Project 1 | Create a Program
To give an oversimplified definition of Conceptual Art, it would be that the work is dependent upon the discourse and meta-discourse surrounding the work, rather than the form of the piece itself. Conceptual work depends upon linkages to other dial[ectics]ogs; works are explicitly not self-contained. The artist Sol Lewitt is arguably the progenitor of conceptual art, creating work that is archetypal conceptual art — a simple statement or direction on a card, a set of instructions to be followed. Although this is not an exhaustive list, John Cage, Terry Riley, Yoko Ono, LaMonte Young, have created work that could be considered conceptual art, work that has programmatic aspects to it.
What is a program, but a set of instructions to follow that result in a varied set of outcomes? