Department of Art and Art History Pomona College
Fall Semester 2007
ART 23 Monday and Wednesday 9:00 AM – 11:50 AM
Professor: Mark Allen
Email: (obsessive usage) mark.allen@pomona.edu
AIM: (intermittent usage): mayormcmallen
Phone (infrequent usage) 18849
Room: 104 Rembrandt
Office hours 1-3pm Tuesday or by appointment
Course Overview:
Computer Programming for Artists is a hands on class teaching the basics of computer programming using the processing environment . Along the way we’ll look at how to use our sweet new skills in the creation of algorithmic, interactive, networked and electronics based artwork.
This class meets twice a week. Class time is divided into technical lectures and demonstration by your instructor, hands on labs and in class work on projects.
Bonus Feature - collaboration with Rules and Space
We will be spending four weeks collaborating with a class at the California Institute of the Arts called Rules and Space taught by Sara Roberts. The Rules and Space Class uses the physical world as a laboratory to develop an awareness of the social dynamics created by simple rules and suggestions. The class offers readings and exercises aimed at developing spatial awareness, connecting narrative and space, working with network/group behavior, testing and refining rules, inviting participation and making it meaningful.
This year Sara and I are particularly interested in exploring the relationship between the structures of games and the structures used in computer programming. So, given a set of terms, a vocabulary of actions like: infection, searching/following, flocking, looping, counting, triggering, grouping, iterating, randomizing, etc, we will be studying the way these actions function in computer programs, performative works of art, and games (both digital and physical). Working with this vocabulary of actions the class will invent new games, programs, and performative pieces. We will perform/play them together, adjust the rules, and then play them some more.
Sara be teaching four sessions with our class at Pomona, playing games, doing exercises, and performing some Fluxus pieces. The two classes will getting together on Sunday Dec 2nd at Machine Project in Los Angeles to present, participate in, and critique each others projects. Participation in this field trip is mandatory, please inform me immediately if you forsee any scheduling conflicts with this.
Course Objectives:
Develop a strong foundation in the basics of object oriented computer programming.
Gain a familiarity with methods for using computer programming in the creation of artwork
Develop an aesthetic, critical, and cultural framework for assessing computer based art practices
Course Requirements:
Completion of all assignments on time
Visiting and discussion of linked web sites
Active Participation in online and classroom discussions and critiques
Textbook
Processing: A Programming Handbook for Visual Designers and Artists - Casey Reas and Ben Fry. Available at the Huntley Bookstore.
Miscellaneous details:
Attendance: Consistent attendance is absolutely crucial in order to do well in this course. Promptness is also extremely important; all instruction is given at the beginning of the class period and will not be repeated for late students. THREE or more absences will result in the final grade being lowered one full letter grade. THREE or more lates equals an absence.
Incompletes: No incompletes without confirmed extraordinary circumstances. Please consult the registrar for the definition of extraordinary circumstances.
Back up your data!
Hard drive crashes and data loss are a well known phenomenon. No computer disasters will be accepted for failing to submit work on time.
Website:
darpa.pomona.edu
Jason Brown and I have built a website for the digital art labs. Go here for contact info, tutorials, lab and equipment info and other lab related information.
Grading:
100 points total
6 projects worth 10 points each = 60 points
20 homework assignments or quizzes worth 1 point each = 20 points
class participation = 20 points
Projects are graded on a scale of 1 to 10 on the following criteria:
3/10 points Technical wonderment: demonstrates understanding and usage of course material
2/10 points Documentation: code is well commented and documented
3/10 points Aesthetic and conceptual value: project is interesting to look at and think about
2/10 points Ambition: project attempts to achieve great things
Hand in projects as a zipped file of the sketch folder (we’ll copy them onto a flash drive during class). Name your file with your name and the project number following this format 1_markallen.zip. Projects must run on my computer for credit. In addition, please hand in a print out of source code. Projects may be redone without penalty if handed in with the original work within 2 weeks from the original due date. Homework will not be accepted late. Quizzes cannot be taken at a later date.
Grading:
90-100 A
80-90 B
70-80 C
60-70 D
0-60 F
Weekly outline
details may shift in shipping. The website will be updated accordingly
Class 1 - Wednesday September 5 - introduction, syllabus overview, processing overview
Class 2 - Monday September 10 - variables, conditionals, drawing 1
Class 3 - Wednesday September 12 - looping, drawing 2
Class 4 - Monday September 17 draw and setup functions. drawing project assigned
Class 5 - Wednesday September 19 work on drawing project
Class 6 - Monday September 24 drawing project due. drawing project critique. objects
Class 7 - Wednesday September 26 arrays
Class 8 - Monday October 1. interactivity. drawing program assigned
Class 9 - Wednesday October 3 review and catch up. work on drawing program
Class 10 - Monday October 8 animation and timing drawing program due. critique
Class 11 - Wednesday October 10 sound and typography. sound and type project assigned
Class 12 - Monday October 15 work on sound and type project
Class 13 - Wednesday October 17 - Douglas Repetto visit. sound and type critique
Fall Break - October 22
Class 14 - Wednesday October 24 rules and space with Sara Roberts
Class 15 - Monday October 29 game algorithms
Class 16 - Wednesday October 31 rules and space with Sara Roberts
Class 17 - Monday November 5 game algorithms. video game assigned
Class 18 - Wednesday November 7 rules and space with Sara Roberts
Class 19 - Monday November 12 game algorithms. video game play testing
Class 20 - Wednesday November 14 rules and space with Sara Roberts
Class 21 - Monday November 19 video game due. video game play testing
Class 22 - Wednesday November 21. video game revision due.
Thanksgiving
Class 23 - Monday November 26 parsing
Class 24 - Wednesday November 28 network operations
Field trip - Sunday Dec 2nd. Rules and Space project due
Class 25 - Monday December 3 review and catch up. work on final project
Class 26 - Wednesday December 5 work on final project
Class 27 - Monday December 10 final project due. final project critique
Class 28 - Wednesday December 12 final presentations