Generative Art - CP 470D
Professor: Robert Spahr
Contact: rspahr@siu.edu
Office: Northwest Annex, B213
T 09:00am-01:00pm
W 12:00pm-02:00pm
& by appointment
Time & Location:
W @ 09:00am-11:50am - Distance Learning beginning 03/25
Course Syllabus Location: http://www.robertspahr.com/gen/
Course Listings:
Interdisciplinary Topics: Generative Art - CP 470D 003 CRN: 23919
(co-convened with Generative Art - MCMA 543)
Required Text:
* All readings will be distributed in class or available online. *
Description:
This co-convened course exposes both undergraduate and graduate students to the possibilities of interactivity within the media arts by exploring the history, theory and practice of generative art.
Students will create both analog and digital generative art using interactivity, chance operations, algorithms and automation. We will draw on any number of disciplines and media for material, such as the visual arts, literature, theater, poetry, music, dance, as well as video/film and the Internet. A goal of this course will be to move beyond seeing the computer as a tool of production, but rather the beginning of a complete networked system.
Taught as a studio course combined with critical readings and discussion, students will be expected to create a number of projects throughout the semester. Based on student interest and skills, software used in this class might include HTML/Javascript/PHP, Bash Scripts/FOSS Utilities and Processing. The student's level of comprehension of this material will be assessed through their contributions to class discussions and critiques, journal entries and project assignments.
Syllabus:
# Syllabus is subject to change with notice.
# Students should bring a wifi enabled laptop (running Windows, MacOS or Linux) and their journal to every class.
Jan 15
Introductions, What is Generative Art?, Examples of Generative Art
Topics for discussion:
Autonomous Systems / Machine Aesthetics
Chance & Randomness
Artistic Intent, & Illusion of Control
Code as Art
Assign: Exercise 1
Based on student interests, class instruction will be scheduled for the following software:
HTML/Javascript/PHP
Bash Scripts/FOSS Utilities
Processing
Jan 22
Computational Art / Code as Art
Readings:
George Brecht: Chance-Imagery
Steve Reich: Music as a Gradual Process
Tzara: How to Make a Dadaist Poem
Exercise 1 is due.
HTML Resources
Basic HTML
Image Formats, CSS Style Basics
Typography, Images, Multimedia
Advanced layout Using CSS
Javascript Examples:
Random Number - Image Position
Random Number - Image Collage
Download: javascript-examples-random.zip
Networked Art Example: Liminal
Assign: Exercise 2
Jan 29
Systems Art
Readings (two formats):
Jack Burnham: Systems Esthetics, 1968
Jack Burnham: Systems Esthetics, 1968 - no images
Exercise 2 is due.
Assign: Exercise 3
Feb 05
Javascript Example: Word Jumble
Readings:
Lewitt: Sentences on Conceptual Art
Wikipedia: Cut-up technique
Burroughs: The Cut Up Method
Exercise 3 is due.
Assign: Exercise 3a, a new iteration of your previous Text Jumble Exercise.
Assign: Journal entry: Research at least 3 artists manifestos. In your journal write your own artist manifesto. Be prepared to share this in class.
Feb 12
Fluxus Art, Conceptual Art, Process Art
Journal entry: Artist Manifesto is due.
Exercise 3a is due. A new interation of your previous Text Jumble Exercise
Assign: Exercise 4
Resource: theFluxusPerformanceWorkbook
Feb 19
Genetic Algorithms and Cellular Automata
Lecture: Genetic Algorithms - Cellular Automata
Proposal for Project #1 is due.
(email me the proposal before the beginning of class.)
Exercise 4 is due.
Assign: Exercise 5
Feb 26
Studio
Exercise 5 is due.
Mar 04
Studio
Proposal for Project #2 is due.
(email me the proposal before the beginning of class.)
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Mar 07-22
Extended Spring Break due to the CoronaVirus
Courses will now move to an online/distance education mode.
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Mar 25
Welcome to Generative Art Online!
Register an account on the forums.
Need help creating an account on the forum?
Howto register an account on the forums (PDF document)
Project #1 is due.
Forum:
Upload your project or documentation to the Week 03/25 forum.
Self-Reflection: Post a response on the forum regarding your own work. Consider your creative process. How does this project extend or break with your previous work? What is most successful? What is least successful? Why? Did you address automation, random events, or user interactivity? Did you make any significant discoveries as you created this work? If so, what were they?
Group Critique: Post a response to at least four of your fellow students work. In your response, describe the work as if you were writing an email to someone who can not see the work themselves. Look for similarities or contrasts with other projects within the class. Do you see connections and developments with the students previous work? If so, how? Begin to analyse and interpret the work. Things to consider: What does the work seem to be about? How is the artist using generative processes? Automated? Random? User interaction? How much control does this artist seem to give up? What is most successful about this work? What is least successful? Why? Spend time looking through the forums, and respond to at least four other threads of conversation. Forum posts are due by midnight CST, 03/31/20
Apr 01
Studio
Apr 08
Studio
Apr 15
Studio
Apr 22
Studio
Apr 29
Project #2 is due.
