GMU:We Make Machines Not Art I

We Make Machines Not Art I

Werkmodul/Fachmodul
Lecturer: Darsha Hewitt
Credits: 6 ECTS, 4 SWS
Date: Montag, 09:15 bis 12:30
Venue: Marienstraße 5, Room 201
First meeting: Montag, 13 Oktober 2014, um 09:15 Uhr

We Make Machines Not Art I

This is a rigorous introduction to the world of Do-It-Yourself Electronics. We Make Machines Not Art I proposes an art-making methodology where conceptual and aesthetic fundamentals grow out of a hands-on investigation of electricity and the materiality of electronic technology.

This course takes a bottom-up approach to developing art through deconstruction; intuitive experimentation; pattern recognition and reverse-engineering. By employing these techniques, it also aims to investigate the economic systems embedded throughout technology and consider how this impacts humans and nature.

There are no prerequisites for this course. It is structured for students that are committed to independent research; open to collaborative exchange and receptive to mentorship. Along with the creation of artwork and the completion of weekly assignments, students must read and discuss pertinent texts and develop methodical portfolio documentation.

Why is called We Make Machines Not Art?

Because you are going to be mainly building and making machines. The title is borrowed from a blog titled We Make Money Not Art. We will be doing some readings here. This is a bit of an experiment with Régine Debatty the blogger of this site. More about this in class.

IMPORTANT

• Late arrivals and absence are taken very seriously in this course
• Mandatory course kit: 30 euros
• The language of instruction is English
• Students must indicate their interest via email (darsha.hewitt@uni-weimar.de) by October 10th, 2014. On October 13th, students must attend a meeting with the instructor to assess if the course and current study goals align.