Coded Matter: Computational Practices
Jonas Bohatsch
Institute of Art and Technology,
Coding Lab
2026W,
Lecture with Practical Exercises
(VU),
2.0 ECTS,
2.0 semester hours,
course number S60529
Description
This course is set up as the practical counterpart to the lecture series "Analog/Digital Cultures" by Clemens Apprich: concepts such as constitution of the digital, algorithmic processes, abstraction, or the halting problem become starting points for artistic work in the Coding Lab. Available technological artefacts and systems -- programmable light surfaces, microcontrollers, sensors, electronic displays, operating systems, software environments -- set the material frame within which we experiment, iterate, and work artistically. The interest here is not only in what we can do with computation, but in what computation does, how it works and where it fails: what logic algorithmic processes follow, where they produce the unforeseen, where they withdraw from access.
Examination Modalities
Sucessfully concluding this course includes examining relevant references, developing a concept and the practical implementation of a project. Individual research supports the introduction to theoretical, artistic, or technical contexts and forms a basis for joint discussion. Projects can be carried out individually or in teams.
Comments
Designed as an accompanying course for participants of the course series Analogue/Digital Cultures by Clemens Apprich.
Programming experience is helpful but not required.
Supervision is available in German and English.
Key Words
computational, algorithmic, media art, concept art, physical computing, creative coding, microcontrollers, sensors, generative art, computation, abstraction, digital culture, software art, electronic displays, LED panels, artistic research, device art, code
Dates
Thu, 08 October 2026, 15:00–16:00
Coding Lab
(preliminary discussion)
Thu, 22 October 2026, 15:00–18:00
Coding Lab
Thu, 05 November 2026, 15:00–18:00
Coding Lab
Thu, 19 November 2026, 15:00–18:00
Coding Lab
Thu, 03 December 2026, 15:00–18:00
Coding Lab
Thu, 17 December 2026, 15:00–18:00
Coding Lab
Thu, 14 January 2027, 15:00–18:00
Coding Lab
(examination)
Course Enrolment
From 31 August 2026, 09:00 to 31 October 2026, 09:01
Via online registration
Curriculum Allocation
Transformation Studies. Art x Science (Bachelor): Focus! Transformation Areas: Digital Transformation 162/2025UBA-040.10
Transformation Studies. Art x Science (Bachelor): Focus! Transformation Areas: Media Transformation 162/2025UBA-040.50
TransArts - Transdisciplinary Arts (Bachelor): Artistic and art technology foundations: Artistic and art technology foundations 180/2025UBA-002.01
Cross-Disciplinary Strategies (Master): Study Areas 1-3: Study Area 2: Science and Technology 569/2026UMA-020.20
Design: Specialisation in Design and Narrative Media (1. Section): Technological Fundamentals: Technology, Coding, and Programming 576/2024U00-104.25
Design: Specialisation in Design and Narrative Media (2. Section): Technological Fundamentals: Technology, Coding, and Programming 576/2024U00-204.25
Design: Specialisation in Communication Design (1. Section): Technical Basics: Basics of Digital Applications 577/2025U00-104.02
Design: Specialisation in Communication Design (2. Section): Technical Basics: Design for Digital Media 577/2025U00-204.10
Industrial Design (1. Section): Transfer Techniques: Experimental Lab 580/2013U00-102.20
Fine Arts (2. Section): Artistic Practice in Technical Context: Workshops 605/2019U00-203.10
Fine Arts (2. Section): Artistic Practice in Technical Context: Free Electives out of Artistic Practice in Technical Context 605/2019U00-203.80
Design: Specialisation in Applied Photography and Time-based Media (2. Section): Technical Basics: Applied Photography - Ways of Presentation 626/2021U00-204.15
Design: Specialisation in Applied Photography and Time-based Media (2. Section): Technical Basics: Workshop-based Projects - Knowledge of Materials 626/2021U00-204.20
Cross-Disciplinary Strategies (Bachelor): Science and Technology: Deepening / Application 700/2026UBA-002.20
Art & Science (Master): Methods and Practices of Transdisciplinary Research: Practice and Theory 776/2026UMA-002.16
Co-registration: not possible
Attending individual courses: not possible