The History and Theory of New Media

San José State University
Department of Art & Art History
The History and Theory of New Media
ART/H 110, Section 1 Fall 2014
Contact Information
Instructor:
Dr. Dore Bowen, Assoc. Professor of Art History & Visual
Culture
Office Location:
Art Bldg. 123
Telephone:
(408) 924-4721
Email:
[email protected]
Office Hours:
Tuesday 2:30-4:30pm and by appointment
Class Days/Time:
Tues/Thurs noon – 1:15pm
Classroom:
ART Bldg. 133
Course Description
This upper-division undergraduate course provides an introduction to historical and theoretical
issues relating to new media art in the 20th and 21st centuries. The course focuses on approaches
developed by the avant-garde in the United States and Europe. While thinking through the—at
times alarming, at times hopeful—implications of new media this course also examines the
complex relationships artists have developed with the machines that now inform our life-world.
The art movements addressed in this class include Fluxus and instruction-based art, process art,
performance and body art, video art, the Situationist International, installation, net.art, and bio
art.
Course Goals and Student Learning Objectives
After completing this course, students will:
1) be able to identify and respond to the main themes in new media art;
2) be familiar with the history of new media and the primary artists involved in its development;
3) be able to compare new media artworks and discuss the significance of individual works and
artists (and collectives);
4) be able to write a paper on a sub-topic related to new media.
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Required Texts/Readings
Textbook
Class Textbook: Michael Rush, New Media in Art, Second edition (London: Thames & Hudson,
2005). Buy this book ASAP. It is available in limited supply at the Spartan Bookstore or online
through Amazon or other booksellers.
Other Readings
Additional Assigned Readings: The textbook is supplemented with required readings that are
linked to the course schedule and/or posted on the canvas course website. You should check the
schedule every week for assigned readings.
Other equipment / material requirements
Canvas: This course is managed on Canvas. The greensheet, assignments, essays (if necessary),
updates and the course dropbox for your papers are all on this course site.
 How to access: Go to https://sjsu.instructure.com. Use your SJSU ID and
password to login.
 For problems and issues contact the Help Desk at 408-924-2377
Websites with Information on New Media Art: This list has been compiled from a large array
of websites concerning new media.
1-Histories:
Histories of Internet Art
Great Brains — on the history of the computer
2-Online Collections:
UBUWEB — collection of avant-garde works
Virtual Circuit – collection of avant-garde works
Whitney Project Page - Artport is the Whitney Museum’s portal to Internet art and an online
gallery space for commissions of net art and new media art
Walker Art Center Project Page
Walker Mediatheque
Steve Wilson’s website and index of New Media
Rhizome — net.art collection and writings
3-Important Exhibitions:
SFMOMA Art in Technological Times exhibition — online exhibition, 2001
“Beyond Interface” by Steve Dietz
Zero1 — San Jose Media Art Biennial Sept 12th-Dec 8th
Net_Condition — website for ZKM Center in Germany
4-Texts:
Nothingness.org (Situationist material)
SJSU Cadre Switch Journal SJSU
Library Liaison
Rebecca Kohn, [email protected] or (408) 808-2007.
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Course Requirements and Assignments
SJSU classes are designed such that in order to be successful, it is expected that students will
spend a minimum of forty-five hours for each unit of credit (normally three hours per unit per
week), including preparing for class, participating in course activities, completing assignments,
and so on.
1) Four Group Exercises (SLO 1): Students will be divided into groups. The exercises are
described in the course schedule and on the Canvas calendar. There will be time allotted in class
to prepare but students may need to make time outside of class as well. Due 9/12, 9/26, 10/17,
and 11/26. (Graduate students enrolled in the course may present their work to the class in lieu
of the group assignment.)
2) Paper Assignment (SLO 4): An individual 5 to 7-page paper. The instructions for this
assignment: 1) Describe a work of art in the San Jose Museum of Art. 2) Reread the essay by Jay
David Bolton and Richard Gruisin on “Remediation.” Define remediation and analyze your
chosen work in relation to this concept. 3) Finally, compare your chosen artwork to a work
discussed in class (see the links on the schedule) in terms of remediation.
Your paper is to be typewritten in 12-point font, with 1” borders, and footnote citations.
