Computational Art

Recommended Prerequisites

Average knowledge of programming, multimedia and design processes

Learning Outcomes

The importance of computers in design and art is rapidly increasing. As such the designers and artists have gradually become dependent of software, tools which mold the process and, eventually, the outcome of the processes, which becomes a limitation.

In this curricular unit we explore a new approach: the one of understanding programming as a form of artistic expression. Therefore, realizing that true literacy results from the ability of "reading" and "writing", the creator is understood as a designer of computational processes, becoming able to question existing models and of fully explore the possibilities of computational media.

 

The main competencies to be developed are:

Instrumental – analysis and synthesis, problem solving

Personal – critical thinking

Systemic - practical application of the theoretical knowledge; research

 

The secondary competences are:

Instrumental – organizing and planning

Personal – work in teams

Systemic – autonomous learning; creativity

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. The computational approach

a.             The sketch in the context of computational ar

b.             Inspiration

c.             Development and exploration methodology

d.             Critical analysis

2.Processes

a.             Weaknesses and strengths of programming as a tool

b.             Focusing on processes

3.Historical perspective

4. Advanced tools for graphic, music, audio and multimedia programming

5.Mathematical models

6.Case Studies

a.             Generative Art

b.             Interactive Art

c.             Artificial Life

d.             Evolutionary Art

7.Production of art works and conceptual exploration

Head Lecturer(s)

Fernando Jorge Penousal Martins Machado

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Resolution Problems: 20.0%
Project: 80.0%

Bibliography

Casey Reas and Ben Fry. Processing: A programming Handbook for Visual Designers and Artists. MIT Press, 2007.

John Maeda. Creative Code: Aesthetics + Computation. Thames & Hudson, 2004.

Paul A. Fishwick. Aesthetic Computing. MIT Press, 2008.

Hartmut Bohnacker, Benedikt Groß, Julia Laub and Claudius Lazzeroni. Generative Gestaltung: Entwerfen. Programmieren. Visualisieren mit Processing. Verlag Hermann Schmidt Mainz, 2010.

Juan Romero, Penousal Machado (Eds.). The Art of Artificial Evolution: A Handbook on Evolutionary Art and Music. Springer, 2007.

Mitchell Whitelaw. Metacreations: Art and Artificial Life. MIT Press, 2004.

Arnheim, Rudolf. Towards a Psychology of Art/Entropy and Art - An Essay on disorder and Order. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1966.

Semir Zeki. Inner Vision: An Exploration of Art and the Brain. Oxford Unievrsity Press, 1999.

Dissanayake, Ellen. What is art for? Seattle and London: University of Washington Press, 1987