OF SOUND AND VISION

Computation, Technology, and Culture: CTC-2007-01 | Winter 2020

Experimental / Foundation Studies | Rhode Island School of Design

Faculty: Mark Cetilia | Critic, D+M, E/FS | mcetil01@risd.edu

Class meetings: Thurs / Fri, 1:10–6:10pm, Wed 1/15 + 1/29, 1:10–6:10pm

Location: 15 West Mezzanine, Rooms M01 / M11

Office hours: TBA, by appointment

Course website: http://sites.google.com/risd.edu/of-sound-and-vision-2020/

The site serves as a portfolio of ongoing and final student work. It also contains assignment handouts and relevant notes, links, and resources.

Google Group: of-sound-and-vision-2020@risd.edu

Please use this list to share information and ask questions of the group.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This intensive studio course investigates computational approaches to generating sound and image in real time. Precedents from experimental film and video, as well as sound, installation, and performance art will be examined in relationship both to human perception and the students' artistic practice. The course will include discussion of key historical works and texts, hands-on demonstrations and in-class projects, as well as critical engagement with new works by class members. Students will use programming environments such as Max and its object libraries for sound and video, MSP and Jitter, to explore the creative and expressive potentials of an intermedia production practice, culminating in the development of a larger work that incorporates knowledge gained throughout the course.

Additional notes: In order to conduct work in this course, students will need a laptop computer running a recent Mac or Windows operating system. Previous programming experience is recommended, but not required. A mobile device capable of running iOS or Android is also recommended.

CONCEPTS AND GOALS

The course will include discussion of key historical works and texts, hands-on demonstrations, in-class projects, and skill-building labs, as well as critical engagement with new works by class members. Assignments will focus not only on the development of new technical skills, but on the development of a body of audiovisual works. The course will culminate in a final project that incorporates knowledge gained throughout the semester.

ORGANIZATION & INSTRUCTION

This is a studio course. Class sessions are 5 hours and will be primarily used for demos, workshops, assistance, and critique. We will meet in the 15 West Mezzanine, Rooms M01 and M11 (Spatial Audio Studio). Breaks will be announced depending on the plans for the day. Please be on time for the start of class and when returning from breaks.

REQUIREMENTS

Assignments & project. Your work this semester will be guided by a series of assignments and a final project. Please see the schedule later in this document for provisional due dates. Updates to the schedule will be announced in class and posted on the course website. It is your responsibility to take notes during lessons, discussions, and critiques. It is expected that you will utilize feedback given during critique to improve both the technical and conceptual aspects of your work throughout the semester.

Homework. Outside of class, you are required to complete homework. This includes readings, viewings, online submissions, and progress on projects. Please budget your time wisely; due dates are strict.

Be prepared. Be ready to workshop in class. Bring all necessary materials. This includes your laptop, headphones, and other materials as projects require.

Attention. Your full attention is required. Evidence of your attention includes maintaining focus during work sessions, participating in critiques and discussions, taking notes, and asking questions. Please refrain from phone calls, text messaging, and the use of social media sites (i.e. Facebook, Twitter, etc.) during class time.

POLICIES & COURSE CONDUCT

Grounds for permanent dismissal from class:

Unexcused absence on the first day of class
2 or more absences any time during semester
Repeat tardiness or routine disappearance from class
Failure to honor academic policies or standards of conduct

Mutual respect & common sense. Course conduct can be summarized with these two principles. Please maintain civility and respect the diverse backgrounds and perspectives of your classmates and all those we interact with during the semester.

Academic policies & standards of conduct. Your participation and projects must abide by the following:

RISD Academic Code of Conduct: http://www.risd.edu/Policies/Academic/
RISD Code of Student Conduct: http://www.risd.edu/Students/Policies//
An Installation Site Permit is required for projects that require the use of non-classroom space or that could potentially pose a safety risk. A form is available here with further details: http://info.risd.edu/environmental-health-safety/
Projects may not pose hazards that threaten or cause physical harm to yourself or others.
Projects may not cause damage to studio, shop, and lab equipment or school facilities.

