Collaborative Research

At the core of the DANM program is the pursuit of digital and new media art as a research practice in the context of collaborative research project groups. Beginning in spring of the students' first year, these groups engage in the development of faculty initiated research in Mechatronics, Participatory Culture, and Performative Technologies.

Collaborative Research Project Group Focus Areas

These three foci define both the overall research profile of the DANM program and the research that will be pursued in the collaborative research project groups. Collaborative research projects are advertised and prospective students asked to identify their preference in their application and statement of purpose. Because project groups factor into admissions, selected project group leaders make a commitment to participate in the admissions process.

Our mechatronics research explores the functional integration of mechanical, electronic, and information technologies with a variety of media including video, performance, and sculpture, for the creation of complex, kinetic, audio-visual systems for the exploration of temporality, materiality, experience and perception.

Current Mechatronics Research Projects

Spring 2007–Winter 2008: Call and Response: Hocketing for Physical Media

Project Group Wiki Page
Original Proposal

Spring 2008–Winter 2009: Methodologies in Bio-Art

Methodologies in Bio-Art: Biotechnologies and Environmentalism, Biological Metaphors and Environmental Social Activism in Artmaking

Our research in participatory culture encompasses a range of projects in social computing and community-media activism, involving the design of new technologies to address social problems and facilitate broader participation in culture and politics.

Current Participatory Culture Research Projects

Spring 2007–Winter 2008: “Digital Inclusion”: Creating Tools for Citizen Media Activists

Project Group Wiki Page
Original Proposal

Spring 2008-Winter 2009: Public Media: New Forms of Democratic Participation

Public Media: New Forms of Democratic Participation

PTmoredance.05-12-05_200.jpg
Our performative technologies research groups engage in collaborative projects that explore new methods for combining media and technology to create the visual, aural and connective material of performance.

Current Performative Technologies Research Projects

Spring 2007–Winter 2008: Performing with Digital Media

Project Group Wiki Page
Original Proposal

Spring 2008-Winter 2009: Collaborative Processes in Performance

Proposal: Performing with Digital Media

Opportunities for Fall 2008 Applicants

Spring 2009–Winter 2010

Mechatronics—This group will be led by a visiting artist in residence to be announced.

Performative Technologies—Digital Media in Live Performance—Proposal: MS Word 72KB HTML Version

Participatory Culture—Social Price Tracker—Proposal: MS Word 32KB HTML Version

Gaming—Several students will be selected to participate in a game design project group with Professors Michael Mateus and/or James Whitehead in the Game Design program at the School of Engineering.

Collaborative Research