Matt Romein

Prerequisite: Communications Lab (IMNY-UT 102) OR equivalent coursework.

Whether it’s through photo realistic scans found in current-gen video games or the cartoonish and low-fi aesthetic of Bitmoji there is no limit to ways in which the body and the self are represented in digital spaces.

This 2 credit class will look at how avatars have been historically used in the realm of art, commerce, and entertainment and utilize existing avatar creation tools to develop projects that examine identity, body politics, and contemporary performance. In class we will cover the basics of Unreal Engine, photogrammetry, 3D scanning, and model rigging although students will be encouraged to use existing skill sets and creative thinking to complete some of the smaller week-by-week assignments. The class will culminate with a short performance, small installation or single/multi-channel video piece using one or more of the techniques covered in class. This can be a solo project or a group project.

In this class students will:

– Explore how avatars can be utilized in your creative practice

– Gain an introductory understanding of Unreal Engine, photogrammetry, model rigging, and 3D scanning.

– Learn how to re-contextualize digital spaces for the purposes of art, installation, and performance.

– Broaden your thinking of what performance can be, both in a physical setting and digital setting.

– Think critically about how physical bodies inhabit digital spaces and how our the hardware and software we use reinforces the acceptance and value of certain kinds of bodies.