Professional Documents
Culture Documents
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
An introduction to the digital world within a fine art context. Digital photography, experimental video, sound, photo book
design, and blogging are covered as students use the Internet as a venue for projects. The evolution of technology, new
media theory, contemporary art discourse, and visual culture are examined through projects, readings, lectures,
demonstrations, discussions, critiques, and visiting artist presentations. Mac-based. (6 units). PREREQUISITE: ART
100 or ART 110. Limit 14.
The main purpose of the Makerspace is for Lawrence students to gain hands-on learning experiences and have the
opportunity to develop a concept from an idea to a physical object.
INFO/RESOURCES:
1. Hardware/Software Educational Discounts: (10% off Macs and 50% or more off software)
http://www.lawrence.edu/dept/ITS/services/purchases.shtml
2. Supplies Locally: MURRAY PHOTO for cameras (10 College, 920-733-5885, murrayphoto.com),
COMPUTER WORLD for Mac accessories (3015 W. Wisconsin, 920-733-9547), TARGET for cameras,
external drives, media (target.com, 4301 W. Wisconsin, 920-731-5566)
3. Supplies Online: Adorama for equipment & supplies (800-223-2500 adorama.com), eBay for used
equipment, props (ebay.com), APPLE STORE for Mac accessories, drives (800-692-7753 apple.com), B&H
PHOTO VIDEO for cameras, etc. (800-221-5743 bhphotovideo.com).
4. Services Online: FLICKR.COM for sharing images, YOUTUBE.COM for sharing videos,
GOTPRINT.COM for post cards, BLURB.COM for print on demand pro books,
SOUNDCLOUD.COM for sharing sound, and ZAZZLE.COM for cards, posters, and merch.
5. Art Info Online: newsgrist.typepad.com, artfagcity.com, artnet.com, wired.com
6. Technique/Technical Info Online: luminous-landscape.com, kenstone.net, mediacollege.com
7. Mudd Library Periodicals (Level A): Art Calendar, Art in America, Art Forum, Art News, Bust, Flash Art.
8. Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Students who have a disability
covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act are entitled to academic accommodations. Students must
initiate all requests. Please contact the Office of Student Academic Services (ext. 6530) for info and advice.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
The Americans by Robert Frank (1958)
Looking In: Robert Franks The Americans by Sarah Greenough (2009)
The Medium is the Massage by Marshall McLuhan (current and vintage volumes)
The Films of Kenneth Anger by Kenneth Anger (DVD set 2007)
Brakhage by Brakhage Volume 1 and 2 (DVD, 2004, 2010)
William Wegman Video Works 1970-1999 by William Wegman (DVD, 2006)
I
can't
understand
why
people
are
frightened
of
new
ideas.
I'm
frightened
of
the
old
ones.
John
Cage
1988
ART 240 NEW MEDIA IN ART
COURSE CALENDAR + PROJECTS
Look out honey, cause Im using technology.
Aint got time to make no apology
--Iggy Pop, Search and Destroy, 1973
WEEK 1:
SEPT 11 (M) INTRODUCTION OF COURSE: Surveys, prerequisite check, introductions of students and
instructor(s), syllabus (note key dates), required book, and external drive. The concepts presented in this
class will seem simple to some of you, and difficult to grasp to others. We will work together as a group to
help each other understand the ideas presented here as best we can.
COLLABORATING WITH DIGITAL INVENTORS PPTX: Think about your collaboration
with digital innovators: DOUG ENGELBART: Stanford Research Institutes 12/9/1968 Mother of all
Demos showing networked computers as a way to improve the effectiveness of intellectual workers to
share knowledge and improve the lot of the human race. The mouse, video-conferencing, hyperlinks,
and digital text editing shown for the first time. STEVE WOZNIAK: Inventor of the Apple computer.
TED NELSON: Demonstration of Xanadu space. TIM BERNERS-LEE: Inventor of the world wide
web. DISCUSSION: Smartphone as new TV, text as new voice, pictures as new text, etc. Search and
Destroy Songfacts http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=19121
MAC OVERVIEW: Review iMac and dock (including download folder and Launchpad), open
applications to be used in class (PhotoShop, Premiere, Garageband), locate USB ports, SD card slot.
