability
The learning curves necessary to learn the new material
Availability of tools for the project
In the process of designing and conceptualizing your work, you will be presenting your ideas to the class as an approval/brainstorming committee that will make suggestions as to possible problems and solutions and the aesthetic merits of the work.
CAVEATS:
KISS principle (keep it simple and stupid) Use existing systems, rather than reinventing a mechanism.
Grading:
An “A” in this course will require that your assignments far exceed the minimum expectations for both quality, and concept delivered in a timely fashion. A deep understanding of the ideas and processes presented and a clear innovative incorporation of the material into your developed aesthetic. Your contribution to class discussions as well as your contribution to class critiques is vital for an A.
Class critiques will occur during the discussion brainstorming of the project and 2 days before the final show are mandatory.
To receive a letter grade of “C” you must complete assignments, maintain regular attendance, participate in class discussions, and in-class critiques. You must further show a comprehension of the technical elements of the hardware and software you are studying and demonstrate a minimum of creative exploration to realize your idea and communicate your aesthetic to the class.
Grading:
Final project, end of quarter exhibition, and class assignments: 40%
Drawings and designs: 20%
Class discussions and critiques: 20%
Attendance: 20%
Grading scale:
A 94-100, A 90-9, B+ 88-89, B 83-87, B 83-8, B- 80-82, C+ 78-79, C 73-77, C-71-72, D+69-70, D 64-68, E 0-63
Department of Art Attendance Policy
Timely and regular attendance is an expectation of all courses in the Department of Art. We understand that each student may upon occasion need to be away from class due to illness or other important matters. The following policy recognizes these life issues while establishing a set of academic standards that must be adhered to.
Attendance Policy: Absences are not excused, Attendance is mandatory in all scheduled classes and labs as all absences in a studio environment impede student progress. For absences occurring during the withdrawal period:
For courses meeting once per week, students who are absent a third (3) time will be required to withdraw from the course.
For courses meeting twice per week, students who are absent a sixth (6) time will be required to withdraw from the course.
For courses meeting three times per week, students who are absent a ninth (9) time will be required to withdraw from the course.
If one of the above absence maximums is reached after the withdrawal period, the student will receive a failing (E) grade in the course.
Additional notes:
Each week you should be prepared to discuss in class the assigned readings and projects. You will be keeping and creating both an in-class reference notebook of your project design as well as keeping an out of the class blog of your project.
Once we have covered the more basic technical considerations of the hardware and software environment and the electronic interface, you will contract with the professor and your classmates, for a final project. You can treat me as client/curator supporting your progress to meet the deadline of the exhibition.
Design of your project will begin immediately and initial designs and organization will happen from day one with pencil sketches/3D models of your project due this coming Tuesday of week 2. I would like 4 quick rough sketches of ideas you would like to produce.
Once the project is determined the final project must demonstrate working knowledge of either the Arduino IDE and or the Max/MSP/Jitter programming environment through an original software application of your design as well as using the Arduino if necessary. You can, if you like also run the Arduino as a stand-alone device without MAX/MSP and Jitter if it makes sense to your project.
The lab will be open to students in this course after the 2nd week and during TA monitored hours.
End of semester exhibition:
Final Exhibition: Fields of Transduction
Blockchain Bio-dataveillance
Dataveillance is the practice of monitoring and collecting online data as well as metadata. The word is a portmanteau of data and surveillance. Dataveillance is concerned with the continuous monitoring of users’ communications and actions across various platforms. The blockchain is a continuously growing list of records, called blocks, which are linked and secured using cryptography. For billions of years on earth bacterial life has also been gathering data and information, about its own environment and co-evolving as a unified cognizant eco-system of DNA based memories. All these biological worlds have given rise to us, and we to our machines in a moment some would now, call post-human.
Blockchain Bio-dataveillance asks how do the gathering, analysis, and presentation of data, information and art impact who and how we are seen? Which machines and biological systems are collecting our data and how? How do data filters in visual, spoken, written and biological languages impact how we are seen and understood as artists, researchers or beings? In the times of commercial collection of our DNA via corporations like 23 & Me and Facebook artificial intelligence and machine learning the question is who owns and who controls your data, and what might it mean to your future? Since there is too much data, for humans to analyze, most of your data is now analyzed by machines. Is it acceptable that your data is creating a data dossier on you, that may control your access to international travel or healthcare? Is it OK to have an algorithm to determine who and how we are perceived?
Works from Blockchain Bio-dataveillance will imagine machine and human intelligence unifying through contemporary art expression in an understanding of the multiplicities of cognition of human, machine, and non – human other.
Art & Tech show and Art open house date is: TBA
Opening Date: TBA
We will set up on TBA
9 am – 11 am – All physical artwork dropped off
11 am – 12:30 pm – jurying
12:30 – 1:30 – show layout
1:30 – 5 pm – Show set up in Collaboratory, Corridor, room 156 and room 160
pm. Invite your friends/family!
For more information: http://www.artandtech.osu.edu/showarchive.html
For the final exhibition of your work, the work must be professionally presented – framed, performed and/or put on a pedestal. No exceptions.
For any other installation needs, please check with the professor at least two weeks before the end of the semester exhibition.
You will be responsible for bringing what you will need for the installation of your work including extension cords, gaffers tape, and special hardware. There are some pedestals available but you should think about this in advance.
Student Help Desk:
If you have any general or specific questions about the policies of the Dept. of Art, please email art_advisor@osu.edu and your question will be answered.
Academic Misconduct:
It is the responsibility of the Committee on Academic Misconduct to investigate or establish procedures for the investigation of all reported cases of student academic misconduct. The term academic misconduct includes all forms of student academic misconduct wherever committed; illustrated by, but not limited to, cases of plagiarism and dishonest practices in connection with examinations. Instructors shall report all instances of alleged academic misconduct to the committee (Faculty Rule 3335-5-487). For additional information, see the Code of Student Conduct (studentaffairs.osu.edu/info_for_students/csc.asp).
Disability policy:
Students with disabilities that have been certified by the Office of Disability Services will be appropriately accommodated and should inform the instructor as soon as possible of their needs. The Office of Disability Services is located in 150 Pomerene Hall, 1760 Neil Avenue; telephone 292-3307, TDD 292-0901; ods.ohio-state.edu.
Our learning community
The success of our learning community depends on everyone’s success! Please talk with me about your individual learning needs because you have a right to have those met. It is best to let me know as soon as possible if you have particular needs, but please tell me at any time if adjustments need to be made (even if you discover it later in the semester)
We will often create space for people to indicate what names and what pronouns they would like others in the learning community to use when referring to them (if you would like to inform me privately, you may do that as well)
We will hold one another in full dignity and respect in this class. We will uphold one another’s safety, belonging, choice, sense of being enough, and wholeness. We are here to amplify the vibrancy of Life and support one another’s learning and growth
Our Learning Community (LC) is a learning organism, an interrelated system of interaction and exchange, it will flourish to the degree to which we maximize access to information and expression in the classroom
“Professional courtesy and sensitivity are especially important with respect to individuals and topics dealing with differences of race, culture, religion, politics, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and nationalities. Class rosters are provided to the instructor and may include the student’s legal name unless changed via the University Name Change policy. I will gladly honor your request to address you by another name or gender pronoun. Please advise me of this early in the semester so that I may make appropriate changes to my records.”
Escort service
For evening safety, please call the OSU Escort Service at (614) 292-3322.