recreating the past / SFPC summer 2020
In Recreating the Past, we will study computational art from the past decades and recreate these works with contemporary techniques to gain aesthetic, analytical and technical knowledge.
For each class, we investigate a different set of artists that have created work with software (either through code or algorithmic processes) and then recreate their artworks from scratch, discussing their approaches and tools, as well as poetic underpinnings. By recreating historic works, we also investigate what modern tools and approaches have to offer. In addition, we will also look at broader examples of what the artwork teaches us about algorithmic approaches and conceptual explorations. For example, seminal works like Camille Utterback and Romy Achituv’s “Text Rain” can be used as a starting point for discussing computer vision-based interaction. The class will focus on the building blocks of media art and generative design practice, such as algorithmic composition, typography, imaging, computer vision, audio analysis / synthesis, and interaction design.
- Chaos and Order (Vera Molnar)
- Animation and Harmony (John Whitney)
- Computational Typography (Muriel Cooper / John Maeda)
- Pattern (Bridgette Riley / Anni Albers)
- Pixels (Ken Knowlton / Lillian F. Schwartz)
- Images (Nancy Burson / Jason Salavon)
- Body (Camille Utterback and Romy Achituv / Myron Krueger)
- Glitch / Deformation (Rosa Menkman / Steina and Woody Vasulka)