BLOGGER WORKSHOP: Set-up your own artist blog by the end of class today! Work to reflect your
artist identity while establishing a place for exchanging reflections on projects and readings. Strive to write
analytically while expressing your individual voice. Your audience is informed and interested students and
art world professionals. Illustrate each and every post with captioned images and (if
appropriate) embedded videos. Hyperlink to relevant sites while titling each post with an
appropriate and catchy headline. Check your spelling and grammar carefully! Always post comments on 2
classmate blogs for each assigned project.
TO DO IN CLASS TODAY:
1. Design a blog using Blogger (you will need a gmail address). Name it after yourself using your
real/established stage name or variant if possible. NOTE: Some students continue blog after LU and/or
use as part of their online portfolio). Select/design a template, title, page header, profile, color palette,
layout, gadgets. Set correct time stamp/time zone. Avoid cutesy or cluttered backgrounds and difficult
to read colors and fonts. Opt for a simple, legible design. The background should be neutral (e.g.
white, black or gray) so it doesnt distract from your content unless campy or cutesy serves your
ideas.
2. Email shimonj@lawrence.edu with your blog URL so it can be added to the
digitalprocesses.blogspot.com blog list. Subscribe to the class and classmate blogs using the blogs
gadget.
BY NEXT CLASS MEETING: Get external drive and Marshall McLuhan book. Read p.
1-51.
WEEK 2
SEPT 18 (M) PROJECT No. 1 BLOG POST DUE: Present your blog design and blog post to the class.
READ FOR NEXT CLASS: McLuhan p. 52-61 (space), p. 63-75 (time) Direct Cinema handout.
SEPT 20 (W) SONY NEX-5 AND CANON SLDR DIGITAL CAMERAS: Meet with Kevin Summers at Hurvis
060 desk to see cameras and review equipment check out procedures.
CAMERA DEMO/WORKSHOP: Review camera still and video functions (focusing, exposure,
ASA/ISO, flash, JPG size, color balance). Discuss using a tripod to stabilize and eliminate camera shake and
refine compositions. Pay attention to light and looking carefully through the viewfinder to make sure there
are no items/objects in the frame that detract from your content. Consider your camera work/camera angles
and how the camera position influences meaning. Watch out for wandering focus! Discuss importing footage
from SD card. Help; http://www.mediacollege.com/video/camera
PREMIERE VIDEO DEMO/WORKSHOP: Review history/progression of film to video editing.
Demonstrate capabilities including adding titles and credits and exporting .mov files for uploading and saving
to your external drive.
EXPERIMENTAL FILM/VIDEO SCREENING: Experimental filmmaking styles are generally quite
different from and opposed to the practices of mainstream commercial and documentary filmmaking. An
experimental film is often characterized by the absence of linear narrative, the use of various abstracting techniques --
out-of-focus, painting or scratching on film, rapid editing -- the use of asynchronous sound or even the absence of any
sound track. Most are self-financed made by the artist working alone or with a minimal crew and budget.
David Lynchs Lumiere anniversary 35 mm film (1 minute) (early 35 mm film technology)
Nam June Paiks Zen for Film (7:59, 1962-64, excerpt) (materiality of film)
Kenneth Angers Kustom Kar Kommandos (1965, 3:00) (16mm film, predecessor to music video)
Andy Warhols Edie Sedgwick Screen Test (1965, 3:91)(1-16mm roll, slowed 25%)
Stan Brakhages Mothlight (1963, 3:00) (blank stock collage)
Chris Burdens TV Commercials (1973-77, 4:00, UBUweb) (TV critique on TV)
William Wegmans early Sony AV 3600 1/2 open reel to reel videos I Got (2:45), TV Plunger
(:30), Deodorant (:49) (DVD, 1972-3) (early black-and-white video)
Piplotti Rists Im Not the Girl Who Misses Much (5:29, 1986)(super8 with linear video editing)
Ryan Trecrtins Tommy Chat Emailed Me (excerpt, 2006) (early digital video editing)
DISCUSS READINGS: McLuhan p. 52-61 (space), p. 63-75 (time) Direct Cinema handout.
