WHAT
Working in the same collaborative groups, you will create a multimedia installation that engages with the theoretical perspectives we have studied. Your artistic and/or critical project should exemplify and problematize, reveal the possibilities and limitations of, one or two of the key concepts we’ve covered so far. Your work will be site-specific to the Granoff Center's "living room" spaces and include a single-channel audio-visual component, a component that can be accessed via smartphone, and signage or other optional physical parts. Keep in mind that this is not a production course, and your project doesn't have to be technically ambitious to succeed. You will be evaluated based on your incorporation of course material, the originality of your critical approach, and the effectiveness of its presentation in the medium.
WHY
The goals of this assignment are to:
- continue to learn and mobilize technical and formal aspects of digital multimedia
- continue to explore strategies for communicating ideas creatively and multimodally
- further master theoretical concepts through direct engagement
- think through possible relationships between media objects and physical space
- share concepts and methods from our class with the larger Granoff Center community
WHEN
.single-channel materials (before Thanksgiving break) On Monday, November 21 your group will turn in the video you will have projected (mpeg4 format on a DVD or SD card). You should also prepare a sign (8.5x11 paper is fine) with the title and information about your artwork.
.installation (after Thanksgiving break) During our lab on November 29, we will be posting your signs and doing any other setup in the living room spaces. The projects will go "live" on November 30 and be up through the end of the semester.
HOW
.planning
You should touch base with your group soon to strategize and get in contact. Discuss your respective skills and talents and your goals for working together. You can start brainstorming ideas to work toward settling on a topic and approach. You can meet in person and/or converse virtually (by email, IM, messages or discussion on the course website, Google docs, etc.). After these issues are hammered out by the members of the group, you then might like to divide up specific tasks for further work and/or decide how to negotiate between the contributions provided by each member.
.physical space
The only required material object is a sign with the title and information about your project. You may create a traditional artwork placard or something more elaborate (the page from our multimedia workshop has some image design resources). Optionally, you may also place other physical elements in the "living room" space, with the caveat that building security cannot guarantee that valuable items won't be stolen. You may not remove the existing furniture unless you speak to Greg in advance to arrange it.
.audiovisual component
You will create a video to loop on the wall above one of the "living rooms." These play off DVD players provided by the Granoff Center (hooked up to a floor box and usually tucked under a chair or table). Including audio in your piece is optional – keep in mind that it may be difficult to hear detailed information in public space.
.mobile component
The interactive component of your installation can be anything viewers can access on a smartphone. You can assume they have a web browser, maps, and other popular apps like Facebook or Yelp. You may invite the audience to interact within the video itself, through information provided on your placard, and/or via another physical object that you provide. This could involve simply providing a URL or QR code or directing them to perform a particular task.
For any of the components, you may write/design/produce original material; appropriate and transform existing material from course texts, web pages, popular culture, etc.; or both. We're assuming that use of copyrighted elements is considered "fair use" (but please cite your sources).
You can find more resources and suggestions in the How To post.
EVALUATION
Your project should demonstrate an analytical synthesis of course concepts through a coherent collaborative artwork. Consider how the different components (video, mobile interactivity, physical space) will interface with each other and how passerby on the stairs will be engaged as viewers/users. There is no class presentation of this assignment since we'll all have the opportunity to experience your work in the building. A grading rubric (to be provided) will detail criteria for assessment, with 1/3 of the credit based on your critical approach, 1/3 on your audiovisual components and 1/3 on your physical/interactive components.
