…the concept of nature has at once regained its full importance and become so destabilized as to raise anew the question of its viability as a discursive category. In an attempt to introduce difference into practice that informs the theorizing of nature…a space is thus opened up here, in which reflections on nature necessarily shuttle between the arbitrary reality of the sign (word as word) and the multiple realities it speaks to or represents...
Minha, Trinh T. “Nature’s r: a musical swoon.” Future Natural: nature science, culture. 1996: p. 87.
The manipulation of nature spans a scale that is so intense and at the same time ubiquitous that we often see the manifestations in the food we eat and the land we move through, but lack the language or the means to recognize and respond. We live in a state and attend a land grant institution where the use of technology to transform nature is almost mandated and has become part of the mythology and identity of this place. In this seminar we examine the relationship between nature and technology as a potential for expanding our art practice in terms of content as well as methodology. We will interface with landscapes on both a macro and micro level conducting experiments and interventions with our surroundings as scientists, gardeners, and explorers with the intention of developing strategies that inform our work/projects. This class encourages you to look for the connections between your own work and biology, medicine, computer science, critical theory, anthropology, and natural resources. We will read selections by Marx, deCerteau, Hayles, Mitchell, Solnit, Harroway, Virilio, Jackson and Minha to name a few. Class format will consist of discussion, collaboration, group critique as well as studio visits/individual meetings. In this class you will be required to read, make work and engage physically with the environment and each other.
Students will demonstrate understanding of the following principles and techniques through studio assignments:
WEEKS 1-4 historical basis for techno/nature/art, technology as a means to abstract nature, purveyor of nature exprience, infrastucture, essentializer
WEEKS 5-6 manipulation and visualization of nature on micrscopic level, nature as machine, nature as program
WEEKS 7-9 categorization and classification
WEEKS 10-12 hybrids and cyborgs
WEEKS 13-14 networks, systems, mapping, corporate and military connection
WEEKS 15-16 final projects and critiques
Note: Many of these topics are interconnected so the temporal deliniations are somewhat artificial
Please sign up for the Leonardo Electronic Almanac Discussion (LEAD): Vol 14 No 8_Wild Nature and the Digital Life LEAdigiwild@googlegroups.com
Readings will either be handouts of chapters and articles or .pdfs which will be on the website
analog and digital means to make art
This class requires a certain amount of mobility. Please let me know beforehand on an individual basis if you are not physically able to do or complete an assignment. Caveat: I nor the University of Florida is responsible for risky behavior that you choose to do in the name of exploration. If we do a group activity that requires me to have you sign a release form that is one thing, but what you do to personally complete an assignment is your risk and responsibility.
The purpose of grading is to clearly and accurately pinpoint the strengths and weaknesses of your progress. You will receive grades on all assignments and receive a progress report and meet with me individually at midterm. This report will evaluate progress, note strengths and areas for improvement. Your overall grade will be based on your understanding of the information and ideas discussed, and your formal, technical, and conceptual progress as demonstrated in projects and exercises, and professionalism during the course.
Students will be evaluated through exercises, participation, research, presentations, and technical proficiency with the various software applications, their aesthetic application, and problem solving.
A 100–90: superior work, all criteria have been surpassed in a distinguished manner
B+ 89-86: very good work, all criteria have been surpassed
B 85-80: above average work
C+ 79-76: adequate, average work
C 75-70D+ 69-66: barely meeting criteria
D 65-60
E 59–0: failure to meet criteria
Work that is late will be graded one letter grade down for each day after the deadline of the assignment.
This class is very experiential and experimental in nature. We will do a lot of in class activities for which you will get credit. Many of these activites can not be "made up" outside of class. You will miss out on a great deal if you do not come. There is a correlation in studio classes between attendance and final grades. You have a better chance of doing well if you come to class. Only three (3) unexcused absences will be allowed. Every unexcused absence beyond this will lower your grade by a letter grade. A total of seven absences, excused or unexcused, will result in a grade of “E” for the class. Excused absences include religious holidays, a verifiable death in the immediate family or with a doctor’s note.
Participation by all members is critical to the success of this class. Excellent
participation is a given and includes contributing to ongoing discussions and
critiques, suggests alternative ways
of approaching projects, along with a
thoughtful process and strong work ethic. Participation is evaluated with respect to both quality and quantity.