See the Chicago/Turabian Manual of Style for issues regarding style and formatting:
http://www.wisc.edu/writing/Handbook/DocChicago.html. If you have questions about writing
make an appointment at the Writing Center, Clark Hall, 408/924-2308. Contact Rebecca Kohn,
the library liaison, for information about research. The paper assignment will be explained and
discussed in class. A stapled hardcopy and online submission due on 11/7 at the beginning of
class.
3) Cumulative Review (SLO 2, 3): The cumulative review is on Friday 12/13 9:45 - noon. It
will be based upon the material covered during the semester in lecture and reading. It will
include term/image identification and written response questions.
Grading Policy
A+ = 100-97%
B+ = 89-87%
C+ = 79-77%
D+ = 69-67%
F = 59-0% Unsatisfactory
A = 96-93%
B = 86-83%
C = 76-73%
D = 66-63%
A- = 92-90%
B- = 82-80%
C- = 72-70%
D- = 62-60%
Grading information
No late assignments accepted. In the case of a medical emergency students will need an original,
signed and dated doctor’s note explaining the condition and declaring that you are unable to
attend class and complete work.
Papers will be graded on: 1) the ideas presented in fulfillment of the assignment, and 2)
grammar, spelling, structure, and thoughtful engagement.
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Assignment Weight
1) 4 Group Exercises
2) Paper Assignment
3) Cumulative Review
(5% each)
20%
40%
40%
Classroom Protocol
In-class Behavior
You are expected to attend all classes on time and remain in the classroom while in session,
unless otherwise arranged with the instructor. Absolutely no web surfing or phone calls will be
allowed in class.
Personal Responsibility
You are responsible for all class material. If you find material addressed in class difficult you
may leave the classroom. In such cases you are responsible for this material and will need to
arrange to exchange notes with another student.
Plagiarism will not be tolerated and will result in an F on the assignment and possibly the
course. All sources must be noted in your paper. You can find the definition of plagiarism on the
Judicial Affairs website at http://www2.sjsu.edu/senate/plagarismpolicies.htm. If you would like
to include in your project any material you have submitted, or plan to submit, for another class,
please note that SJSU’s Academic Integrity policy S04-12 requires approval by instructors.
http://www.sjsu.edu/advising/.
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Course Schedule ART/H 110 History and Theory of New Media, Fall 2014
The following schedule is subject to change with fair notice.
PLEASE NOTE: You need to have completed the reading assignment BEFORE the date listed below.
Date
Topics, Readings, Artists
1.
8/22
Introduction
Syllabus, Schedule, Assignments
2.
8/27-29
The Avant-Garde & the Manifesto
Reading
*F.T. Marinetti, “Futurist Manifesto” (1909)
*Luigi Russolo, “The Art of Noises” (1913)
*Dada and Surrealism, Key Texts
*John Cage on Silence
In-class Activities
Assignments Due
Artists
Russolo, Intonorumori
JOHN CAGE-John Cage, Water Walk (1960)
John Cage 4’33” (1952)
Soundings Exhibition at NYMOMA (2013)
3. 9/3-5
The Media- Possibilities & Discontents
Reading
*Marshall McLuhan, “The Medium is the
Message” (1964) [pages 1-8]
*Gilles Deleuze, “Postscript on the Societies of
Control” (1990)
*Mcluhan Interview
Artists
NAM JUNE PAIK-Nam June Paik Studio
Paik, “Video Tape Study #3” (1967-69)
Paik and Charlotte Moorman, TV Bra (1967)
Harun Farocki “Serious Games” (2009-10)
Trevor Paglen AND here
4.
9/10-12
The Event Score and the Happening
Reading
*Rush, Introduction, pp. 7-35
*Fluxus Performance Workbook
*Yoko Ono, “Event Lecture” (1966)
*Bruce Altshuler, “Art By Instruction”
Artists
Ubuweb 37 Short Fluxus Films
Fluxus at New York MOMA
Ray Johnson’s Mail Art
Dick Higgins on Fluxus vs. Dada
Allan Kaprow, “18 Happenings in 6 Parts”
(1959)
Joseph Beuys, Eurasian Symphony
Yoko Ono, Cut Piece (1965)
Thurs. 9/5 Groups Discuss
Event Score, Ex #1
Read over the event scores in
the Fluxus Performance
Workbook. Write a short
event score that responds to
one of the scores in the
Workbook. A one-page
hardcopy is due 9/12.
