Conceptual Information Arts

The following are web sites for past and current classes in the CIA emphasis. Each site contains detailed descriptions of the class, and many have examples of student work from the class. These sites are a good way to see what goes on in CIA classes.

Fall 09 Courses


Notice:  The current budget crises in California is impacting San Francisco State University and the courses being offered this coming fall.  CIA, like all other areas within the University, is also affected by the current budget crises.   At this time, we are not able to offer Art 412, or the usual menu  of thematic Art 511 classes in the fall.   We  will keep you posted on options and changes as they arise. We will post changes on the site  but nothing may be known till the start of the next semester.  

For now:  
•  Those of you who are registering for CIA foundation classes (Art410/Art412), register for Art410.  We will inform you as to the availability of Art412 for the Fall semester or any alternatives.  
• For those registering for Art 511,    Art 511 - digital video(Levine) will be offered in the fall, 09.   Also 511 Experimental Sound
• The program is very much alive and we encourage any of you with  interests in experimental media to enter the program.  One core  professor, Steve Wilson, is on research leave this fall semester.   When he returns, CIA will swing back into a full array of courses.


Sorry - Cancelled because of budget -
     contact your state legislators

Art 412  Conceptual/Information Arts Introduction to Art & Technology T-TH  2-5 Visiting Artist - Brad Borevich    http://onetwothree.net

Introduction to use of computers and emerging technologies in art. Learn skills of computer graphics, animation, sound, and interactive programming.  Learn techniques used in games, interactive installations, and net art. Survey artists working at the frontiers of scientific and technological research.
**Note - contingent on budget.


Art 410 Introduction to Conceptual Strategies (Paula Levine, Fall, 2009  T-TH  9-12)
What does Conceptual Art have to do with Second Life? Why are ideas important? What happens when the Muse takes a holiday? How do cultures remember what's ideologically important and what does art have to do with it? Work with art, technology, culture and everyday life, acquire skills in digital media such Photoshop, Illustrator,and blog your way to new arenas, new strategies, approaches and sources for ideas. 


Art 511 
Digital Video (Paula Levine, Fall, 2009)  T-TH  2-5

Sorry - Cancelled because of budget -
     contact your state legislators

Art 511.1  Art & Telecommunications  - Internet, Web Art, Netart  
Tu/Thu  9-12   Andy Cox  (listed as New Communications Technology)  http://www.twcdc.com/    FA 544

  • An exploration of the concepts and hands-on techniques for creating art works that use contemporary telecommunications technology including computer networks, the World Wide Web, cell phones, and other wireless technologies. 
  • Introduction to web authoring skills such as html coding, information architecture, web design,  preparation of image, audio, and video for the web, and web authoring software. 
  • Introduction to emerging web technologies such as web cameras, javascript, municipal wifi, and interactive Ajax programming. 
  • (Listed as New Communication Technologies)  
**Note - contingent on budget.


Art 612 Advanced Projects - Internship (Paula Levine)  T-TH 6-9 (Listed Times will be modified)  tentative syllabus subject to change


Art 511  Experimental Sound.  F 9-12 and 1-4  Vsiiting Artists - Eilish Cullen & Jeff Ray   FA 538

How does one define music, sound, noise, and silence? What are the social and political functions of these elements and how can they be used in media works? Experimental Sound is a production course in which students explore contemporary issues and techniques of sonic media. Students will experiment with designing linear and non-linear sound and creating interactive sound environments. The course will explore developments in contemporary sonic media, and students will read critical writings in music history, cultural studies, sound and media theory. Themes explored in detail will include: invented instruments; voice, language, and the body; acoustic ecology and urban noise; sound and architecture (real and virtual spaces); sampling, remixing,and DJ culture; digital interfaces, web-based instruments, and internet art.

Note- This course is offered under special arrangements.  It does not appear in the SFSU class schedule.  Sign up for Art 612.  Meet the class on Friday in Room FA 538 or 544.



Archived Courses 

**** Note - some materials listed in these links are from the last offering of each course.  The syllabi are subject to change.  Check for updated syllabi.

Art 412  Conceptual/Information Arts Introduction to Art & Technology T-TH  2-5 Steve Wilson 
Introduction to use of computers and emerging technologies in art. Learn skills of computer graphics, animation, sound, and interactive programming.  Learn techniques used in games, interactive installations, and net art. Survey artists working at the frontiers of scientific and technological research.

Art 410 Introduction to Conceptual Strategies (Paula Levine, Fall, 2008  T-TH  9-12)

Art 511.1  Art & Telecommunications  - Internet, Web Art, Netart  
Tu/Thu  9-12   Steve Wilson  (listed as New Communications Technology)

  • An exploration of the concepts and hands-on techniques for creating art works that use contemporary telecommunications technology including computer networks, the World Wide Web, cell phones, and other wireless technologies. 
  • Introduction to web authoring skills such as html coding, information architecture, web design,  preparation of image, audio, and video for the web, and web authoring software. 
  • Introduction to emerging web technologies such as web cameras, javascript, municipal wifi, and interactive Ajax programming. 
  • (Listed as New Communication Technologies)  
Art 511.2  Locative Studio, Paula Levine T-TH  2-5
Listed as: Art 511.02 - Conceptual Strategies.  S 09
Locative studio is an upper division studio course in Locative Media, a new and emerging field in art that bridges cartography, public space, geography, cultural histories and narratives, and gaming.  Using Global Positioning Satellites (GPS) devices, cell phones and other location-based media, students explore gaming, public histories and narratives and social networks in public spaces. Priorities given to CIA area emphasis and Art majors, however students outside of those areas are admitted if space allows, with permission of the instructor. No previous knowledge required of locative media required.  Basic web skills, knowledge of Photoshop and digital sound are helpful.


