Educational and Inspiring Online Masterclasses in New Media Art
Published: 03.03.2021
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To nurture creative and research-oriented curiosity, the Art Research Laboratory of Liepāja University, MPLab, is organising online masterclasses on a range of unique topics—laser scanning, photogrammetry, sound art and creative coding. The masterclasses are intended for everyone, including those without prior knowledge.
New media art should not be viewed as a set of skills intended for a limited circle of enthusiasts. Although the terms may initially seem complicated, these skills are accessible, can be learned and can be used by anyone. In the current situation, the online masterclasses will stimulate the mind, enabling participants to acquire a new hobby or new skills for achieving creative goals.
The first lecture will take place on 3 March from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. During the intensive two-hour masterclass, participants will learn the basics of laser scanning and techniques for using this versatile technology, which is widely applied in various fields, to create works of art. The masterclass will be taught by Professor Žilvinas Lilas (LT/DE), who has many years of experience both as a lecturer and in working with laser-scanning technologies. The masterclass will explain the principles of laser scanning and demonstrate ways to apply it in practice when creating 3D images and animations.
The second masterclass will take place on 17 March (the time remains unchanged: 6:30–8:30 p.m.). Its topic will be photogrammetry and the incorporation of models obtained using this technique into web pages and applications (using WebGL and A-Frame). Photogrammetry makes it possible to “scan” real objects so that they can be used in various 3D environments. Even for those who are not interested in different 3D environments or game development, photogrammetry skills make it possible to preserve memories and objects in a new way—similarly to photography and video. The masterclass will be taught by artist Alvis Misjuns, who has created both a 3D model of the Art Academy of Latvia that can be explored online and a model of a traditional Latvian farmstead by digitising an exhibit from the Latvian Ethnographic Open-Air Museum, as well as his own 3D portraits.
The series of masterclasses will continue in April and May. They will be led by three female artists—Shelly Knotts (UK), Alexandra Cardenas (CO/DE) and Oliva Jack (US). The aim of these masterclasses is not only to introduce participants to sound-making techniques that are readily accessible in isolation (requiring only a computer, rather than a specialised sound studio), but also to change stereotypes of sound art and programming as male professions, thereby encouraging emerging female sound and media artists to try these effective open-access technologies. Importantly, if participants learn creative coding, they will not be dependent on commercial software manufacturers and will be able to develop their own unique means of digital artistic expression.
“Update. Hybrid Lab” is intended for students, artists, researchers, educators and others interested in art and technology. All events will be free of charge and available to watch online in real time; participants will also be able to take part in discussions with the lecturers and refresh their knowledge by watching recordings of the lectures in the archive.
The new media art week “Update. Hybrid Lab” is organised by the Art Research Laboratory of Liepāja University (MPLab, mplab.lv) in cooperation with the association ASTE. Art, Science, Technology, Education (aste.gallery) and the new media culture centre RIXC (rixc.org).
The new media art week “Update. Hybrid Lab” has been created with the support of the European Union’s Creative Europe programme as part of the project “GREEN Revisited. Encountering Emerging Naturecultures”.
Information prepared by:
M. Demitere
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