Thurs. 9/12 Group Ex #1
Due
Turn in a printed one-page
hard copy of your score at
end of class. Include the
names of your group
members and the title of
the event you are
responding to. Also
upload a copy to the
Canvas dropbox under Ex
# 1.
Exchange and perform
event scores.
ART/H110
5.
9/17-19
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Performance & Video Art
Reading
*Rush, Ch. 1, pp. 36-81
*Definition of Performance Art
Artists
Dan Graham, Performer/Audience/Mirror
(1975)
Viennese Actionists (caution: might be
disturbing to some viewers)
Marina Abramovic in Manchester and Relation
in Time (1977/2010)
Vito Acconci, Theme Song (1973)
Bruce Nauman on Art 21
Douglas Davis, Write Me (1979)
William Wegman, Works (1972)
Joan Jonas, Vertical Roll (1972)
6.
9/24-26
Performance & Video Art (cont)
Reading
*Rush, Ch. 2, pp. 81-123
Artists
Carolee Schneemann, Fuses (1964-67)
Peter Campus, 3 Transitions (1973)
Richard Serra and Nancy Holt, Boomerang
(1974)
Martha Rosler, Semiotics of the Kitchen (1975)
Sophie Calle & Greg Shephard, Double Blind
(1992)
Gillian Wearing, 2 Into 1 (1997)
Orlan, Carnal Art (2001) (caution: might be
disturbing to some viewers)
7. 10/1-3
Video Re-enactment
Reading
*Amelia Jones, “Presence in Absentia” (1997)
*Zimmerman Re-enactment Video (2012)
*On Marina Abramovic’s “Seven Easy Pieces”
(2005)
Artists
Cindy Sherman, Doll Clothes (1975)
T.R. Uthco and Ant Farm, “The Eternal Frame”
(1975)
Mark Tribe, “Port Huron Project” (2006-9)
Sharon Hayes, “SLA Screeds” (2003)
Eva and Franco Mattes, “Imponderabilia”
(2007)
Marina Abramovic, “Seven Easy Pieces”
(2005)
Sam Taylor-Wood, The Last Century (2005)
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Thurs. 9/19 Groups Discuss
Endurance Video, Ex #2
Create a video no more than
3 minutes long. You may use
any device—video camera,
cell phone, webcam, etc.—to
capture an interesting gesture
of physical/emotional
endurance. Bring a copy on
9/26 on usb. Also upload a
link or copy to Canvas
dropbox under Ex #2. Be
prepared to screen and
explain your video in class.
Thurs. 9/26 Group Ex
#2 Due
Bring in video on usb and
upload a link or copy to
the Canvas dropbox under
Ex #2 by the beginning of
class.
Project and explain in
class.
ART/H110
8.
10/8-10
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Mapping Space: The Situationists & After
Reading
*“Situationist Manifesto” (1960)
*Guy Debord, “Sit. Theory of the Derive” (ca.
1956)
*“Sit Theory of Détournement”(1959)
*Douglas Kellner, “Media Culture and the
Triumph of the Spectacle” (2001)
Artists
Psychogeographic Map of Paris
Situationist Films: Can the Dialectics Break
Bricks?(Vienet) & Society of the Spectacle
(Debord)
Asger Jorn
DIY Cartography
Julie Mehretu on Art21
Paula Levine
AdBusters
9.
10/15-17
10.
10/22-24
11.
10/29-31
DR. BOWEN
Thurs. 10/10 Groups
Discuss Psychogeographical
Map, Ex #3
Your group will perform a
dérive and from this create a
map that charts the data
culled from your drift
through the SJSU campus.
Scale, color, shape, etc.
ought to be carefully
designed. You may use
special effects, such as
collage or layering, but all
elements must be deliberate
and based upon group
consensus. Bring a usb copy
on 10/17 and upload on
Canvas under Ex #3. Be
prepared to project the map
and discuss in class.
