THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

DEPARTMENT OF ART HISTORY, VISUAL ART AND THEORY

VISA 210 003 2017

 

Tuesdays 9:00 – 12:00 pm. ORCH 4072

Instructor: Manuel Piña-B

Office location: BC Binning, room 207

manuel.pina@ubc.ca

Office hours: Tuesdays 1 – 3 pm

 

 

Description

Examination of current art practices and issues related to digital technologies and contemporary culture. Technical instruction in image and sound manipulation with an emphasis on the theoretical conceptualization of digital artistic media.

Introduction

We are in the midst of an extraordinary period of technological evolution with profound influence in all aspects of human existence. For many, this a fateful moment in human history: how these new breakthroughs take place will radically affect economy, society, humanity and our planet as a whole.

Significantly, contemporary images play a fundamental role in this situation: they are catalyst for these changes while, at the same time serve as quintessential means of communication; repositories and transmitters of our experiences.

This class explores the interrelation between technology and humanity at the turn of the 21 century and the central role that images play in our moment. We will also consider their potential for the examination of our contemporary condition.

Some topics include:

• The interrelation between Technology and Humanity with images playing a pivotal place in this relation
• The impact of technological evolution on our everyday life and foreseeable future
• The nature of technical images and their role in contemporary culture and life.
• The possibilities offered by contemporary images for the examination of these questions.

Classwork

As part of our goals, this class seeks to create the skills and culture of life-long learning. Participants are expected to take agency in their individual learning in two main ways:

Weekly charts will serve as basis for class discussions, however, time constrains do not allow for a full exploration of that content. For a fuller comprehension of the topics, students are expected to individually explore the content and links in each chart.

In the same manner, the technical tools necessary for your work depend on your individual style and needs. Students are expected to obtain the tools necessary for you work through individual research. If you need further support we can address it on individual basis in the office hours.

A general thesis if this course is this: the ongoing changes in our relation to images brought about by current technologies signals the emergence of a new, quickly expanding visual language. During the term, we will explore such possibilities by attempting to communicate through images, to create a term-long image-based dialogue. This dialogue will revolve around the interrelation between technology and humanity, a relation in which -as we will see- art and images play a major role.

Each session will generally consist of:

• Discussion of previous class ideas, questions and visual responses posted in the website (see ‘weekly contributions’ below)
• Discussion on a new topic
• Introduction of the conceptual basis for the weekly assignment.

Objectives

• To cultivate the learning skills and habits proper to life-long learners
• To introduce and develop in the participants the means to interrogate the world employing artistic perspectives and strategies
• Develop a personal visual language informed by contemporary online visual culture
• Improved awareness of the role of images in all aspects contemporary human existence

Evaluations

The subject of our class (current conditions of image-creation) is one in constant change: new software, devices and sharing platforms dynamically emerge, morph or disappear. This makes ours a very exciting object of study, where experimentation and risk-taking are essential to fruitful investigations.

Our class will adopt an evaluation scheme that encourages such open investigations: students’ performance will be evaluated primarily on the basis of their commitment to the class and artistic explorations.

Here are the main criteria for evaluation:

• Attendance– The class plan is but a general guide for the course. Many ideas and topics will emerge from class discussions. Missing a meeting can mean missing a valuable unplanned complement to the course.
• Artistic investigation– It is important that you feel free to explore new challenges and ideas. Take chances as any truly open exploration includes the possibility of failing. Trial and error will be the main approach to our projects. Failures are only so if we don’t learn from them. Your work can be partially appropriated (all sources shall be properly cited).
• Participation (comments in class and online). Your questions and comments are your most important contribution to the class. You are required to weekly post to the class website. This includes:
  • Class notes (posted during the class or within the day);
  • Questions
  • Responses to classmates
  • Ideas
  • Related links
• Timely submissions– conversations will take mainly through images. It is vital that you submit all classwork by the due date

Comments

At the beginning of the term students are adjudicated a base mark of 75% (B+). This mark will be re-assessed at the end of the term in an individual meeting.

The main reference for the success of your work will be the comments made by your peers in class and the website. Given the time constrains I will not be able to make specific remarks about every single work. For a thorough discussion of your work and progress, please attend the weekly office hours or make an appointment.

Class Plan

Week 1- Introductions

Week 2- What is an Image?

Week 3- Images and the Real

Week 4- What is an image today?

Week 5- The power of images (2)

Week 6- Summary and Next

Week 7 – Reading

Week 8- What is Technology?

Week 9- What is Humanity? Human, H+, Non-human

Week 10- What is Humanity? The Question Concerning Technology

Week 11- Technology and Humanity: The Ghost in the Shell

Week 12- All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace

Week 13//14- Presentations coursework