MANOVICH!!!!!

Read it for 4/30!

The Language of New Media

Project #7.2: 3D (Virtual Space)

Objective: 
Our next project will involve the creation of a digital, 3D model of the sculpture you created. You will learn to use software to create a model that is accurate on all three axes (x, y, z). The project will help you learn the "mindset" needed to work with 3D imaging software to complete our next project (Second Life), as well as using 3D models for animation and printing in upper division Digital Media courses. 

Process:
You will use Google Sketchup to create your model. Using the program's tools, you will sculpt your model to accurately match your talisman sculpture. Please consider texture, color, shape, and implied mass when making your model. Use Photoshop to create custom textures to apply to your model's surface and be aware of the visual details that make up your final piece.

For the critique, please post 5-6 detail photographs of your final work to your blog, with corresponding photographs of your physical sculpture. You could also create a video of your work moving around using Snaps Pro X. Either way, you want to be able to show all the details and over-all composition of your piece.

Sketchup is a free program to download. As it is owned by Google, the Google rule will be invaluable to your success in this work. At this part of the semester I assume you have established your own working style and have an understanding of the process of digital media. I've given you an extended working time for this project and expect to be impressed with your final pieces.

To get to the 3D Warehouse go to file > 3D Warehouse > Get Models

4/21 - Project #7.1 Critique, Project #7.2: (Digital Space)

4/23 - Discuss Reading #5, Reading #6 Posted, Studio

4/28 - Studio

4/30 - Discuss Reading #6, Studio

5/5 - Project #7.2 Critique, Discuss Final Meeting

Final Class Meeting in Second Life - 5/12 7:30-9:30pm
 

Project #7.1: 3-D (Meat Space)

Talisman/Fetish Object/Creative Assemblage Sculpture of Obsession and Relationship

Talisman - an object that is thought to have magic powers and to bring good luck.

Fetish Object - an inanimate object worshiped for its supposed magical powers or because it is considered to be inhabited by a spirit.

Objective:
Our next project will involve the creation of an assemblage sculpture in meat space. You will create a talisman that reflects you and your life. Your talisman can represent anything aspect of your life and can be made of any material you wish. The limit of possibilities is only the restrictions you put on yourself. Anything will work, but be prepared to discuss your choices in the critique.

4/21 - Project #7.1 Critique

Readings #5: Digital Divide

Process:
Carefully consider yourself and what is important to you as a human being. Things to think about; your family, past, friends, dreams for the future, fears, talents, interests, morals etc. It is important for the piece to reflect you and aspects of your life. The interpretation of this project is very open and subjective.

Please create your assemblage sculpture IN THE ROUND with an artistic sensitivity to size, shape, and materials. Remember (from ART 100), in assemblage sculpture you will take objects and materials from one context and assemble them together to create a new context.

Your final work can not exceed 5 inches in any direction. Be aware of how the work exists in space on the X, Y, and Z axis. During the critique present your works in a good old fashion sculpture critique.

Assemblage Artist Quick Review (these are a few of many)
Joseph Cornell
Man Ray
Meret Oppenheim
Joseph Beuys
Robert Rauchenberg
Tim Hawkins

Final Project: Second Life

                  (Digitally Beautiful or Weird Harry Potter?)

Final Class Meeting in Second Life - 5/12 7:30-9:30pm

We will hold our final class meeting in Second Life! 

My Second Life avatar name is "fumblerustybacon"

Our final project will consist of the creation of two avatars in Second Life. The "Community Learning" idea is a theme we have followed through out the semester and will, of course, be continued in our final project. Think of the project as a mixture of the traditional self-portrait and social practice new media art. Please check out this Front Line "Digital Nation" (I believe its on Netflix too) to start thinking about the digitalization of various aspects of our lives.

Part 1: First Self

Representational Avatar/Self
Sign up for a free account and get acquainted with Second Life. Your first avatar will be representational and reflective of who your are in real (or meat) space. Look above to see mine as an example.

Follow these steps:
A) Begin by playing with the appearance interface to get accustomed to playing in Second Life. Play with eye color, body shape, etc. to build your digital self. You will need to find, create, or buy (I'll give you some SL cash called Lindens) clothing and accessories to create a realistic avatar. Think of the Second Life tools as just another medium used to create human representations.

Below is a tutorial that will help you get comfortable playing with your appearance.
http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Appearance_Editor

B) Once you have created an avatar, save this as an outfit. The next step is to use Photoshop to create a "photo" realistic avatar. I've included tons of tutorials and the avatar template I used to create my beautiful self. As with everything related to Digital Media, it looks harder than it really is. You will start by taking a profile and front head shot to work with in Photoshop. Make sure these are taken together so the light is consistent. You will use these photos as source material to build your portrait with a Master Template. Remember, patience and the Clone Stamp Tool are your best friend in this project.

Here is the main tutorial page for clothing and skin tutorials:
http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Clothing_Tutorials

I used this link to create my avatar. Her website is full of helpful tutorials on all sorts of fun subjects:
Robin Wood

Here are some files that I used in my process.

This is the final result using the template I downloaded from Robin Wood. Remember to hide the template layers before saving your file as a .tga.

                                                                   Mugshot!

Its easier to only work with one half of your source photo to make your portrait have symmetry.

Below is the template Joe Delappe used to create his senator candidate avatar:
http://www.annotoole.com/CMFF/ (you will need CMFF_Master_Template_Head.zip)

This is a tutorial on making and importing skin. The file format needed for Second Life is TARGA (.tga). The version of SL used is old but the tutorial gives you a good sense of how to think about the process of creating your portrait:
http://www.avatars-3d.com/tutorial-template-secondlife/273-second-life-how-to-use-a-skin-template

Though the artist is using a different program in this video, the process you can use is the same. Its helpful to watch this as it quickly gives you tips on how to successfully use your tools to create your avatar.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHQKQKQROyc&feature=related

This should be fun and somewhat of a digital party. I hope it is the funnest final you have this semester. Also, remember what I told you about flexibility and patience with each other for this project. The success of the critiques will rely on us working as a community and understanding Second Life can sometimesb e poopy in how it loads, functions, whatever. Good screen shots posted to your blog are vital for this project.

 

Part 2 – Second Self

For the second part of this project, you will create a "fantasy/experimental/imaginary" avatar. Your imagination is the only limit for the second avatar. Consider the variety of ways you can express your inner-self, your interests, or any way you would like to represent yourself. One requirement of this project is that at least one of the items of clothing or objects used for your outfit are made using the building tools in Second Life. You will need to post "in-process" screenshots of your building process. (You can only use the build tools in Sandboxes. Sandboxes are also the only place you can open objects you buy.) Here's a sandbox url:

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Sandbox%20Newcomb/76/187/27

Remember the Google Rule when tackling this project and have fun. Really use your imagination and artistic creativity with this piece.

Some Additional Links for Tutorials!

A TON of tutorials here, please note "how to embed texture onto an object" for example:

http://wiki.secondlife.com/wiki/Video_Tutorials#Official_Video_Tutorials

Clothing Tutorial:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBOiPspH6vs&feature=related

Importing Textures: Important for importing your portrait texture.

http://collaborate.extension.org/wiki/Second_Life/Building#Importing_Texture

Build stuff:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyrBXnbWjsE&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c08WOhStkPg&feature=watch_response