ARTS 449: Advanced Seminar in New Media
Spring 2019, University of Illinois
Wednesdays 1-3:40pm, 131 Flagg Hall
Instructor: Ben Grosser
Overview:
This seminar has two primary purposes: 1) to help students think critically about new media through an introduction to and consideration of key concepts in the field, and 2) to facilitate the production of individual research and new media artworks. While we will primarily approach new media from the perspective of contemporary artistic production, the range of specializations and potential professional practices is extremely broad and diverse. Through the course, we will develop an understanding of languages, histories, and theories that link current practices with those from the past. This will involve a combination of historical, theoretical, and practical investigations into what can constitute a professional engagement with new media art. These investigations will inform each student’s research about their own practice, allowing them to situate that practice within the larger field. For students with junior standing, that research, writing, and prototyping will prepare them for the senior year in terms of presentation, and production. Graduating seniors will produce a major work for the BFA exhibition, an artist statement, a website, and an artist presentation.
Fabien Mousse