A Hackers Toolbox: Electronics for Artists & Designers

Ulrich Formann
Institute of Art and Technology, Coding Lab
2024W, Vorlesung und Übungen (VU), 2.0 ECTS, 2.0 semester hours, course number S04921

Description

As constant evolution drives both the production and consumption of new electronic devices, mountains of so-called “e-waste” are growing at the same rate. What some might consider obsolete technology or even trash has the potential to be an artistic playground full of nostalgia and free resources.

This course is designed for both artists and designers with or without prior technological knowledge. We will look at the issue of “e-waste” and how it can be used as an artistic tool and discuss current art practices that deal with this matter. Through hands-on examples we will explore extinct dot-matrix and thermal printers once used in offices and at checkout counters around the world.

Through disassembling, analysing and repairing ancient technologies, we’ll engage with the practice of hacking as form of technological emancipation from a single-use throwaway society. Participants will visit several university facilities that specialise in supporting student projects involving programming or electronics. Together, we’ll fill your toolbox with of resources and knowledge that will open up the mysterious electronic realm.

 

Examination Modalities

 

  • Regular attendance
  • Completion of given tasks
  • Engagement in discussions

Key Words

installation, sound sculpture, media installation, computer graphics, software, interactive art, media art, electronic media

Dates

06 November 2024, 09:00–12:00
12 November 2024, 09:00–12:00
26 November 2024, 09:00–12:00
03 December 2024, 09:00–12:00
17 December 2024, 09:00–12:00
07 January 2025, 09:00–12:00

Course Enrolment

From 26 August 2024, 00:00
Via online registration

TransArts - Transdisciplinary Arts (Bachelor): Artistic and art technology foundations: Artistic and art technology foundations 180/002.01

Experimental Game Cultures (Master): Free Electives: Free Electives 536/080.80

Media Arts: Specialisation in Transmedia Arts (2. Section): Materialität und Medien: Fertigungstechniken für Installationen - Projektarbeiten 566/204.08

Media Arts: Specialisation in Digital Arts (2. Section): Künstlerische Methodik und Technologie digitaler Kunst: Fertigungstechniken für Ausstellungen - Projektarbeiten 567/202.18

Studies in Art and Culture (Master): Free Electives: Free Electives 568/080.80

Cross-Disciplinary Strategies (Master): Study Areas 1-3: Study Area 2: Science and Technology 569/020.02

Design: Specialisation in Design and Narrative Media (1. Section): Technological Fundamentals: Technology, Coding, and Programming 576/104.25

Design: Specialisation in Design and Narrative Media (2. Section): Technological Fundamentals: Technology, Coding, and Programming 576/204.25

Design: Specialisation in Communication Design (1. Section): Technical Basics: Introduction into Computer Applications 577/104.02

Industrial Design (1. Section): Transfer Techniques: Experimental Lab 580/102.20

Fine Arts (2. Section): Artistic Practice in Technical Context: Workshops 605/203.10

Fine Arts (2. Section): Artistic Practice in Technical Context: Free Electives out of Artistic Practice in Technical Context 605/203.80

Design: Specialisation in Applied Photography and Time-based Media (2. Section): Technical Basics: Applied Photography - Ways of Presentation 626/204.15

Design: Specialisation in Applied Photography and Time-based Media (2. Section): Technical Basics: Workshop-based Projects - Knowledge of Materials 626/204.20

Cross-Disciplinary Strategies (Bachelor): Science and Technology: Deepening / Application 700/002.20

Co-registration: not possible

Attending individual courses: not possible