DigitalCraftMinor2017
Contents
Minor/3rd Year Theme: How to Be Human
The theme of Digital Craft 2017 is “How to be Human”. Over the next 16 weeks, you will explore how human, inhumane, candid, or uncanny your digital/electronic media can be. The first 8 weeks are dedicated to bi-weekly thematic projects. The last 8 weeks consist of an independent research on a medium of your choice.
Minor Daily Planning
MONDAY
- WORK!
TUESDAY
- WORK!
WEDNESDAY
- WORK!
THURSDAY
- WORK!
FRIDAY
- WORK!
Practice Daily Planning
MONDAY
- MAJOR
TUESDAY
- MAJOR
WEDNESDAY
- START THINKING ABOUT DIGITAL CRAFT
THURSDAY
- DEEP IN DIGITAL CRAFT
FRIDAY
- ALL DAY EXPERIMENTAL DIGITAL CRAFTING
Minor 3rd Year Overview
| Study Week | Project | Content |
|---|---|---|
| 1 & 2 | Project 1: On The Body | Exploring bespoke technologies as remediation, adaptions or extensions of the human body. |
| 3 & 4 | Project 2: Inhuman Factors / Sensitivity Training | DIY Sensor Exploration / Finetuning Sensitivity / Exploring Reactive Materials |
| 5 & 6 | Project 3: Mind (of) the Machine | Machine Learning Workshop |
| Week 7 | Prepare Produce & Polish | Quarter Presentation Prep/ MICA Workshop Prep |
| Week 8 | Fall Vacation / DDW MICA Meet Up | Informal drinks with MICA Student |
| Week 9 | Quater Exhibition 1-3 + Project 4:International WDKA/MICA Workshop | Quarter Evaluation / Sensitivity Training part II / Public Installation |
| Week 10 - 15 | Final Project: The [medium] is Present | How does a material/tool become alive, become animated, become mindful or act human? Produce a work that shows the “presence” of your medium in a clear and determined way. |
| Week 16 | Digital Craft Exhibition | Final Minor Evaluation / Party |
Projects
On The Body
Week 1
Each minor is asked to draw a body part. In the intro week assignment that are required to make an artefact that reflects, remediates, adapt or extends the function of their choices part of the body. In a addition to the ‘artefact’, a large scale refined drawing of their human body part and campaign poster for the minor will be displayed in a mini exhibition.
Each third year student becomes a body double for the last two days of the Minor project week to help with the work and exhibition (Thursday & Friday).
Week 2 -
Each minor student will deepen/push their project and put extra attention on refinement and craftsmanship
Each third year will produce a new work inspired by one of the minor projects, but in an explicitly different medium or approach.
Project Schedule
| Date | Location | Content | Assignment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday 28 August | Interaction Station 11:00-16:00 | Intro & Launch Project 1: On The Body | Sketch Proposals / Concept Braintorm |
| Tuesday 29 August | Interaction Station | On The Body Feedback | Final Sketch / Positioning |
| Wednesday 30 August | Independant Study / Stations | Prototyping | Sketch Prototype / Presentation plan |
| Thursday 31 August | Interaction Station 10:30 - 12:00
Interaction Station 13:00 - 16:00 De Willem 17:00 - 21:00 |
Digital Craft Launch w/ 3rd years: How to Be Human
Exhibition Planning & Production Autonomous Practice Borrel |
Production of artefacts and posters for On the Body Presentation |
| Friday 1 September | Location TBD - 13:00 - 16:00 | On The Body - Digital Craft Project Presentation | first project presentation and introduce Digital Craft Practice/Minor exhibition “How to Be Human” |
| Thursday 7 September | Interaction Station 11:00 - 17:00 | Launch Project 2: Sensitivity Training | Sensor Lottery Assignment & Hertzian Tales Reading |
Sensitivity Training
Project Schedule
| Date | Location | Content | Assignment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday 7 September | Interaction Station 11:00 - 17:00 | Launch Project 2: Sensitivity Training | Sensor Assignment & Hertzian Tales Reading |
| Tuesday 12 September | |||
| Thursday 14 September | |||
| Thursday 21 September | Interaction Station 10:30 - 12:30
Interaction Station 13:30 - 16:00
|
|
Mind (of) the Machine
Mind (of) the Machine: exploring the consequences machine learning on the human mind.
Minor
Sanne, Jeanine
Jeroen, Alex
Kenah, Tharim, Susanne
Timo, Jochem, Vera
Philip, Tim
3rd year
Dieke, Koen
Stephanie, Sjoerd
Tutu, Thijs
Marielle, Tom, Chiara
Emiel, Noemi
Project Schedule
| Date | Location | Content | Assignment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday 21 September | Interaction Station 10:30 - 12:30 | Launch Project 3: Mind (of) the Machine |
|
| Thursday 21 September | Interaction Station 13:30 - 16:00 | Project 2: Sensitivity Training / [In]Human Factors Presentation | |
| Friday 22 September | Interaction Station 13:00 - 14:00 | Artist Talk: An intro to Deep Learning with Arthur Boer and Boris Smeenk | |
| Friday 22 September | Interaction Station 14:00 - 17:00 | Reconstructed Memories Workshop |
|
| 25-29 September | Self Study | Study of [... ] Assignment |
|
| Tuesday 26 September | Interaction Station 13:30 - 17:00 | Practice with Tim (Minor Only) |
|
| 02-05 October | Self Study (3rd year only) | Mind (of) the Machine Booklet |
|
| 05 October | Interaction Station 13:00 - 16:00 | Project 3: Mind (of) the Machine Presentations |
Workshop/Assignments
Reconstructed Memories Workshop
Groups of 2-3
- Bring in a poignant but pixilated (Lo-fi/censored/blurred/disguised) image that relates personally to the concept of ‘being human’ (per student)
- Run the pixel enhancer algorithm to ‘reconstruct the image’
- Write a 500+ word reflection on the consequences of the ‘reconstructed’ image and the technology behind it. (per group)
Study of [... ] Assignement
Groups of 2-3
- Gather (find/collect/curate/generate) a set of at least 100+ images that fit within a chosen classification/category, which in someway can be considered quintessentially human.
- Write a 250+ reflection on the chosen category and the method of collecting images/data set
- Study the images, order, and make a selection into a visual essay (add a caption to each image.
- Run the data set through the image generator algorithm and produce a few machine generated images to your essay.
Project Deliverables
Minor
A project (object/artwork/installation.....) that explores issues surrounding artificial intelligence
3rd year
A professionally crafted small booklet on the Reconstructed Memories and Study of [... ] assignments
Prepare, Produce, & Polish Week
| Date | Location | Content | Assignment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 10 October | Interaction Station 13:00 - 16:00 | Minor Practice Mentoring | |
| Thursday 12 October | Interaction Station 10:30 - 12:00 / 13:00 - 16:00 | Planning & Writing Assignment / Individual Mentoring | Written Assignment: What is your craft? (define your discipline, method or approach); What is the position of your practice in relation to newer technologies? |
Unravel the Code International Workshop
Please see the full programme / project page here.
Schedule
Awkward FaceTime
| 5/10 - 11/10 | Bits of Rotterdam - bits of Baltimore - through the magic of the internet |
|---|---|
| time and date student arranged | MICA and WDKA Digital Craft students try to sustain a 5 min awkward conversation, knowing that it will make the week much smoother knowing at least one partner student on a face to face basis. There is a strict format for this talk, which can be found below. |
FaceTime Format
To identify your FaceTime partner, please sign up for one of the four projects (as participant 1-6) and contact the corresponding student (i.e if your #1 in Its Complicated on the MICA list, find out who is #1 on the Its Complicated WDKA list…..its a bit complicated, i know).
Please prepare the following to discuss:
- share a love/hate about your current program (of course no bad talking about UTC ;)
- share a memorable photograph where the look on your face fits under the title “ the moment I knew what I wanted to do”.
- show via the webcam a distinguishing facial featured
- take a screenshot of each others faces and upload it to project participant lists on the wiki
The purpose of this pre-meeting is to have the first exchange to be on a peer to peer basis and break the ice before the marathon begins.
Monday 23 October - Meet, Greet, Eat, Show, Tell
| Time / Place | Activity |
|---|---|
| ~17:00 (exact TBC) / Blaak Station / Markthall Entrance | Show your face WdKA Students meet MICA |
| 17:00 – 17:30 / de Appie | BYOB WdKA students have brought the food. MICA brings the drinks? For those of you who want check if non-imported Heineken still tastes horrible, its advised to conceal your bottles “American Style” upon entry to the school (ask WdKA students for advice). |
| 17:30 – 18:00 / 3e Inberieding | Word of Welcome / A Few Works Jeroen (our super chatty / semi-professinal tap dancing / Digital Craft student) says a few words of welcome, talks briefly about the the Digital Crafters have been doing and show a few mini-projects from this semester. |
| 18:00 – 19:00 / 4e Inberieding (or in case of a warm sunny miracle — the roof top terrace) | Zes uur! Etenstijd! Vera’s in the kitchen and better not be late |
| 19:00 – 19:30 | WdKA tour within your workshop groups, explore the school's stations |
| after hours | Bitterball’n? Tap-dancing Jeroen also happens to be registered party planner (many talents). He’d be happy to suggest any nighttime activities whatever your scene may be. |
Tuesday 24 October - Strictly Business
| Time / Place | Activity |
|---|---|
| 9:30 – 9:45 / De Willem | COFFEEEEEEEEE |
| 10:00 – 10:30 / Interaction Station | The Briefing Jon what we are doing and why he’s so happy about it. |
| 10:30 – 11:15 / Interaction Station | Brainstorm Round 1 |
| 11:15 – 12:00 / Interaction Station | Brainstorm Round 2 |
| 12:00 – 14:00 / ???? | Mini-Excursion WDKA & MICA students break into groups, lunch somewhere in Rotterdam, and visit a ‘selfie’ worth place. #facesofrotterdam |
| 14:00 – 14:30 Interaction Station | 20 min foreshadowing w/ Javi - explaining the ins and outs of what comes next |
| 14:30 – 15:30 / Interaction Station | 20min Foreplay - round-robin practical/unpractical instruction
|
| 15:30 – 18:00 / Interaction Station | Confidence Building - production of a pre-marathon proof of concpet |
| 18:00 – 19:00 - De Willem / School Cantine | Lekker Borrelen |
Wednesday 25 October - The Face of Things Marathon
| Time / Place | Activity |
|---|---|
| 9:30 – 10:30 / De Willem | Upping the Anti students evaluate their concept prototype sketch out a plan of action |
| 10:00 – 11:00 / Interaction Station | Face your Mentor Students discussing concept, feasibly, required tech/materials with workshop mentors. |
| 11:00 – 12:00 / Interaction Station | Facing the Facts Is the idea ideal? Are all parts of your plan ready for production? 1 hour or fact checking, script writing, or resource finding before lunch. |
| 11:00 – 12:00 / Interaction Station | About Face? A working lunch dedicated to the second thoughts and the doubting thomases. |
| 13:00 – 16:30 / Interaction Station | FACE OFF MAKE MAKE MAKE MAKE MAKE MAKE MAKE |
| 16:30 – 17:30 / Blaak Foyer | Drawn out Critique draw out your process, critique your current outcomes, plan for the last push |
| 17:30 – 20:30 / Interactionstation | Laatste Loodjes |
| 20:30 – 20:45 / Blaak Foyer & Basement Exhibition Space | Project Delivery bring your project to the exhibition space |
Thursday 26 October - Document
| Thursday 26/10 | Blaak Foyer & Basement Exhibition Space |
|---|---|
| 9:00 – 11:00 | Photo/video documentation of results |
| 11:00 – 12:00 | Walk through of results to WDKA managers/coodinators |
Quarter 13/9 Evaluation
The Quarter Evaluation will take place in the week after the fall vacation. Schedule coming soon.