SEPT 25 (M) DISCUSS READINGS: McLuhan p. 52-61 (space), p. 63-75 (time) Direct Cinema handout.
UPLOADING TO YOUTUBE DEMO/WORKSHOP: Create a YouTube channel with self-portrait
and artist profile. Upload your video, embed video in blog post. Premiere troubleshooting with class.
SEPT 27 (W) PROJECT No. 2 EXPERIMENTAL VIDEO DUE: Present from instructor podium. Complete blog
post before class and leave comments on two students posts before midnight.
SEPT 29 (F) REFLECTION BLOGPOST No. 1 -ATTENDANCE REQUIRED; Artist Talk by Patrick
Hammie, Friday, Sept. 29 at 6 PM (Wriston auditorium) Jot down notes to remind you of points you found
compelling. Attend the reception and engage artist in conversation. Your 250 word post must analyze how the
artist presents their ideas and how their work relates to issues in this course. Illustrate using online
resources, and include a quote from McLuhan. DUE OCT 2 (M)!
WEEK 4:
OCT 2 (M) ROBERT FRANK IN CULTURAL CONTEXT PPTX: Discuss the ways Frank critiqued mid-century
America with his The Americans body of work.
REFLECTION BLOG POST No. 1 Due: Post two comments on classmates posts before midnight.
OCT 4 (W) DISCUSS READINGS: McLuhan p. 76-91 (progress), p. 92-99 (amateur, avant-garde), p.100-108 (youth-
education), Robert Frank: Transforming Destiny into Awareness: The Americans hand out.
AMATEUR & THE AVANT-GARDE PPTX: History of the Avant-Garde as related to the McLuhan
reading.
PHOTOSHOP & FLICKR DEMO/WORKSHOP: Review importing images, archiving to your external
drive, manipulating contrast, hue, saturation, curves in PhotoShop. Review use of Flickr including creating an artist
profile and set. Bring camera, images, external drive and be ready to work the entire class!
WEEK 5:
OCT 9 (M) PROJECT No. 3 PHOTOS DUE: Present your Flickr site and set of 20 titled images.
ARTISTS & BOOKS PPTX: Discuss the evolution of artist books and zines.
Blurb DEMO/WORKSHOP: Import your Flickr set to Blurb and begin designing a photo book.
OCT 11 (W) PROJECT No. 4 PHOTO BOOK LAYOUT DUE: Present your Blurb layout. Following critique,
make adjustments and immediately order one copy. Dont procrastinate!
PREPARE FILES IN PHOTOSHOP FOR INKJET PRINTING:
Discuss issues of resolution and adjusting curves for outputting photo quality inkjet prints.
EPSON INKJET PRINTING DEMO/WORKSHOP @ WRISTON:
Bring full resolution images on your external drive then edit and output inkjet prints with guidance of
instructor.
OCT 16 (M) SOUND PRODUCTION PPTX: Review evolution of sound editing, the new sound of electrification, and
sound as art.
GARAGEBAND DEMO/WORKSHOP: Bring your headphones.
INKJET PRINTING TROUBLESHOOTING
OCT 18 (W) PROJECT No. 5 WORK PRINTS DUE Present 5 8x10 work prints. As a group select strongest
pair produced by each student to print 11x14.
DISCUSS READING: McLuhan p. 108-119 (sound).
Kraftwerk: Pop Art BBC 2015, 55 minutes
Documentary telling the story of how a group of reclusive Rhineland experimentalists called Kraftwerk
became one of the most influential pop groups of all time. It is a celebration of the band featuring exclusive
live tracks filmed at their Tate Modern shows in London in February 2013, interwoven with expert analysis,
archive footage of the group going back to 1970, newsreel of the era and newly shot cinematic evocations of
their obsessions. With contributions from techno pioneer Derrick May, Can founder Holger Czukay, DJ and
remixer Francois Kevorkian, graphic design guru Neville Brody, writer Paul Morley, band photographer Peter
Boettcher, Tate Modern curator Caroline Wood and others
OCT 23 (M) PROJECT No. 6 SOUNDSCAPE DUE: Introduce piece and play from instructor station.
