Matt Romein

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 recontextualize 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.