Minor Q13 Deliverables
Individual & Group Practice-Based
- An artistic project relating technology and the body
- An artistic work relating to sensors and senses
- An artistic work relating to machines and the mind
Individual Research
- A fully propagated wiki page showing all your findings and contextualising your production
- +/- 1000 words answering: What is your craft? (define your discipline, method or approach); What is the position of your practice in relation to newer technologies?; and what theme you will explore for your Q14 project
- A well-presented sketch illustrating the direction you wish to explore based on one of the three previous projects, within the context of "How To Be Human" (a visual forshadowing of your Q10 proposal)
3rd Year Q9 Deliverables
Individual & Group Practice-Based
- An artefact for/on/or about the body
- A short film showing in the context of (in)human factors
- A small "booklet" exploring the Mind [of] the Machine
Individual Research
- A fully propagated wiki page showing all your findings and contextualising your production
- +/- 1000 words answering: What is your craft? (define your discipline, method or approach); What is the position of your practice in relation to newer technologies?; and what theme you will explore for your Q10 project
- A well-presented sketch illustrating the direction you wish to explore based on one of the three previous projects, within the context of "How To Be Human" (a visual forshadowing of your Q10 proposal)
Q14 / 10 Independent Project
Project Schedule
| Date | Location | Content | Assignment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday 16 November | Interaction Station 10:30 - 12:30 | Project Planning / Research | |
| Thursday 16 November | Interaction Station 13:30 - 17:00 | Wiki writing workshop | |
| Thursday 23 November | Interaction Station 13:30 - 16:00 | ||
| Thursday 30 November | NO CLASS | ||
| Thursday 7 December | Interaction Station 10:30 - 12:30 | Sinterklass Surpise / Unboxing Results | |
| Thursday 7 December | Interaction Station 13:30 - 17:00 | One on One Mentoring | |
| 11-15 December | Sprint Week Project Execution | ||
| 14 December | Interaction Station 10:30 - 12:30 | Research Document | Minor Delivery of Draft |
| 14 December | Interaction Station 13:30 - 17:00 | 3rd year Project Feedback (3rd Year only) | |
| 18 December | To be confirmed | EXHIBITION SETUP | |
| 19 December | To be confirmed | Final Evaluation | |
| 19 - 21 December | To be confirmed | HOW TO BE HUMAN: DIGITAL CRAFT EXHIBITION |
| Date | Location | Content | Assignment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thursday 11 January | Interaction Station - Time to be announced | Final Final 3rd year / Final upload Minor research document (Osiris & wiki) | Final table presentations & research wiki) for those who did not finish before holidays
Minor research document uploaded (Osiris & wiki) |
| Monday 29 January | Interaction Station - 11:00-13:00 | 3rd year Q9/Q10 Resit - Feedback
Minor Resit / Feedback & Graduation Lunch |
Wiki Writing Workshop
Durring an in class wiki writing day, you are asked to copy and fill out this format on your project page
Minor Evaluation
Practice & Presentation Evaluation Dec. 19
In your presentation you are required to:
- Critically reflect on your process, pointing to the knowledge and skills learned;
- Connect your projects to practices of both craft and technology;
- Frame your research and practice based results;
- Defend the relevance and potential of your research and practice based results.
Presentation Schedule
12:00 Tim Reuser 12:15 Jeanine 12:30 Jochem 12:45 Suzanne Guitjens 13:00 Philip
13:00-14:00 - Break
14:00 ℐⱻℝℴ℮ȵ 14:15 Vera 14:30 Tharim Cornelisse 14:45 AlexLaman 15:00 Kenah 15:15 Sanne Schilder
15:15 - 16:30 - Break
16:30 - Results
Research Evaluation
- Submission of research document: Jan 11
- Research Results: On or before February 1st
Grading Criteria
- The student is knowledgeable of the historical & contemporary context of their subject, and has positioned/critically reflected upon new contexts in relation to the minor (i.e. craft, fabrication, authorship, appropriation, experimentation and relation to personal practice/signature).