Media Installation and Projection
Reading
*Rush, Ch. 3, pp. 124-179
Artists
Installation Artists on Art & Culture
Janine Antoni
Mary Ellen Strom & Ann Carlson
Bill Viola (from SFMOMA 1999 Exhibition)
Pipilloti Rist, Ever is Over All (1997)
Douglas Gordon, Interview
10/22 Mediation and Remediation
Reading
*Jay David Bolton and Richard Gruisin,
“Remediation” (1996)
The Birth of net.art
Reading
*Rush, Ch. 4, pp. 180-238
Artists
Olia Lialina, My Boyfriend Came Back from
the War (1995)
Jodi.org
Mark Napier, Digital Landfill
Visual Complexity
Martin Wattenberg
Vuk Cosic, ASCII (1998)
page 7
Thurs. 10/17 Group Ex
#3 Due
Bring in on usb and
upload a link or copy to
the Canvas dropbox under
Ex #3 by the beginning of
class.
Project and explain in
class.
Tues. 10/22 Visit to San
Jose Museum of Art
Print and bring a copy of the
questionnaire located on
Canvas to the museum. This
is to help you begin your
Paper Assignment. Bring
student ID card for discount
rate.
Thurs. 10/31 Discuss Paper
Assignment in-class
ART/H110
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Narrative vs. Database
Reading
*Lev Manovich, “Database as Symbolic Form”
(2001)
*Rachel Greene, “Web Work: A History of
Internet Art” (2000)
DR. BOWEN
Thurs. 11/7 Speaker
Artist Dr. Emile Devereaux,
Lecturer Lancaster
University
Suggested Reading
*Emile Devereaux, “Doctor Alan Hart” (2010)
13.
11/12-14
Artists
George Legrady
Jenny Holzer, Please Change Beliefs
Young-hae Chang and Heavy Industries
Natalie Bookchin
Jim Campbell, “Exploded Views” (2012)
The Cyborg
Reading
*Albert Borgmann and N. Katherine Hayles (1999)
*Donna Haraway, “Cyborg Manifesto” (1991)
page 8
Thurs. 11/7 Paper
Assignment Due
Bring stapled hardcopy of
paper and upload a copy
to Canvas under Paper
Assignment by the
beginning of class.
Thurs. 11/14 Speaker
Artist G. Craig Hobbs,
Assistant Professor of Digital
Media, SJSU
Suggested Reading
* Elizabeth Grosz, “Chapter 4” from Volatile
Bodies (Canvas)
*Summary of Grosz in relation to
“Remediations”
Artists
Eduardo Kac
Aziz and Cucher
Matthew Barney [Cremaster Cycle, 19942002]
Critical Art Ensemble (“Cult of the New Eve”)
Mongrel
14.
11/19-21
15. 11/26
Remix Culture
Reading
Paul Miller A.K.A. DJ Spooky on his Rebirth
of a Nation (and watch video excerpt)
Artists
DJ SPOOKY—
DJ Spooky website, Retouching McLuhan, and
soundfile
Remix Culture (cont)
No Class 11/28 for Thanksgiving
Thurs. 11/21 Groups
Discuss Remix, Ex #4
Make a remix on Mixbit
(www.mixbit.com). Be
prepared to project and
discuss it in class.
11/26 Exercise #4 Due
Upload link or copy to
Canvas under Ex #4 by
the beginning of class.
Project and explain in
class.
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16. 12/35
Wrap-Up
Final
Exam
Cumulative Review Friday 12/13 9:45 - noon
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12/13 Cumulative
Review
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University Policies
Dropping and Adding
Students are responsible for understanding the policies and procedures about add/drop, grade
forgiveness, etc. Refer to the current semester’s Catalog Policies section at
http://info.sjsu.edu/static/catalog/policies.html. Add/drop deadlines can be found on the current
academic year calendars document on the Academic Calendars webpage at
http://www.sjsu.edu/provost/services/academic_calendars/. The Late Drop Policy is available at
http://www.sjsu.edu/aars/policies/latedrops/policy/. Students should be aware of the current
deadlines and penalties for dropping classes.
Information about the latest changes and news is available at the Advising Hub at
http://www.sjsu.edu/advising/.
Consent for Recording of Class and Public Sharing of Instructor Material
University Policy S12-7, http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/S12-7.pdf, requires students to obtain
instructor’s permission to record the course.


“Common courtesy and professional behavior dictate that you notify someone when you
are recording him/her. You must obtain the instructor’s permission to make audio or
video recordings in this class. Such permission allows the recordings to be used for your
private, study purposes only. The recordings are the intellectual property of the instructor;
you have not been given any rights to reproduce or distribute the material.”
o It is suggested that the greensheet include the instructor’s process for granting
permission, whether in writing or orally and whether for the whole semester or on
a class by class basis.
o In classes where active participation of students or guests may be on the
recording, permission of those students or guests should be obtained as well.
