This course introduces students to the theoretical discourse surrounding new media arts practice as it relates to their digital arts practice. An emphasis on exploring the question of audience will frame regular discussions and writing assignments. How do we understand and define our individual relationship to audience as a function of message, medium, site, and context? How do we position ourselves within the creative, intellectual, and professional dialogues of digital media practice? Regular discussion and writing exercises will complement group critique as students conceptualize and discuss the studio-based work they have produced in other classes. Readings in critical cultural theory, media art theory, rhetoric, semiotics/linguistics, and engineering / science will further ground this inquiry in advanced digital arts studies. As part of their on-going inquiry across the entire first semester curriculum, students will develop and refine a compendium of references that explore a series of artworks, theoretical references and other research relevant to their own art production. This may take the form of an annotated archive of related work, URLs, and bibliographic references, building an early foundation for the thesis research. The class will be comprised of a mix of group meetings for discussion and critique. Two short writing assignments and an artist statement will be due in addition to critiques at midterm and at the end of the semester (Open only to DM students).

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 workshops. Participation is essential in both critique and discussion.

Attendance

In addition to discussion and critique, additional class time will be used for writing exercises. 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 midterm or final critiques (all four days of department-wide final critique) 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 THREE questions submitted every week, related to issues raised by the readings (questions should open dialogue, not simply ask yes / no or vague questions), writing assignments #1 / #2 / Artist Statement, the presentation of substantial new work at midterm and final critiques, regular and engaged contributions to discussion, and the final submission of compendia of references, annotated links, blogs, etc.

Extra Credit: Screening: Terry Gilliam, Brazil (write a 3 page response addressing specific themes in the film relateing them to salient issues addressed in at least one of the readings).

Evaluation

5% (Due September 27) Biographical Statement

10% (October 18)
Writing Assignment #1

20% (October 25)
Midterm Critique

10% (November 29)
Writing Assignment #2

10% (Due December 6)
Artist Statement

5% (Due December 6)
Compendium of references, annotated URLs, blog, etc.

30% (December 13, 14, 15, 16)
Final Critique: All D+M

10% Attendance / Participation (see note on participation above)

SCHEDULE

[9.20] Introduction to Seminar / Tutorial 01 (individual advisement)


[9.27] Introductions / Presentations of past work
Due: Biographical Statements


[10.04] Discussion: Walter Benjamin, The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction


[10.12] Discussion: Marshall McLuhan, Understanding Media


Saturday October 8: Digital Media Open House [11:30 - 1:30 p.m.]


[10.18] Discussion: David Rokeby, Transforming Mirrors: Control and Subjectivity in Interactive Media
Due: Writing Assignment #1

[10.25] Midterm Critique


[11.01] Midterm Critique


[11.8] Discussion: Jonathan Crary, Techniques of the Observer
Christopher Robbins, Rachelle Beaudoin, Peter Segerstrom

[11.15] Discussion: N. Katherine Hayles, How We Became Post-Human
John Baca, Ebe Odonkor, Geon Kim


[11.22] Discussion: Donna Haraway, Cyborg Manifesto
Leon Belt, Elliott Brennan, Lisa Lee

[11.29] Discussion: Paul Virilio, Open Sky ; The Art of the Motor
Emily Boyd, Carmen Montoya, John Ewing
Due: Writing Assignment #2


[12.6] Discussion: Francois Lyotard, The Postmodern Condition
Due: Artist Statement
Cris Mendoza, Bo Jun, Sarah Renshaw
Due: Compendium of references, annotated URLs, blog, etc.


[December 13, 14, 15, 16] Final Critique: All D+M


This course outline may change at the discretion of the instructor.

LINKS

Elliott Brennan (http://dm.risd.edu/~ebrennan)

Carmen Montoya (http://www.lajunkielovegun.com/Portfolio/Montoya)

Christopher Robbins:

http://www.grographics.com

http://www.theysaysmall.com

http://blog.grographics.com

http://risd.grographics.com