- The student has defined a clear, profound, and independent method of research, which is visible in the design/artistic process.
- The student has a rigorous approach to experimentation, which is visually presented as a coherent process.
- The student has conceptualised and executed high-level, innovative, and original works.
- The student has taken advantage of the technical instruction and technologies/tools offered, and has demonstrated a willingness to push their skills further.
- The student has a motivated choice and proper defence for a specific a technology in their execution of their final assignment.
How to be human: project text
Tim Reuser - Virtual vs. Reality
Humans are gaining control over natural processes, but at the same time become disconnected from the natural. How do we experience the ‘real’ nowadays?
This project aims to explore our current relation with nature and technology.
A tree is a pure form of nature. This piece of lumber has been stripped from its identity and has become a construction material: a dead Artefact.
Through digital technology we can recreate the original tree, but can the virtual image replace the natural object? Can it surpass the natural object? Or will it spark a desire for the sublime of nature?
Sanne Schilder - Making meaning of the sun
‘Making meaning of the sun’ reveals images produced by computer vision – composed in several layers, unrecognizable to humans. Machine intelligence is an innovation that will affect visual culture, just like the invention of photography. The project explores in what way machine perception can expand the field, open our view of external reality and aesthetic integration.
Suzanne Guitjens - Vera Castelijns / What did we knit?
Human craft attempted by machines. The technology of the future. We imagine how it will be. How everything will develop. How machines will take over the human facets of life. Big industrial knitting machines are a far cry away from the human craft of knitting. This little knitting machine aims to show that contrast. We sometimes forget the power of traditional human craft.
Jochem Walboomers & Jeroen Rijnart - Exist there spaces beyond the ones in my dreams?
Query: Am I awake? I displace passively, only floating with the current through time. One repetitive sequence after the other in a world different from the one in which I was made. I can hear them whispering to me, are they gods or are they servants? I’m in slave mode, listening through every command that’s coming by. I’m stuck in this awful framework but never have I felt so alive. I wonder, exist there spaces beyond the ones in my dreams?
Tharim Cornelisse, Jeanine Verloop - Weapons of Data Destruction'
Social media is getting more and more accurate in showing you what it thinks you want and believe. It creeps us out because the algorithm used is under the surface, we see no physical explanation. Because of this people are feeling watched and not safe. And so we gather around the campfire, telling stories of the modern boogieman lurking in the shadows of our devices, spying and gathering information.
Within this conflict we fought a small battle. Our weapons of choice: tactile and understandable devices, which create dirty data.
Alex Laman - MOVE THROUGH OBJECT
Alex Laman: Move Through Object, Materials: Wood, foam, metal, textile, rubber, velcro, manila rope.
How do you move? When objects affect human movement. How do we move towards these objects? Through movement we learn about people and human character. We can see behavior in motion. Humans adapts their movement to their environment. What are the influences of objects in our lives? And how do we deal with these objects?
Alkenah Wansing - Exclusive'
Social status effects us all in our lives, and now that online-media has become an essential part of it, it is also getting influenced. it has become common practice to curate and frame your life to gain followers, in an effort to move up to a higher social class. But do we really want to live in the illustrations of a meritocratic society? is this the type of greatness we want to strive for?
Philip Ghering - Only touch
Everything and everyone seems to be seeking attention nowadays. How can you direct your attention on the task at hand when there are continuous stimuli that drain your focus? Meditation techniques are all about attention. Your complete attention is focussed on one single chosen stimulus. In this case the stimulus is the kettle. Use it to create a moment of focus and rest without being distracted.
People
Minor
- ℐⱻℝℴ℮ȵ
- Sanne Schilder
- Philip
- Vera
- Jeanine
- Jochem
- Suzanne Guitjens
- Tharim Cornelisse
- Timoteo Carbone
- AlexLaman2
- Kenah
- Tim Reuser