“Course material developed by the instructor is the intellectual property of the instructor
and cannot be shared publicly without his/her approval. You may not publicly share or
upload instructor generated material for this course such as exam questions, lecture notes,
or homework solutions without instructor consent.”
Academic integrity
Your commitment as a student to learning is evidenced by your enrollment at San Jose State
University. View the document at: http://www.sjsu.edu/senate/docs/S07-2.pdf. The university
requires you to be honest in all your academic course work. Faculty members are required to
report all infractions to the office of Student Conduct and Ethical Development. The Student
Conduct and Ethical Development website is available at http://www.sjsu.edu/studentconduct/.
Instances of academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Cheating on exams or plagiarism
(presenting the work of another as your own, or the use of another person’s ideas without giving
proper credit) will result in a failing grade and sanctions by the University. For this class, all
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assignments are to be completed by the individual student unless otherwise specified. If you
would like to include your assignment or any material you have submitted, or plan to submit for
another class, please note that SJSU’s Academic Integrity Policy S07-2 requires approval of
instructors.
Campus Policy in Compliance with the American Disabilities Act
If you need course adaptations or accommodations because of a disability, or if you need to
make special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment
with me as soon as possible, or see me during office hours. Presidential Directive 97-03 at
http://www.sjsu.edu/president/docs/directives/PD_1997-03.pdf requires that students with
disabilities requesting accommodations must register with the Disability Resource Center
(DRC/now ERC) at http://www.drc.sjsu.edu/ to establish a record of their disability.
Student Technology Resources
Computer labs for student use are available in the Academic Success Center at
http://www.sjsu.edu/at/asc/ located on the 1st floor of Clark Hall and in the Associated Students
Lab on the 2nd floor of the Student Union. Additional computer labs may be available in your
department/college. Computers are also available in the Martin Luther King Library.
A wide variety of audio-visual equipment is available for student checkout from Media Services
located in IRC 112. These items include DV and HD digital camcorders; digital still cameras;
video, slide and overhead projectors; DVD, CD, and audiotape players; sound systems, wireless
microphones, projection screens and monitors.
SJSU Peer Connections
Peer Connections, a campus-wide resource for mentoring and tutoring, strives to inspire students
to develop their potential as independent learners while they learn to successfully navigate
through their university experience. You are encouraged to take advantage of their services
which include course-content based tutoring, enhanced study and time management skills, more
effective critical thinking strategies, decision making and problem-solving abilities, and campus
resource referrals.
In addition to offering small group, individual, and drop-in tutoring for a number of
undergraduate courses, consultation with mentors is available on a drop-in or by appointment
basis. Workshops are offered on a wide variety of topics including preparing for the Writing
Skills Test (WST), improving your learning and memory, alleviating procrastination, surviving
your first semester at SJSU, and other related topics. A computer lab and study space are also
available for student use in Room 600 of Student Services Center (SSC).
Peer Connections is located in three locations: SSC, Room 600 (10th Street Garage on the corner
of 10th and San Fernando Street), at the 1st floor entrance of Clark Hall, and in the Living
Learning Center (LLC) in Campus Village Housing Building B. Visit Peer Connections website
at http://peerconnections.sjsu.edu for more information.
SJSU Writing Center
The SJSU Writing Center is located in Clark Hall, Suite 126. All Writing Specialists have gone
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through a rigorous hiring process, and they are well trained to assist all students at all levels
within all disciplines to become better writers. In addition to one-on-one tutoring services, the
Writing Center also offers workshops every semester on a variety of writing topics. To make an
appointment or to refer to the numerous online resources offered through the Writing Center,
visit the Writing Center website at http://www.sjsu.edu/writingcenter.
SJSU Counseling Services
The SJSU Counseling Services is located on the corner of 7th Street and San Fernando Street, in
Room 201, Administration Building. Professional psychologists, social workers, and counselors
are available to provide consultations on issues of student mental health, campus climate or
psychological and academic issues on an individual, couple, or group basis. To schedule an
appointment or learn more information, visit Counseling Services website at
http://www.sjsu.edu/counseling.

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