Description

The web browser is a blank canvas, through code we can conjure up any kind of preexisting and not yet invented screen based media. It is also an art studio, equipped with tools for making hypertext, interactive video, 2D and 3D animation, electronic music, sound sampling and synthesis, mixed reality (AR/VR), artificial intelligence and so much more. The browser is also a place to share our work, collaborate with others and explore all manner of interesting cultural activity. In this course we will produce Artware (software art) for any kind of Internet connected device (mobile phones, laptops, VR headsets, Raspberry Pi, IoT, etc) by learning to code in the Internet's de facto programming language: JavaScript. We will be examining (through screenings, readings and interaction) the work of artists, designers and developers who both celebrate and criticize the promises and perils of our digital age. We will chat with alumni working professionally as Internet artists and creative technologists, through virtual visits as well as physical trips to local creative development agencies like IDEO and Digital Kitchen. The first part of the semester will be spent working on individual experiments as we learn the basics of Internet programming. Students will then conceive and pitch project concepts to each other, before spending the later part of the semester collaborating on open-source artware leveraging the same tools (git, GitHub) and processes (Agile, Scrum) used by professionals. We will learn how to properly document and present software projects online as well as how to maintain a professional creative code portfolio. We will also learn to use libraries/APIs (for virtual reality, artificial intelligence, hypermedia, etc) pertaining to the specific type of project we choose to work on.

Course Description

Internet Artware explores the dynamic intersection between the Internet network, aesthetics, cultural production, and professional web practices. This course delves into the realm of Creative Technologists—artists with technical expertise who contribute to various fields, including art, media, web design, and advertising. By examining their practices, students will create their own Internet Art using standardized web technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, which are foundational tools for web development across multiple devices.

The course also incorporates discussions on code and algorithms, informed by contemporary thinkers and artists, through the lenses of queer, black, abolitionist, and intersectional feminist consciousness. Recognizing the fluid nature of software, students will engage with a blend of handcrafted and AI-assisted coding, low-fidelity imagery, 3D web, and NFTs. The course culminates in a collaborative website hosting an online exhibition of student works.

Learning Goals

- Develop a foundational understanding of the Internet and the Web from a technical perspective.

- Gain proficiency in HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to create and publish Internet art.

- Establish a professional web presence via a GitHub profile showcasing contributions to open-source projects.

Class Materials

- A computer (desktop or laptop) with 8-16GB RAM and a modern web browser (Firefox, Brave, or Chrome).

- No additional materials required; all readings and videos will be provided on Canvas.

- Students must create a free GitHub profile and sign up for the GitHub Student Developer Pack.

Engagement, Participation, and Evaluation

Active engagement and participation are crucial. Students are expected to attend all classes, participate in discussions, and complete assignments, which include:

- Weekly creative coding sketches and other assignments submitted via Canvas.

- Participation in class critiques of the final project, which will be case-dependent and discussed individually.

Attendance Policy

Students must attend all classes on time. Arriving more than 15 minutes late or leaving early counts as a half absence. Absences should only occur for reasonable causes, communicated prior to the class. Missing more than three classes will result in failing the course.

Important Dates:

- Add/Drop deadline: Feb 7

- Withdrawal deadline: March 27

Weekly Breakdown

Week 1: Introduction

- Introduction to the course, resources, and initial assignments.

Week 2: All Kinds of Webs

- Exploration of different web contexts and HTML basics.

Week 3: Interfaces

- Study of web interfaces and beginning CSS.

Week 4: Infrastructures

- Discussion of web infrastructures and JavaScript basics.

Week 5: Poems

- Creative coding with a focus on poetic expression and command line usage.

Week 6: AI: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

- Examination of AI in web development and creative practices.

Week 7: The Wood Wide Web

- Investigating natural networks and advanced CSS/JavaScript techniques.

Week 8: Dear Data

- Data visualization and positioning elements on a grid.

Week 9: The Pitch

- Pitching project ideas and refining concepts.

Week 10: Workshop

- Practical workshops and project development.

Week 11: Community & AI

- Focus on community-driven AI projects and ethical considerations.

Week 12: Not beyond, not before, but outside

- Exploring unconventional mapping and annotation practices.

Finals

- Final project presentations and critiques.

Final Project

Students will develop a final project, which will be discussed and critiqued in class. The project will be showcased in the collaborative online exhibition.

This structure provides a comprehensive overview of the course, ensuring students are well-prepared to engage with Internet Art and web technologies creatively and critically.

Final projects of the students as a web: internetartware.online