M W F 12:00 PM - 12:50 PM
Room 301, Harvill Building
Dr. Kelland Thomas, Instructor
Gould-Simpson 805
kelland@email.arizona.edu
Office Hours: by appointment made via email

Course Description

Computing and the Arts surveys the multiple ways that computation intersects with artistic production. The course will examine computing across artistic disciplines, including music, theater, dance, visual art, film, photography, and digital art. Although we will discuss the ways that computer software is used as a tool in traditional media (for example, using Photoshop to enhance a photograph), special emphasis will be given to artists who use computers or algorithmic processes as an integral aspect of the creative process. Some discussion will be devoted to aesthetics and technology, the mediation of art by computational processes, and the relationships between artistic production, creativity, and computation.

This course does not presume any programming experience. Some background in an artistic discipline is helpful but by no means necessary, as several assignments will involve creating art. In this course, you will have the chance to explore creativity through computational processes, and will create works of your own through homework assignments.

There will be a final group project in lieu of a final exam.

Textbooks

Casey Reas et Al., Form + Code, Princeton Architectural Press (2010) (available as an eBook through the UA Library here)

Ben Fry & Casey Reas, Getting Started with Processing (Available as an eBook here)

Additional readings and course content will be posted on the D2L course site.

Course Topics

Introduction to Computing
Algorithms and Algorithmic Art
Dadaism, Fluxus, and Conceptual Art
Cybernetics and Cybernetic Art
Collage and Musique Concréte
Programming Paradigms
Introduction to the Processing Programming Language
Control Structures
Simulation
Cellular Automata
Fractal Art
Generative Art
Digital Media, New Media Art, Net Art
Computer Graphics
Videogames as Art and Expressive Medium
Virtual Reality & Augmented Reality
Information Visualization and Interaction
Social Media and Locative Media
Creative Evolutionary Systems and Artificial Life

Assignments and Grading

• 10% - Assignment #1 - Algorithmic Art
• 15% Assignment #2 - Collage Art
• 15% Assignment #3 – Musique Concrete
• 10% Assignment #4 - Glitch Art & Databending
• 15% Assignment #5 - Art with Processing
• 10% Midterm Quiz
• 10% Final Quiz
• 15% 3 Reflection Writing Assignments (5% each)
• 20% Final Group Project

Grading Scale

Grading Scale: A = 89.5 - 100%
B = 79.5 - 89.4%
C = 69.5 - 79.4%
D = 59.5 - 69.4%
E = less than 59.5%

Late work policy

Assignments are deducted 10% per 24-hour period late. After ten days, an assigment is worth zero(0), with no exceptions.

Extra Credit

There will be an opportunity to earn extra credit in this course by participating in an experiment offered in the SISTA Human Subjects Lab. I will offer 3% for documented completion of an experiment there (Once per semester). Alternatively, a student may opt to earn up to 3% of extra credit in this course by reading and analyzing an essay or article assigned by me. I will provide more details of this option on D2L. An enrolled student may earn a maximum of 3% extra credit in this course.