Safe working. Always be concerned with your health and safety, and that of others. Pay close attention to demonstrations in class regarding the safe use of tools and materials. Heed posted warnings and instructions, and read the labels on materials. Take note of emergency exits, classroom phones, and first aid kits. Many art materials contain ingredients that are hazardous. Take suitable precautions so as to avoid skin contact, fume inhalation, or accidental ingestion when handling. Be sure to wash hands thoroughly after working and before eating. Be aware that all tools and materials carry some level of danger... some less obvious than others. In this class we will be working with soldering irons. There are specific hazards to take note of, which I will discuss in class demonstrations.

Attendance policies.

Attendance is mandatory.
Prompt (on-time) arrival to class is expected.
The only recognized excuses for absences or tardiness are in the case of serious illness, religious observance, or family emergency. If you must miss class for any reason, notify me as soon as possible.
In an event where excused absences become excessive, you may be required to withdraw from the course.
Please be aware that a student with 2 or more absences may be withdrawn from class. If you are not withdrawn due to absences, you can expect grade reductions.
Arriving to class late (tardiness) is not acceptable. Returning late after breaks is also considered tardiness. Tardiness will be counted as a full or partial absence.
You may not leave class during class time unless given permission. Disappearance from class will be counted as a full or partial absence.
Should you miss class for any reason, you are responsible for gathering missed material, making up assignments, and getting back on track with the class. You must take initiative and discuss your absence with me.

Cleanliness & community. Our classroom, shops, and labs are community studios. When working, be responsible and considerate of others. Do not leave your work unattended. Leave work areas clean. Prepare your work area so as not to mark or damage tables and walls. Dispose of waste in proper containers. Please do not eat in class. Food is not permitted in the classroom. This is a matter of safety. We will be working with solder which contains metals that should NOT be in proximity to food (eating and soldering are a bad combination). You may have a drink with lid (such as a bottle of water, coffee, etc.), but be careful where you place it. Spills happen. Mind your belongings. Do a second check before you leave the studio to make sure you have all of your supplies and work at the end of the day. Clean up your area before you leave (dispose of coffee cups, etc.).

Disability support. Disability Support Services assists RISD students who have either cognitive (learning) or physical disabilities. If you believe that you have a physical or cognitive disability that may impact your academic standing and requires an accommodation, please see this link for more information: http://www.risd.edu/student-life/wellness/

GRADING

Process and product will both be evaluated together. Iteration and other strategies for asserting methodological rigor will be essential for student success. Students will be evaluated for their participation (through their work and their verbal engagement) in every studio session. Students are expected to respond to prompts provided in each assignment brief as well as those offered through in class discussion and critique.

Final grades are based on your attendance and participation, engagement with course material, contributions to discussions and critique, assignment completion, and a final project.

Please note that in order to receive credit toward completion of the CTC Concentration you must earn a B- or above.

Final grade calculation

Factor                 Percentage

Attendance             10%

Participation          10%

Documentation          10%

Assignment #1          10%

Assignment #2          10%

Assignment #3          10%

Assignment #4          10%

Final Project Proposal  5%

Final Project          25%

Final grades are based on your attendance, participation, work-in-progress, the completion of assignments, and a final project. There are two times during the semester when you will receive a grade via WebAdvisor, at the Midterm and for your Final. A Midterm grade is either an S for satisfactory or a U for unsatisfactory. If receiving a U, you will get a report as to why this grade has been assigned. An automatic U will be given if absences or tardiness occur in the first half of the semester.

Be aware that completing all assignments on time and having perfect attendance is expected and only assures you of a passing grade. In order for you to earn high grades, it will require intense commitment to your work. Experiment, work diligently, and make progress.

In terms of assignment grading, there are several factors taken into consideration:

Response to the guidelines and goals of assignments, including bridging to personal concepts (20%)
Troubleshooting, experimentation, and going beyond minimum requirements (20%)
Effort, technique, craft, and care for your work’s presentation (20%)
Consideration of critique. Demonstrated technical and conceptual progress (20%)
Meeting deadlines, submitting work properly and on time (20%)

