Net.art and the Born Digital:
Internet Art Practice 1990-Present | AH 3690G/MCS 3690G/SA 3690B
Mondays 9:30am-12:30pm
Instructor: Imogen Clendinning
email: iwilso3@uwo.ca
January 12th agenda:
-> Lecture Internet History + Internet Art 1970s - 80s
-> Lab time: Introduction to HTML
Introduction
This hybrid course in Art History, Museum and Curatorial Studies, and Studio Arts combines an overview of Internet Art history from 1990-Present, and a studio-based component that encourages students to parse through the material qualities and conceptual framework of art that lives online. Beginning with a survey of net.art, Nasty Net forums, email chains and the disruptive virtual actions of artists working online in the 1990s, through to the pervasive influence of Silicon Valley and digital capitalism in contemporary Internet Art, this course will investigate how the accelerated evolution of the Internet has informed those making art online. Alongside a study of Internet Art history and contemporary practices, students will create two net-based projects. During the course, students will gain a knowledge of the history of Internet Art from 1990-present, as well as, an introduction to web coding, DIY website hosting, datamoshing and other hacker methodologies.
Screenshot of "hacking.art" website, 2022.
Learning Outcomes:
Students will gain:
-> the ability to articulate the history of Internet Art as a medium, and the ways in which The Internet has influenced postmodern and contemporary arts, including digital art, new media art and net.art from the 1970s to today.
->new technical skills in the creation of digital, new media and video art practices.
->Nuanced understanding of how the Internet and associated digital technologies have shaped the formation of artist movements and contemporary art between 1990 to present.
-> skills in the critical analysis and creation of their own digital art objects and a thorough understanding of the cultural movements, subcultures and dialogues taking place within Internet Art today.
Class structure:
-> Lectures on various themes in Internet Art history, terminology and art movements within Internet Art
-> Demonstrations and exercises in digital tools and techniques that touch on themes from our lectures and course readings
-> Discussions of assignd readings in class
-> Guest lecture with artist Cassie Packham
-> One group presentation ("net artist cosplay") and one independent presentation and critique
Upcoming agenda:
January 19th agenda:
-> Lecture on net.art 1990-2000
-> Discussion: Hito Steyerl, "In Defense of the Poor Image"
-> Lab time: More HTML including canvas