Computer Music II: Sound Art

Music G6611
Tuesday 5:10-8pm
Spring 2006
Professor: Douglas Repetto [douglas at music columbia edu]
TA: Daniel Iglesia [dei2101 at columbia edu]
Our Motto: "Why, then how."
syllabus | schedule




Thanks for a great class! Some pics from the final project presentations are here: final projects




Computer Music II: Sound Art

This term we'll cover a wide range of works, ideas, and practices relating to a very broad conception of "sound art", with a particular focus on physical (as opposed to purely digital) aspects. It's a fun class; you'll have a fair amount of work to do, but it will mostly be casual, creative work on topics that you choose.

N.B.: This is not a class about learning to use software or hardware tools. You are expected to either have some experience with your tools or be willing to learn how to use them outside of class. Most students in CMII should have already taken Basic Electroacoustics (or something similar), which focuses on basic computer music tools, theory, and techniques. You are encouraged to experiment and to learn new ways of working in this class; just keep in mind that while the CMC can provide access to tools, learning to use them is your responsibility.

The Class

There are three main components to the class: discussions, student research, and student works.

Discussions cover historical and contemporary uses of sound art in numerous disciplines, forms, styles, and movements, and the work of individual artists. Numerous short readings will be assigned to accompany the discussions.

Student research involves brief reports on student-selected topics related to the discussions. Student works are art projects proposed and/or created by individual students or collaborative groups based on a "commission" model that will be explained in class.

We will also have visits from a number of guest artists during the term.

Typical class discussion topics include:

basic electronics
bio-art
circuit bending
data sonification
environmental sensing
field recording
human-computer interaction
kinetics
robotics
sound sculpture
and so on. The schedule is kept fairly flexible to accommodate student interests.

The Schedule

The class meets once a week, and each week we alternate between lectures and student presentations. That means that you'll do a presentation of either your research or your art work every other week. The online lecture notes/schedule are here.

The Grades

Grading is as follows:

attendance: 25%
assignments: 25%
midterm project: 25%
final project: 25%

Come to class, do the assignments, do the two projects, and you have an A. Don't do all of that, and you don't have an A. Grading is purely mechanical, and does not involve the evaluation of your work.

This grading policy is designed to encourage you to stretch out and take chances with your work, as the "success" of your pieces is not related to your grade in the class.

The Studio Access

Taking this class gives you access to the equipment in 313 Prentis and 803 Dodge. To reserve a machine use the signup sheet at:

http://music.columbia.edu/cmc/signup

The username and password will be given to you on the first day of class. You may do your work anywhere you like and use whatever tools you want. You are not required to use any particular software, hardware, techniques, equipment, etc. However, you will need to present your work regularly in class, so take that into consideration when deciding how and where to do your work.

The End

(Have some fun!)