Please note! Course description is confirmed for two academic years, which means that in general, e.g. Learning outcomes, assessment methods and key content stays unchanged. However, via course syllabus, it is possible to specify or change the course execution in each realization of the course, such as how the contact sessions are organized, assessment methods weighted or materials used.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

On succesful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  • Summarize and outline historical and contemporary examples of interaction in new media art.
  • Identify and exemplify the aesthetics of interaction in new media art.
  • Recognize the opportunities and challenges of working as a new media artist in the Finnish art scene.
  • Work in a team to produce a public exhibition.
  • Develop a project proposal for an interactive artwork.
  • Implement their theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills acquired during their studies towards a more polished end result.
  • Create an interactive artwork that will be exhibited in a gallery or other public venue.

Credits: 6

Schedule: 20.02.2021 - 28.02.2021

Teacher in charge (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022): Matti Niinimäki

Teacher in charge (applies in this implementation): Matti Niinimäki

Contact information for the course (applies in this implementation):

CEFR level (applies in this implementation):

Language of instruction and studies (valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022):

Teaching language: English

Languages of study attainment: English

CONTENT, ASSESSMENT AND WORKLOAD

Content
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    This course is an advanced course spanning over multiple teaching periods for MA in New Media students, who wish to implement their theoretical knowledge and hands-on skills acquired during their studies towards a more polished new media artwork. The students work as a group to produce an exhibition at the end of the course.

    Specifically, Interactive Art offers technical and artistic tutoring for thesis works that are related to interactive art or new media art. The course provides the opportunity for students to exhibit their thesis work to fellow students, academic staff, and the general public.

Assessment Methods and Criteria
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Each student participates in creating an artwork—either individually or in a small group—for an exhibition at the end of the course. The progress of each student will be evaluated in three stages:

    • Project Proposal: the student presents the proposal in class and submits a more detailed plan.
    • Work-In-Progress: a WIP version of the artwork.
    • Final Artwork and Documentation: the artwork should be exhibited in an exhibition at the end of the course and documented with photographs and video.

    Division of Credits 6–12 ECTS

    This course has a range of credits that will be given according to the following guidelines.

    • 6 ECTS
      • Taking part in the lectures and discussions
      • Delivering the project proposal.
      • Delivering the WIP version.
      • For students who are working on their MA Thesis in the class: Exhibiting a final artwork in the exhibition and delivering basic documentation (as the rest of the credits will come from the thesis itself).
    • 9 ECTS
      • Taking part in the lectures and discussions
      • Delivering the project proposal.
      • Delivering the WIP version.
      • Exhibiting a final artwork that is not part of their MA Thesis in the exhibition.
      • Delivering basic documentation.
    • 9–12 ECTS – Additional credits up to 12 ECTS total for the course will be given to students who:
      • create an artwork where the actual workload is beyond the 9 ECTS.
      • deliver extensive documentation of the work.
      • take additional roles and responsibilities in the production of the exhibition, such as graphic design, web design or other production tasks.

Workload
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    The workload depends on the scale of the student's artistic work. Please see the Assessment Methods and Criteria for more information about the varying credit range.

    • 6–12 ECTS
    • 160–320 h
    • Lectures, demonstrations, seminars: 48 h
    • Tutoring: 12 h
    • Independent work: 100–260 h

DETAILS

Study Material
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    • Kwastek, Katja. Aesthetics of Interaction in Digital Art. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2015.
    • Other materials will be provided during the course

Prerequisites
  • Valid 01.08.2020-31.07.2022:

    Required:

    • Introduction to Media Art and Culture
    • Introduction to Creative Coding
    • Introduction to Workshops and Studio Facilities
    • Electronics for Artists
    • Embodied Interaction
    • Audiovisual Studio
    • Or equivalent skills and knowledge
    • The student should have completed the first academic year of their MA in New Media studies

    Recommended to take some or all of the courses below before attending:

    • Digital Fabrication I–III
    • Digital Fabrication Studio
    • Archaeology of Media Infrastructures
    • Media and the Environment