Sculpture III, Spring 2013
VIAR R3332.001 SCULPTURE III
F 10:00A-04:00P
313 Prentis Hall (125th st)
Prerequisites: Sculpture I or permission of instructor
Instructors
Jon Kessler
Visual Arts
jk342 at columbia edu
Douglas Repetto
Computer Music Center
Office: 318 Prentis
douglas at music columbia edu
TAs:
Patrice Washington [prw2113 at columbia.edu] and Pamela Council [pcc2128 at columbia.edu]
Course Description
This course explores multi-media installation art methodologies, including digital and analog
solutions for creating sound, light and mechanical components. We will use technology as a common
theme as we explore contemporary and historical multi-media artworks and learn the tools and
techniques needed to integrate the strategies into our own work. The projects are expected to have
an engagement with technology that is physical, not purely virtual. We will cover theoretical and
historical materials as well as practical, hands-on topics.
Each class meeting will be divided into two parts: classroom meetings in the morning and shop work
in the afternoon. Our classroom will be room 320H in Prentis Hall. The shops are the woodshop
(3rd floor Prentis), metal shop (5th floor Prentiss), and electronics shop (313 Prentis).
Tentative Class Schedule
Jan 25: 1960-1970: 9 Evenings, E.A.T, Osaka Pavilion; Intro to shops
Feb 01: Mechanisms; Woodshop work day
Feb 08: Wooden mechanism projects; Artificial life; Metal shop demos (Douglas gone)
Feb 15: Metal mechanism projects; Lathe & mill
Feb 22: ELECTROMAGNETISM!!!: electricity, switches, motors & power!!! (Jon gone)
March 01: Switch projects; Collaborative projects
March 08: Repurposing & reuse: Taking things apart
March 15: Sound/Light/Video
Mar 22: SPRING BREAK!
March 29: Big Improvised Sculpture!
April 05: SUPER NERD DAY!!! -- World's simplest oscillator; Arduino/Processing introduction
April 12: Art and the spectacle, early photography and film; Final project proposals
April 19: shop work day
April 26: shop work day
May 03: shop work day
May 10 (?): Final project presentations!
Physical Resources
CMC room 313 has electronics bench, basic tools & supplies for electronics, as well as lockers and
a little room for storing projects and working. It's a shared space, so it can't be insane.
Students have normal access to wood & metal shops, with monitors for non-SoA MFAs.
SHOP HOURS
Potential use of equipment (Video cameras, computers, flat screens, monitors, etc.) from the DMC.
Suggested Readings
Physical Computing by O'Sullivan & Igoe
Robot Builder's Bonanza by McComb and Predko
507 Mechanical Movements by Henry T. Brown
Machine Shop Essentials by Frank M. Marlow
Mechanisms and Mechanical Devices Sourcebook (3rd Edition)
by Sclater, N., Chironis, N.P. (free PDF text!)
Welding Essentials by William L. Galvery
The Woodworkers Visual Handbook by Jon Arno
The Artist's Complete Health and Safety Guide by Monona Rossol
Web Resources
MFA Materials A-Z: where to get everything you need in NYC!
Herbach and Rademan: surplus motors, mechanical components,
power supplies
All Electronics: surplus electronics, small motors,
batteries
McMaster-Carr: new mechanical components, tools
https://www.surpluscenter.com
http://www.goldmine-elec.com
http://www.bgmicro.com
http://www.mpja.com