Assignment grading scale

Letter  Percentage  Scale    Note

A       ≥ 90%       4.00     Excellent

A-      ≥ 85%       3.70     Excellent

B+      ≥ 80%       3.30     Good

B       ≥ 75%       3.00     Good

B-      ≥ 70%       2.70     Good

C+      ≥ 65%       2.30     Satisfactory

C       ≥ 60%       2.00     Satisfactory

C-      ≥ 55%       1.70     Satisfactory

D+      ≥ 50%       1.30     Below average

D       ≥ 45%       1.00     Below average

F       ≤ 45%       0.00     Not sufficient

I       ≤ 45%       0.00     Incomplete

MATERIALS & RESOURCES

Spatial Audio Studio. The spatial audio studio (M11, 15 West Mezzanine) is a purpose-built, acoustically treated room featuring a 25.4 channel sound system and a flexible seminar area with additional audiovisual support. The sound system consists of an array of 25 independently-addressable, full-range speakers in a hemisphere configuration, accompanied by 4 subwoofers. The primary way of working with the array is through audio programming languages and digital audio software. A central computer workstation joined with audio network interfaces provides connectivity throughout the room, I/O expansion, and the main interface for composition, design, and performance. A variety of spatial audio techniques are supported, including high order ambisonics, vector-based amplitude panning, multichannel surround, and 3D audio for immersive media.

More information available at: https://sound.risd.edu

Computer programs. Max will be the common languages for all course participants. A 30-day demo license of Max 8 is available for free via Cycling ’74, and you can purchase a monthly subscription for $9.99. Academic licenses are available at significant discounts as well: a yearly academic subscription is only $59, while a full purchase of an academic license is available for $250.

Download / purchase Max 8 at: http://cycling74.com/downloads

Laptop and headphones. You will need a laptop in order to conduct work in this course. All software is available for Mac and Windows platforms. You should also plan to bring a pair of headphones for in-class work sessions.

Texts. Readings will be assigned throughout the session to augment lessons. These will be available on the course website.

Optional (mileage may vary):

Off-the-shelf USB MIDI keyboards & control surfaces
USB human interface devices: mice, gamepads, etc.

CLASS SCHEDULE

Provisional, summarized schedule. Updates and further details will be posted on course website and announced in class.

Week 1: Introduction to Max / Jitter

FRIDAY 1/3

Discussion: What is Max? Examples of work made using Max.
Workshop: Introduction to Max / Jitter
Homework: Complete Project 1, Ernst and Cipriani / Giri readings

Week 2: Sound Fundamentals

THURSDAY 1/9

Critique: Project 1: Memory and the Archive
Readings Due: Wolfgang Ernst – Dynamic Media Memories, Alessandro Cipriani + Maurizio Giri – Frequency, Amplitude and Waveform
Workshop: MSP + Digital Audio Basics
Homework: Holmes reading

FRIDAY 1/10

Reading Due: Thom Holmes – Process Music
Workshop: Synthesis + Spatial Audio Studio Fundamentals
Discussion: Selected text scores, listening exercises
Homework: Complete Project 2, Meadows reading

Week 3: Audiovisual Interaction

WEDNESDAY 1/15

Critique: Project 2: The Sonic Event
Reading Due: Donella Meadows – Dancing with Systems
Workshop: Data Shaping + Manipulation
Homework: Cox, Lucier readings

THURSDAY 1/16

Readings Due: Christoph Cox – Lost in Translation, Alvin Lucier – Seeing Sound
Workshop: Sound, Automation + Trickery
Homework: Kane reading

FRIDAY 1/17

Reading Due: Carolyn Kane –The Electric “Now Indigo Blue”: Synthetic Color and Video Synthesis Circa 1969
Workshop: Advanced Max / Jitter Techniques
Screening: 100% Synthetic
Homework: Complete Project 3

Week 4: Systems and Errors

THURSDAY 1/23

Critique: Project 3: Son et Lumière
Reading Due: Rosa Menkman – A Technological Approach to Noise
Workshop: Advanced Max / Jitter Techniques
Homework: Parikka reading

FRIDAY 1/24

Reading Due: Jussi Parikka – Mapping Noise and Accidents
Workshop: The Third Dimension and Beyond
Homework: Zummer reading

Week 5: Final Projects

WEDNESDAY 1/29

Critique: Project 4: Fail, Fail Again
Reading Due: Thomas Zummer – Projection and Dis/embodiment
Workshop: Multi-Screen, Computer Vision + More

THURSDAY 1/30

Workshop: Managing Complexity
Discussion: Final Project Proposals

FRIDAY 1/31

Workshop: Final Project Work Time
Discussion: Final Project Previews

Week 6: Final Critiques

THURSDAY 2/6

Critique: Final Projects

SUNDAY 2/9

Documentation: Due via Google Drive by 11:59pm