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The Role of Art in Technological Innovation

Department: The Role of Art in Technological Innovation                      
Instructors: Doreen Rios
Instructor's Email: driosquijano@ucsd.edu
Prerequisites: None
Dates: July 7 - July 27

Course Description

Have you ever wondered about the relationship between art and technology? In recent years we’ve seen
plenty of artistic practices that actively use tools such as AI, the Internet, computers, VR, and more.
However, as new as these explorations may feel, there’s a rich and very interesting story behind these
practices. This course explores the relationship between art and technological innovation through time
while focusing on case studies from various geographies. We will explore basic concepts of artistic
practices that have actively used technology throughout time highlighting the way in which these
practices have critically responded to technological advancements of their time.
This course is an introduction to the world of art and technology focusing on the importance of critical
thinking, creativity, and speculation.

Learning Outcomes

  • Develop a comprehensive understanding of key concepts surrounding artistic practices that
    actively engage with the use of technology.
  • Gain insight into diverse critical perspectives around critical thinking, creativity, and speculation
    and its role in art.
  • Explore case studies from diverse geographies and understand the similarities and differences
    between them.
  • Analyze the role of art in critically responding to technological advancements.

Course Topics

  1. Introduction to art and its relationship with technology
    1. Key concepts of art and technology relationship
      1. What do we mean by art?
      2. What do we mean by technology
      3. The difference between new media art, media art, electronic art, and digital art
      4. A brief story of art and technology
  2. Case studies through time
    1. Cybernetic Serendipity at Institute of Contemporary Art London curated by Jasia Reichardt
    2. artport at Whitney Museum of American Art curated by Christiane Paul
    3. Cyberlounge at Museo Tamayo curated by Arcángelo Constantini
    4. Electronic Superhighway (2016-1966) at Whitechapel Gallery curated by Omar Kholeif
  3. Art, technology, and society
    1. Critical perspectives on technology
      1. Accessibility, diversity, and bias
      2. Tactical Media and radical collectiveness
      3. Environmental awareness and technological disobedience
      4. Collaborating with non-human intelligences
        Speculating about caring futures

Prerequisites

N/A

*Courses vary by experience and exposure to content. Instructors have the ability to change content and pace to serve the needs of students. Courses have been modified for online teaching.