Artwork + Critique

Working individually, or in pairs, create a "live" audiovisual work that incorporates the use of a gestural interface. The gestural interface is defined as a physical device that senses or responds to physical input to shape a digital experience or performance. Projects should incorporate at least one interface technology introduced in the course, to be used as an interactive component for the audience, or as a performance tool for the artist(s). The live nature of the work can take different forms: as interactive artwork, performance, or programmed image, sound, video, or installation. You should consider the poetic or symbolic nature of gesture to form a critical reflection on ideas of interaction and interfacing as it relates to a personal, social, or political interest. You may additionally use any tools or techniques explored throughout the course. Work will be presented in peer critique on the project due date. Following critique, you will submit brief documentation that describes the artistic and technical intentions behind the work.

Documentation

Following critique, you will submit brief documentation of your project, providing a technical and artistic description of the project.

1 PDF per project submitted to Moodle, containing the following information:

• Your name(s)
• Project Title, Medium, Year
• 1 Image - An image that represents the project
• 1 Link - To audiovisual documentation of the project (OneDrive, Youtube, Vimeo, +++)
• Artistic Statement (100-150 words)
• Self Reflection (100-150 words)
• List of References
• Acknowledgment of the Use of AI (if necessary)

PDF Formatting Requirements:

• Legible font choice
• 12 pt font
• Single spaced

See Artwork Documentation Guide for formatting example.

Assessment Criteria

Artwork + Critique (10 pts)

1. Artwork creatively interprets the use a of gesture to produce an artwork that reflects critically on a personal, social, or political issue (2 pts)
2. Artwork demonstrates an effective and appropriate use of interactive or interfacing technologies, made clear through the work (2 pts)
3. The presentation/installation of the work is clean, well thought out, and contributes to the overall experience of the work (2 pts)
4. Technical processes and equipment used are functional, and elevate the overall impact of the work (2 pts)
5. Meaningful contribution to discussion of peer work during critique (2 pts)

Documentation (10 pts)

1. Documentation is complete, reasonably follows formatting guidelines, employs strong writing with minimal grammatical errors and clear sentences. (2 pts)
2. Clear description of artistic intent (2 pts)
3. Concise technical description (2 pts)
4. Image of the work and link to audiovisual documentation conveys the artistic intention well and shows off the quality of the work (2pts)
5. Reflection demonstrates self-awareness in relation to the broader unit theme, outcomes of the project idea (2pts)

Resources

Types of Gestures

#scrolling #swiping #typing #fidgeting #breathing #heartbeat #blinking #shivering #swaying #shifting #yawning #signing #waving #pointing #beckoning #high-five #fistbump #nodding #clapping #snapping #bowing #praying #saluting #stretching #clenching #lifting #turningaknob #flippingaswitch #embracing #dancing #touching #stroking #drawing #pinching #zooming #dragging #tapping #hovering #freezing

Creative Prompts

• Is your gesture habitual, involuntary, bodily, communicative, ritualistic, ceremonial, protective, functional, affectionate, intimate, political, performative, expressive, or technological?
• What gesture do you make so often you no longer notice you're doing it? Does actively recognizing that gesture change the way you use it?
• What would a gesture sound like? What would a gesture look like if it wasn't in your body?
• What are specific gestures you associate with your culture? What meaning do they carry?
• What could it mean for an interface to refuse a gesture?
• Is a gesture repetitive or occasional? Does it take a long time to enact or a short time? What happens when you change these conditions of a gesture?
• What's the smallest, most invisible movement your body makes and how could you amplify it?
• What does it mean to give someone control of an image, sound, or environment? What does it mean to receive that control?
• What's a gesture you wish more people understood the meaning of, and how might a machine help make that possible?
• What would it mean for an interface to refuse you, rather than respond to you?

Artists

Lynn Hershman Leeson, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, Imogen Heap, David Rokeby, Camille Utterback, Zach Blas, American Artist, Myriam Bleu, Chris Salter, Navid Navab, Ryoichi Kurokawa, Erin Gee, Laetitia Sonami, Maurice Benayoun, Robert Henke, Bruce Nauman, Yoko Ono +++

Suggested Reading

• Cramer and Fuller, Interface (2008)
• Flusser, Gestures (2014)
• Leroi-Gourhan, The Body as the Source of Values and Rhythms (1993)
• Manovich, What New Media is Not (2001)
• Murtaugh, Interaction (2008)
• Phelan, The Ontology of Performance Representation without Reproduction (1993)
• Tuin and Verhoeff, Gesture (2022)

See Also

• Mapping Intermedia
• Mapping Intermedia 1 - What is Intermedia?
• Mapping Intermedia 2 - Audiovisual Transformation
• Mapping Intermedia 3 - Gestural Interfaces
• Sketchbook
• Summary of Assignments
• Transformation Project