4.314 U / 4.315 G

Examines artistic practice as a form of critical inquiry and knowledge production. Offers opportunity to develop art as a means for addressing the social, cultural, and ecological consequences of technology, to build bridges between industry and culture, and to challenge the boundaries between public and private, and human and non-human. Provides instruction in evaluating models of experimentation, individual research, and collaboration with other disciplines in the arts, culture, science, and technology. Supports the development of individual and collective artistic research projects. Additional work required of students taking the graduate version. 

Bioart is an interdisciplinary field that explores the intersection of art and biology, bridging the gap between science, technology, and artistic expression. This graduate-level course introduces students to the theoretical foundations and practical techniques of bioart, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and ethical considerations in the creation of bio-inspired artworks. Through a combination of theoretical discussions, hands-on bio lab work, studio practice, and guest lectures from experts in the field, students will gain a deep understanding of the historical context, ethical implications, and cutting-edge applications of bioart including DNA origami and Tissue printing. 

Course Objectives:

1. Understand the historical context and evolution of bioart as an art form.
2. Explore the ethical considerations and social implications of bioart.
3. Acquire practical skills and techniques for creating bio-inspired artworks.
4. Engage in critical discussions on the intersection of art and biology.
5. Collaborate with peers to develop innovative bioart projects.
6. Analyze and interpret bioartworks from various perspectives.
7. Develop a strong foundation for future research in bioart.

4.314/4.315 Syllabus (MIT Certificate protected)
 

UG: 4.368; G: 4.369

Focuses on the production of artistic interventions in public space. Explores ideas, situations, objects, and materials that shape public space and inform the notion of public and publicness, with an emphasis on co-production and cooperative ethics. Examines forms of environmental art in comparison to temporal and critical forms of art and action in the public sphere. Historical models include the Russian Constructivists, the Situationists International, system aesthetics, participatory and conceptual art, contemporary interventionist tactics and artistic strategies, and methods of public engagement. Students develop an initial concept for a publicly-situated project. Includes guest lectures, visiting artist presentations, and optional field trips.

Additional work required of students taking graduate version. 

4.368/4.369 Syllabus (MIT Certificate protected)

4.341 U / 4.342 G

Introduces history and contemporary practices in artistic photography through projects, lectures, artist visits, group discussions, readings, and field trips. Fosters visual literacy and aesthetic appreciation of photography/digital imaging, as well as critical awareness of how images in our culture are produced and constructed. Provides instruction in the fundamentals of different camera formats, film exposure and development, lighting, black and white darkroom printing, and digital imaging. Assignments allow for incorporation of a range of traditional and experimental techniques, development of technical skills, and personal exploration. Throughout the term, present and discuss projects in a critical forum. 

Additional work required of students taking the graduate version.

Note: section taught by Ryan Aasen is digital photography only

Syllabi (MIT Certificate protected):

• R. Aasen (coming soon)
• H. Membreno-Canales (coming soon)
• J. Willis

4.314 U / 4.315 G

Examines artistic practice as a form of critical inquiry and knowledge production. Offers opportunity to develop art as a means for addressing the social, cultural, and ecological consequences of technology, to build bridges between industry and culture, and to challenge the boundaries between public and private, and human and non-human. Provides instruction in evaluating models of experimentation, individual research, and collaboration with other disciplines in the arts, culture, science, and technology. Supports the development of individual and collective artistic research projects. 

Additional work required of students taking the graduate version.

UG: 4.354; G: 4.355

Introduces advanced strategies of image and sound manipulation, both technical and conceptual. Covers pre-production planning (storyboards and scripting), refinement of digital editing techniques, visual effects such as chroma-keying, post-production, as well as audio and sonic components. Context provided by regular viewings of contemporary video artworks and other audio-visual formats. Students work individually and in groups to develop skills in media literacy and communication. Additional work required of students taking the graduate version.

4.354/4.355 Syllabus (MIT Certificate Protected)

4.373 U / 4.374 G

Investigates conceptual and formal issues in a variety of media. Explores representation, interpretation and meaning, and how these relate to historical, social and cultural contexts. Helps students develop an initial concept for a publicly situated project. Includes guest lectures and visiting artist presentations. Additional work required of students taking graduate version.

4.373/4.374 Syllabus (MIT Certificate Protected)

Note: 8/16/23 - schedule change from M 2-5 to W 2-5

4.344 U / 4.345 G

PHOTO FUTURES is a hybrid seminar-studio course looking at potential futures of photography. Divided into three “post”s--post-photography, post-truth, and post-human--we will work with both “traditional” ideas of image making and “emerging” methods of reproduction such as photogrammetry, 3D printing, and projection mapping. Emphasis will be placed on the politics of representation and art making.

Course is centered around developing individual projects of students’ choosing. No prior experience in photography is necessary, and students from all disciplines are encouraged to apply.

Additional work required of graduate students.

4.344/4.345 Syllabus (MIT Certificate Protected)

4.341 U / 4.342 G

PPPPP is a studio course and ongoing research seminar about understanding the ways photography is and has been defined by its socio-technical contexts. In this course we will think about photography as an unstable site of contradiction that is best understood through serial negotiations between photography and other concepts, forces, and disciplines.

Course content includes lectures, readings, screenings, workshops, and creative projects, and will culminate in a self-directed project of students’ choosing.

Additional work required of students taking the graduate version.

4.341 Syllabus (Membreno-Canales; MIT Certificate Protected)
4.341 Syllabus (Aasen: MIT Certificate Protected)

UG: 4.368; G: 4.369

Focuses on the production of artistic interventions in public space. Explores ideas, situations, objects, and materials that shape public space and inform the notion of public and publicness, with an emphasis on co-production and cooperative ethics. Examines forms of environmental art in comparison to temporal and critical forms of art and action in the public sphere. Historical models include the Russian Constructivists, the Situationists International, system aesthetics, participatory and conceptual art, contemporary interventionist tactics and artistic strategies, and methods of public engagement. Students develop an initial concept for a publicly-situated project. Includes guest lectures, visiting artist presentations, and optional field trips.

Additional work required of students taking graduate version. 

4.368/4.369 Syllabus (MIT Certificate protected)