 Art 511  Digital Video (Paula Levine, Fall, 2005)  T-TH  2-5


Art 511.1 Art and Emerging Technologies    (Stephen Wilson) T-TH  9-12
This course aims to prepare aratists and new media professionals to become innovators in the development of emerging technologies.  Students will study new developments in biology, body imaging, alternative interfaces (motion, gesture, voice, face, biosensors, etc) materials  science, gps, VR, nanotechnology, and other fields.  Students will learn how to discover what is going on in the research think tanks and develop conceptual art works based on the  technologies.  Students will learn basic web authoring as a tool for mocking up concepts. ** Priority enrollment for CIA Majors


Art 511.3  Electronics/Sensor Based Events / Physical Computing.  Stephen Wilson.  S 09
Hands-on studio course to introduce students to techniques and aesthetics of creating experimental art/media events and installations based on technologies of electronics, sensors and actuation of devices. The course will survey previous artistic work with physical computing and technological trends such as ubiquitous computing. Familiarity with computing and authoring languages is useful but not required. Consent of Instructor Required. ** Priority enrollment for CIA majors.



Art  610 – ADVANCED PROJECTS  S 09  Paula Levine.
An advanced course in which students use research methods in conjunction with their studio practice to develop two projects in depth. Emphasis on student research, writing and class presentations, the completion of two major projects with an online blog documenting ongoing research and process notes, as well as a final online project portfolio. 


Art 612 Advanced Projects - Internship (Stephen Wilson  T-TH 7-10 Listed Times will be modified)  tentative syllabus subject to change

Art 704  Graduate Seminar (Paula Levine, Fall, 2003)



Art 410 Introduction to Conceptual Strategies John Davis, Spring, 2008  T-TH  9-12 

Art 511.1 Art and Emerging Technologies    (Stephen Wilson) T-TH  9-12


Art 511.2  Locative Studio,
Michella Rivera-Gravage T-TH  2-5
Listed as: Art 511.02 - Conceptual Strategies.
Locative media is a new and emerging area in art that uses wireless, mobile and locative based technology, such as cell phones, laptops and Global Position Satellite (GPS) receivers, to radically change how people use, occupy, live, work and play in public spaces.  Learn about this new and emerging field of work as you reinvent familiar, everyday places.  No previous knowledge of GPS or other locative media is required.   ** Priority enrollment for CIA Majors.  Spring, 08

Art 511.3  Mods and Machinima.  Andy Cox  Fri 9-12  1-4  Spring, 08
In the first part of the class we will modify (mod) 3D computer games (most likely using the Source Engine software development kit). In the second part we'll use a game engine to make movies (machinima). No previous programming experience is required, but the class requires a strong attention to detail.  ** Priority enrollment for CIA Majors   www.twcdc.com/

Art 610 Advanced Projects Stephen Wilson  T-Th 7-10 (actual times TBA)

Spring 08  Special Opportunity   Art 541  INTERACT TIMEBASED SCULPT    - Visiting Artist Kal Spelletich  F 9-12  1-4

Sculpture course  of special interest for CIA majors may be offered.  Taught by Kall Spelletich of the robotic arts group Seemen  the course will include some material on kinetics.  It will meet studio elective requirement.  Requires sculpture 2 (art 440) as a prerequisite, but confer with professor if you have not had the course

Art 412  Conceptual/Information Arts Introduction to Art & Technology T-TH  2-5 Steve Wilson 

Art 410   Introduction to Conceptual Strategies ( T-TH  9-12)
Visiting Artist  -  Andy Cox  www.twcdc.com/   (Fall 07)


Art 511.2  Digital Video   Tu/ Th 2-5   Visiting Artist Katherin McInnis (Fall 07)

Timecode: an introduction to diverse artistic practices using digital   video and audio.  Learn  basic recording and editing techniques,   methods of manipulation, and options for theater, gallery or web- based presentation. The course combines hands-on practice with an  overview of video and sound art history and current trends.  Visiting Artist Katherin McInnis  www.katherinmcinnis.com


Art 511.3  Unplugged Programming: Instructions, Rules, Recipes and Code
Fri  9-12  1-4   
Visiting Artist  Paul Catanese  (Fall 07)

Studio course that engages the notion of computing as a hybrid space for creative practice that may intersect with computers, but does not necessarily require them. Students will explore instructions, rules, recipes, codes, procedures, etc. in relation to a variety of creative outputs as determined by idea rather than by material. We will examine artists that engage rule systems alongside relevant conceptual antecedents. Though useful  familiarity with computing or programming is not required. (listed as Conceptual Strategies)   Visiting Artist  Paul Catanese   www.paulcatanese.com/



**Warning - some old archived course links may be inactive
 

- This page created by Stephen Wilson, Professor Conceptual/Information Arts Program, Art Department, SFSU (http://userwww.sfsu.edu/~swilson) swilson@sfsu.edu
- More information about the Conceptual Information Arts program is available at (http://userwww.sfsu.edu/~infoarts)