Media Core Classes

New Narrative Images One explores the narrative magic of technology with a focus on personal storytelling with digital tools. Essential qualities of the media are explored for their expressive potential. Beginning with the conceptualization of the artwork and the development of a personal creative process, students incorporate these images into personal projects.
New Narrative Images Two explores digital storytelling through video production, computer imaging, and digital media editing. Course topics focus on the essence and properties of digital media. Students engage in pre–production planning and storyboarding. Students then progress to acquiring images using digital still photography and video cameras, and incorporating these images into new media art forms.
New Narrative Images Two expands on methods developed in New Narrative Images One, comparing and contrasting series images with sequential images. Studying and combining editing techniques and narrative theory, students produce time–based works realized through image manipulation, synthesis and compositing. Time–based software methods for sequencing images are used to reinvestigate traditional strategies of collage and montage. Opportunities for placing these narratives into new forms of distribution such as streaming media and other new media forms are an important concern of this course.

Interactive Images investigates interactivity and construct experiences and “spaces” for the viewer. The role of the viewer in “producing” or completing the artwork is central. Questions of research methodology, identity and authenticity will be investigated. Several important strategies for producing and presenting interactive and responsive art are explored. Students produce QuickTime VR, program interactivity for CD–ROM and DVD, and construct shared virtual environments.
Sculptural Media Images investigates the integration of new media such as video, computers, and electronics into physical, sculptural, and environmental artworks. Audience issues in gallery venues as well as site–specific installation and public media artwork are explored. Topics include special planning processes, prototype and model development, negotiating skills, and legal issues specific to installation.

Performance Media Images is concerned with expressive modalities rooted in the body and its physical presence in relation to an audience. Traditional concerns are linked and expand into the performative potential of electronic media presentation modes. This course explores the role of both the performer and the audience in traditional and interactive work; and investigates activated media sets; props and virtual performers.