Self-Reflection: Post a response on the forum regarding your own work. Consider your creative process. How does this project extend or break with your previous work? What is most successful? What is least successful? Why? Did you address automation, random events, or user interactivity? Did you make any significant discoveries as you created this work? If so, what were they?
Group Critique: Post a response to at least four of your fellow students work. In your response, describe the work as if you were writing an email to someone who can not see the work themselves. Look for similarities or contrasts with other projects within the class. Do you see connections and developments with the students previous work? If so, how? Begin to analyse and interpret the work. Things to consider: What does the work seem to be about? How is the artist using generative processes? Automated? Random? User interaction? How much control does this artist seem to give up? What is most successful about this work? What is least successful? Why? Spend time looking through the forums, and respond to at least four other threads of conversation. Forum posts are due by midnight CST, 05/03/20
Apr 30th
Online Exhibit
Online generative art exhibit:
http://www.robertspahr.com/genart/
May 04, Monday - 02:45pm-04:45pm - University Scheduled Final
COMPREHENSIVE FINAL CRITIQUE
We will have a Group Zoom Meeting.
Check your email for an invite.
Projects
Two Individual Projects (midterm and final)
Each student will develop and present two original generative art projects (either analog or digital) connected directly to their creative research interests. The ideas explored in weekly studio exercises and discussions might be the catalyst of the projects. Within the first three weeks of the course, students should schedule an individual appointment during the instructors office hours to further discuss their creative interests. One project will be due at midterm, the second will be due as a final project. General details regarding these two projects will be discussed in class.
Group Exhibit/Project
Undergraduate and Graduate Students:
All students in this co-convened course will work with the instructor to develop and curate an online exhibit of work created this semester.
Online generative art exhibit:
http://www.robertspahr.com/genart/
Graduate Students:
The graduate students in this co-convened course will create an iteration of their final project, producing Version A and a Version B. Project details will be discussed and developed in consultation with the instructor.
### Projects can be documented on any suitable medium.
Forums
Please register an account on the forum. Format your username to be your first name and last name initial. For example my username would be RobS.
Need help creating an account on the forum?
Howto register an account on the forums (PDF document)
The weekly forum is where students will upload projects as images and text, or links to Youtube and Vimeo video files when a project is due. Check back each week, as some students might upload works-in-progress. Students will provide written critique and discussion with their peers regarding the work, and the creative process that resulted. This will be specified in more detail on the syllabus above.
Phone Schedule
09:20 CodyT
09:40 AndyB
10:00 NathanB
10:20 JoshN
10:40 EmmaP
11:00 JohnV
11:20 ChanceC
11:40 CalebS
Evaluation:
The work in this course requires motivation, exploration, risk-taking, and most importantly, an openness to new ideas. The grading policy of this class is meant to encourage you to explore new ideas and take chances. Do not think in terms of "What must I do to receive an A grade", but think in terms of what you would like to learn.
Journal: Each student will respond to the class readings, weekly studio exercises, and their own generative art projects, as well as lectures/discussions in class. At least one entry per week. Students should also document their creative process, and artistic development within the journal. Think of the journal as a resource, to contain your present ideas and hints of future directions to explore. (8.5"x11" minimum size)
Attendance: Attendance to all classes is expected. You are allowed up to TWO unexcused absences. Unexcused absence beyond this threshold may result in failing this course. Students are expected to be at all scheduled 'studio days' working on their projects.
Assignments: All assignments and projects are due at the beginning of class. Late projects will not be accepted.
Critique: Students will work closely with each other to develop their projects. This includes learning to speak clearly expressing oneself when discussing their own and others artwork.
Quizzes: There may be occasional unannounced quizzes regarding recent lectures and/or readings.
Grading:
A 95-100, A- 92-95Outstanding work.
Solution shows excellent depth of understanding and innovation. The solution has been fully developed in form and concept.
B+ 88-91, B 85-87, B- 82-84
Good work.
Solution exceeds all requirements and shows above average depth of understanding. Demonstrates more than adequate clarity of idea and execution.
C+ 78-81, C 75-77, C- 72-74
Average work.
Problem has been solved adequately, but the solution lacks depth of understanding, development and innovation.
D+ 68-71, D 65-67, D- 62-64
Poor work.
Solution is extremely weak and lacks understanding and innovation. Technical skills are weak.
F 61 or less
Unacceptable work.
Solution to the problem is unresolved and incomplete resulting in a failing grade.
Each Project will be graded on artistic, creative and intellectual merit.
Grades will be based on the following:
- 20% Originality of concept
- 20% Delivery (execution of the concept)
- 20% Documentation / Process
- 20% Craft
- 20% Critique & participation
Your final grade will be determined by the following:
- 30% Participation/Exercises
- 10% Journal
- 25% Project #1
- 25% Project #2
- 10% Group Exhibit/Project