FOR NEXT TIME: Familiarize yourself with report subjects.
What I'm proposing, to myself and other people, is what I often call the tourist attitude - that you act as though
you've never been there before. So that you're not supposed to know anything about it. If you really get down to
brass tacks, we have never been anywhere before.
WEEK 8:
OCT 30 (M) THE FOUND AESTHETIC IN ART PPTX: From Marcel Duchamps The Fountain to Wayne Whites
words painted over thrift store landscapes; artists use existing objects, images, sound, and video to make new
statements through alterations, repetition, obliterations, juxtapositions, looping, slowing down, speeding up.
DISCUSS AUTHORSHIP/APPROPRIATION: McLuhan p. 120-131 (authorship), p. 132-137 (art).
EXTRACTING VIDEO FOOTAGE/SOUND FROM THE INTERNET USING
DOWNLOADER DEMO/WORKSHOP: Discuss availability of footage/sound on YouTube, etc. Sources
include public domain archives such as Prelinger Archives or YouTube.
PROJECT No. 8 PROJECT PROPOSAL DUE: Present PPTX, hand in typed proposal.
NOV 1 (W) PREPARE & INSTALL EXHIBITION: A group effort! Every student must contribute to putting on the
show! Bring 11x14s to be framed and your photo book, help write curatorial statement, make exhibition labels,
create Facebook event, hang framed works/labels/statement/vinyl lettering, adjust lighting, and make sure space
is as spotless as possible, etc.!
READING FOR NEXT CLASS: McLuhan p. 138-157 (flowing, unified, fused) and THE GLOBAL
VILLAGE.
NOV 1 (W) REFLECTION POST No. 2 -ATTENDANCE REQUIRED; Artist Talk by Jeff Pearcy and
4:45 PM Meredith Watts of For Good Photography, Inc. in Our TRANS Family exhibition (gallery walk). Jot down
notes to remind you of points you found compelling. Attend the reception and engage the artists in
conversation. Your 250 word post must analyze how the artist presents issues and how their work relates to
issues in this course. Illustrate using online resources, and include a quote from McLuhan.
DUE NOV 8 (W)!
NOV 3 (F) SOMETHING IS HAPPENING EXHIBITION OPENING @ MUDD GALLERY: Bring your friends!
5:30-6:30 Bring a snack or beverage to share! Arrive a few minutes early to help set-up the food! Dress sharp!
WEEK 9:
NOV 6 (M) PROJECT No. 7 RESEARCH REPORT DUE: Present your illustrated PPTX and have blog posted. Post
two comments on classmates posts before midnight.
NOV 8 (W) DISCUSS READING: McLuhan p. 138-157 (flowing, unified, fused) and THE GLOBAL VILLAGE.
DE-INSTALL MUDD GALLERY EXHIBITION
Something is Happening exhibition blog post due.
REFLECTION BLOG POST No. 2 Due: Post two comments on classmates posts before midnight.
WEEK 10:
NOV 13 (M) PROJECT No. 8 WORK-IN-PROGRESS PRESENTATIONS: Update the class and get feedback.
WORK SESSION: Make sure to have raw material to work on in class.
NOV 15 (W) CREATE FINAL CRITIQUE PROGRAM: Have your project title and one sentence synopsis ready!
WORK SESSION & TROUBLE SHOOTING: Make sure your technology is working and you have
everything you need to finish and present your project!
NOV 19 PROJECT No. 8 NEW MEDIA PROJECT FINAL @ WARCH CINEMA or TBD:
(SUNDAY) Present your final, polished project to the group! Have project posted to your blog with a 150 word reflection.
3:00-5:30
Return all LU digital equipment (cameras, recorders, cables, chargers) to avoid charges. Check
and re-check your room for small items!
Remove art and devices from Hurvis and Wriston Digital Labs to avoid loss or damage!
Back up any files left on lab computers to avoid loss when equipment is reimaged over break!
JS 9.2.17