New forms of public space, social interaction and cultural expression have emerged with the proliferation of mobile phones, portable computers, GPS, Wi-Fi, RF, Bluetooth and related wireless technologies.  These technologies have also been exploited to support new methods of mapping, data gathering, data-mining, and surveillance.  For better or worse, we are perhaps inextricably immersed in these invisible networks that increasingly envelop us wherever we go.

Manuel Castells has analyzed the inter-relationship of physical and virtual networks and their cultural effects and termed this complex inter-relationship the “space of flows”.  In this conception transportation, communication, and information networks commingle to form a system of physical, discursive and informational flows through which culture is manifest, understood and interpreted.  Artists and designers, as active agents in shaping and interpreting culture, can harness the power of wireless technologies and geo-spatial data systems (satellite, cellular, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, RF, radio, GPS, sonar, radar, GIS) to explore new ways to design, access, interpret, represent and critique this space of flows and its impact in shaping the landscapes of our everyday lives.

Blending conceptual and theoretical approaches from a variety of disciplines including digital media (locative arts), environmental and land art, architecture, urban studies, human geography, sculpture and performance, this interdisciplinary studio will explore new possibilities for using wireless technology to create large-scale, outdoor responsive environments that engage with and critique this space of flows.

Participation

Attendance at every class is expected. Arrive prepared to present and discuss the topics at hand as well as participate fully in group exercises and tutorials. Participation is essential in critiquing and discussing the work of your peers.

Attendance

In addition to course labs and lectures, additional class time will be used as work hours for assignments. Attendance will be taken every class period. In accordance with RISD policies, students may be dropped from the class in the case of unexcused absence for the following two reasons: (1) if they miss the first meeting of class; (2) if they are absent from two or more class meetings at any time during the term.

Failure to attend all midterm or final critiques will result in failure of the course.

Please contact me in advance if you are unable to attend a class for any reason. I will frequently make announcements, distribute electronic readings and post syllabus updates via email. I will use risd.edu accounts for these communications - it is expected that you check your risd email regularly.

Assignments

Deliverables for this course include completion of weekly assignments (as applicable), the presentation of evolving and final work at both midterm and final critiques, a statement of interest and production plan for the final project, and documentation of your work throughout the semester including the final project.

Evaluation

10% Weekly assignments (Assignment #1, Due October 3 and Assignment #2 Due October 17)

20% Statement of Interest Toward Final Project (Due October 31)
Should include a thoroughly edited one-page single-spaced statement of interest, and additional documentation of site(s) to be addressed (real / virtual). A production timeline and working bibliography of related projects (historical and contemporary) and scholarly references to be consulted.

40% Work presented for critique (20%: Review of weekly assignments Hertzian Space and Space-Time Compositions, and 20%: Final Critique December 5 and12)

20% Documentation of process and final project (Evaluated at midterm: final project proposals; and end of semester: December 5 & 12) Documentation should include images, media files, etc., plus a brief statement about the work and evidence of it's evolution throughout the semester. A blog is one of the best ways to compile and document your process. Blogs may be set up from our class blog page at: http://dm.risd.edu/weblog/dataland - off campus access only (on-campus access info to be posted soon).


10% Attendance / Participation (please see Participation above)

SCHEDULE

[9.19] WEEK ONE

[9.26] WEEK TWO

[9.27] optional lecture

[10.3] WEEK THREE

[10.10] WEEK FOUR

[10.11] optional lecture

[10.17] WEEK FIVE

[10.19] optional lecture and exhibition opening

[10.24] WEEK SIX

[10.25] optional lecture

[10.31] WEEK SEVEN

[11.7] WEEK EIGHT

[11.08] optional lecture

[11.14] WEEK NINE

In-class work session

Guest: Jono Spiro, representing Brown Computer Science collaboration with Teri (3:30 - 5:30 p.m.)

[11.21] WEEK TEN

In-class work session with guest expert

(Teri will be out of town presenting new work in Berlin)

[11.28] WEEK ELEVEN

[11.29] optional lecture

[12.5] WEEK TWELVE

[12.06] optional lecture

[12.12] STUDIO REVIEW WEEK