Monday and Wednesday 12:00-2:50
Professor: Colin Ives
email: ives@darkwing.uoregon.edu
Office Hours: Tuesday 1:00-2:00 PM or by appointment

“We experience the world through the senses and the act of seeing is one of giving meaning, taking stock of our environment to counterbalance chaos. Technologies that help us to see shape the way we see, and, in the end, determine how we see.”

George Legrady, Ê Image, Language, and Belief in Synthesis

The speed of change and innovation in technology can be seen as a primary aspect of contemporary culture. There are very few areas of our public and private lives that have not been affected in some way. Technology is not culturally neutral, but rather needs to be understood in the context of the dynamic cultural exchange that lead to its development and its subsequent —sometimes unexpected— cultural manifestations. Artist have had an effect on this interplay of culture, both in addressing the changes our culture is going through and by pushing the boundaries of how existing and developing technologies are used.
Using microprocessors and a variety of sensors the class will, for much of the term, focus on handheld devices. Not since the Stone Age has our most powerful and useful tools fit so nicely in the palm of our hands. We will rigorously investigate, decipher and engage the many aspects of the handheld from viewers, players, remotes, personal assistants, locational devices and so forth. We will examine and address the current constellation of cultural practices that cross electronics with design, computing, open source (hardware & software), gadgetry, DIY, light industry, prototyping, and experimental play.

We will use the internet as a means of sharing work in progress. Students are required to keep an online studio or Blog. The online studio should be specific to this class alone. The site should include related research and links to related sites and should help visitors (primarily members of our class) appreciate the themes and issues that are important to understanding your art work. Near the end of the semester, I will be relying on your online studios to focus our discussions in individual conferences.
Participation also affects your grade. This means active engagement in group projects and discussions, working to make critiques a helpful give and take of ideas on each others projects, and of course, good attendance; If you are not in class you can not participate. Unexcused absences will count against your grade. If you have a necessary absence it is your responsibility contact me and complete the missed work as soon as possible.