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: 11.09.2020 - 19.03.2021

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 (valid 24.08.2020-21.12.2112):

matti.niinimaki@aalto.fi

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.

  • Applies in this implementation:

    • 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

  • Applies in this implementation:

    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

  • Applies in this implementation:

    • 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

FURTHER INFORMATION

Details on the schedule
  • Applies in this implementation:

    Schedule


    Part I: Getting to Know the Topic and Each Other

    Week 1: Friday, September 11, 2020

    Introduction

    Week 2: Friday, September 18, 2020

    Aesthetics of Interaction in Digital Art

    Week 3: Friday, September 25, 2020

    1st assignment presentations (Background and Inspiration)

    Week 4: Friday, October 2, 2020

    1st assignment presentations (Background and Inspiration)

    Week 5: Friday, October 9, 2020

    TBA

    Week 6: October 13–18, 2020

    ISEA Online Conference
    Each student gets a ticket to the online ISEA 2020 conference
    http://isea2020.isea-international.org/


    Part II: Exploration, Experimentation

    Week 7: October 19–23, 2020

    Workshop week
    Interactive Art experimental studio week
    G203

    Week 8: Friday, October 30, 2020

    TBA

    Week 9: Friday, November 6, 2020

    TBA

    Week 10: Friday, November 13, 2020

    TBA

    Week 11: Friday, November 20, 2020

    TBA


    Part III: Present Your Idea

    Week 12: Friday, November 27, 2020

    Present your idea

    Week 13: Friday, December 4, 2020

    Present your idea


    Part IV: Create

    Week 14: Friday, January 15, 2021

    TBA

    Week 15: Friday, January 22, 2021

    TBA

    Week 16: Friday, January 29, 2021

    TBA

    Weeks 17–18: February 1–12, 2021

    Studio Weeks, Independent Work


    Part V: Exhibit

    Weeks 19–20: February 15–28, 2021

    Exhibition


    Part VI: Document and Debrief

    Week 21: March 5, 2021

    Exhibition Wrap-up Discussions

    Week 22: March 12, 2021

    Documentation Presentations

    Week 23: March 19, 2021

    Documentation Presentations