garry@utflis.UUCP (07/18/87)
COMPUTER MEDIA LABORATORY
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Preliminary Announcement, July 1, 1987
INTRODUCTION
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In the fall of 1988 the Inter-Arts Department at The Banff Centre
School of Fine Arts will establish a Computer Media Laboratory.
This will be designed to be an environment conducive to artistic
creation and exploration through technological vehicles.
The Banff Centre School of Fine Arts is a professional arts centre
with active programming in the visual, performance, electronic and
literary arts. Within this artistic environment the Inter-Arts
Program supports collaborative and interdisciplinary work. The
Computer Media Laboratory (C.M.L.) expands this principle to include the
role of artist and technologist as collaborators in artistic creation.
In 1988, with the completion of the Jeanne and Peter Lougheed Building,
Inter-Arts will move into permanent facilities. Inter-Arts facilities
in the complex will consist of a Project Studio for rehearsal and
performance space, a Sound Recording Studio and the Computer Media
Laboratory with space for experimental work using computer and
other technologies.
GOALS
-----
With the creation of the C.M.L., Inter-Arts hopes to serve three
levels of interaction with the new technologies.
- Exploration
The Inter-Arts Program provides opportunities for participants from
all disciplines to explore, create and collaborate in a unique
technological environment. The C.M.L. will offer orientation and
advanced courses in related subjects.
- Projects
The Computer Media Lab offers a residency program for the development
of experimental creative works. As an advanced centre for creation,
the C.M.L. will offer residencies of varying length to both individual
artists as well as to groups of artists. Residencies will normally be
project oriented and will involve clearly defined creative or research
goals. Residents, while undertaking their own projects, will have the
opportunity to interact and share ideas with leading artists and
researchers.
- Research
While the new lab will function primarily as a centre for artistic
development, it also aims to develop strong relationships with
traditional research environments. In the research community itself,
there is a growing awareness of the necessity of input from artistic
imaginations. As the capabilities of the computer in cognitive and
creative tasks increase, and research in computer-human interaction
evolves, scientists are becoming aware of the difficulties in
effectively applying these technologies. The C.M.L. will provide
a creative environment in which scientists will collaborate with
artists. Through these activities we hope to contribute to the
understanding of the perceptual, cognitive and creative processes.
FACILITIES
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There will be four main components in the facilities of the Computer
Media Lab:
- Computer Music
The C.M.L. will have a variety of copmuter music tools. The MIDI
studio wil be equipped with current commercially available
synthesizers, microcomputers and software. Larger microcomputer
systems will be available supporting systems such as Cmusic. Tools
will be available for a wide range of musical activities and aesthetics.
- Computer Graphics
Powerful computer graphics workstations will be available for the
creation of visual imagery. Digitization tools will allow artists
to import images from other media, such as print and video, with the
ability to manipulate these images in a variety of ways. Participants
will be able to explore and create both still images and animated
sequences.
- Integrated Media
"Integrated Media", designating the dynamic control in real-time of
visual, aural and performance elements, is an important goal for
Inter-Arts. The C.M.L. will provide resources and expertise to
Inter-Arts residencies exploring integrated media, and encourages
specific proposals and applications for residencies in this field.
The Inter-Arts Project and Sound Recording Studios have been designed
specifically to facilitate such activity.
- Telecommunications
Participants will have access to network services from around the world
where artists are discussing creative issues. Other techniques for
making artistic use of the medium of telecommunications, such as
performance via satellite, will be investigated.
For more information about the Computer Media Lab, please contact
the Inter-Arts Department at The Banff Centre.
Michael Century Head, Inter-Arts (403) 762-6216
Garry Beirne Head, Computer Media Lab (403) 762-6325
David Kelln Head, Sound Recording Studio (403) 762-6224
The Banff Centre
School of Fine Arts
Box 1020
Banff, Alberta
Canada
T0L 0C0
(403) 762-6100
Telex: Artsbanff 03-826657
Bitnet: Beirne!UNCAMULT
Usenet: alberta!calgary!uncamult.BITNET!Beirne
Envoy 100: INTERARTS.BNFFCNTR
PAN: BANFF
IP SHARP: BFSA (group ARTEX)
BANFF (group ARTEX)
--
Garry Beirne
{utzoo,decvax,ihnp4,allegra}!utcsri!utflis!garry
garry@utflis.utoronto
soon to be:
{watmath,ihnp4}!alberta!calgary!uncamult!Beirne