Documents Of Record /Project Groups

DANM 250A-B-C Collaborative Research Project Groups
A three-quarter collaborative research project group in one of four focus areas that represent the current research of DANM faculty: Participatory Culture, Mechatronics, Performative Technologies, and Playable Media. Students and faculty engage in research collaborations resulting in publications and exhibitions. Enrollment restricted to graduate students.

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

Participatory Culture

DANM's Participatory Culture studies and research efforts explore the role of information and communication technologies in the current shift from "top-down" culture to a culture of participation and social engagement. Within the social register the human/computer interface acts as both a boundary and a bridge. Participatory Culture research in DANM encompasses a range of projects in social computing and community-media activism, which involve the design of new technologies to address social problems and facilitate broader participation in culture and politics.

Mechatronics

Mechatronics is the functional integration of mechanical, electronic, and information technologies. In DANM this framework is employed for the development and production of physical, systems-based artwork that incorporates elements of robotics, motion control, software engineering, and hardware design. DANM Mechatronics research involves the use of 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.

Performative Technologies

Studies and research in Performative Technologies explore new methods for combining media and technology to create the visual, aural and connective material of performance. DANM performance research generates new public and performative spaces where digital media, communication networks, and interactive systems, may be fused with lighting, movement, stage and sound design, to create real-time shared multimedia experiences for audiences and performers at remote locations. Ongoing projects in this area include work in telematics, performance-driven real-time graphics, algorithmic composition of sound and image, computer vision and motion capture, and studies of ritual, performativity, embodiment, interactivity, and subjectivity.

Playable Media

Playable Media research explores the potential of computational systems for the creation of new media forms that invite and structure play. This group works to understand and create new ways for computer games and related forms to engage audiences, make arguments, tell stories, and shape social space. Ongoing Playable Media work combines game design and artificial intelligence research with writing, art, and media authoring.