I will take attendance at the beginning of each class. If you are not present at that time, you will be marked as absent unless you see me at the end of class letting me know that you came so I can correct my attendance sheet. You are expected to stay for the entire class period. I generally check to see who is around after the break. If you leave, your attendance will be recorded as late. Three late marks count as an unexcused absence. If you know that you will be late or absent, please let me know in advance by contacting me at kgladdys@ufl.edu. Both lateness and absence will also have an effect on your participation grade.
The four major projects for this class need to be completed on time. If you turn a project after the deadline, 10% will be deducted for each day the project is late. Assignments that are 10 points or less may not be made up unless you have an excused absence or have contacted me in advance. If you arrive late and miss the better part of an in class assignment, you are welcome to do the assignment on your own time, but I will not give credit for it. It is not fair to the students who were on time.
If you are having difficulties for any reason in understanding the material and completing the work for this class, you need to make an appointment to meet and talk with me. Do not wait until the last minute (right before an assignment is due) or until you are totally lost to contact me.
This class is held in the lab so their is no food and drink.
I want this class to be fun and meaningful with everybody feeling comfortable to contribute to the dialogue. This is how we learn. Effective learning/teaching is a creative and co-constructed experience with give and take between teacher and student and between student and student. Key to facilitating an environment for learning is respect. Disruptive and disrepective behavior make for stressful atmosphere which is not conducive to learning. Please observe the following class policies.
This resource covers most policies and procedures important to students - http://www.dso.ufl.edu/stg/
Students requesting classroom accommodation must first register with the Dean
of Students Office. The Dean of Students Office will provide documentation
to the student who must then provide this documentation to the Instructor when
requesting accommodation. Disability Office -– http://www.dso.ufl.edu/OSD/
Includes personal, academic, crisis and career services. Dial 392-1575.
http://www.counsel.ufl.edu/
Dial 911 for medical emergencies.
Dial 392-1161 for urgent after-hours medical questions.
Dial 392-1171 for after-hours mental health assistance.
http://www.health.ufl.edu/shcc/
University Police Department - http://police.ufl.edu/
Dial 911 for emergencies.
Dial 392-1111 otherwise.
The two days prior to the start of examinations in the fall and spring semesters, generally a Thursday and Friday, are designated reading days. No classes or exams are held on these days. Instead, students are encouraged to use these days for study and review.
Students who participate in official athletic or scholastic, extracurricular activities are permitted twelve (12) scholastic day absences per semester without penalty. In any case, it is the student’s responsibility to maintain satisfactory academic performance and attendance.
Students, upon prior notification of their instructions, shall be excused from class or other scheduled academic activity to observe a religious holy day of their faith. Students shall be permitted a reasonable amount of time to make up the material or activities covered in their absence. A student who believes that he/she has been unreasonably denied an education benefit due to religious beliefs or practices may seek redress through the student grievance procedure.
An academic honesty offense is defined as the act of lying, cheating or stealing academic information so that one gains academic advantage. As a University of Florida student, one is expected to neither commit nor assist another in committing an academic honesty violation. Additionally, it is the student’s duty to report observed academic honesty violations. These can include: cheating, plagiarism, bribery, misrepresentation, conspiracy, or fabrication.
http://www.dso.ufl.edu/judicial/academichonestystudent.html
All faculty, staff, and students of the University of Florida are required and expected to obey the laws and legal agreements governing software use. Failure to do so can lead to monetary damages and/or criminal penalties for the individual violator. Because such violations are also against University policies and rules, disciplinary action will be taken as appropriate.
http://www.circa.ufl.edu/computers/
http://www.cio.ufl.edu/aupolicy.htm
Faculty, students, Administrative and Professional staff members, and other employees [hereinafter referred to as “member(s)” of the University], who intentionally act to impair, interfere with, or obstruct the mission, purposes, order, operations, processes, and functions of the University shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action by University authorities for misconduct, as set forth in the applicable rules of the Board of Regents and the University and state law governing such actions. A detailed list of disruptive conduct may be found at http://www.aa.ufl.edu/aa/Rules/1008.htm
Be advised that you can and will be dismissed from class if you engage in disruptive behavior.
http://www.reg.ufl.edu/dates-critical.html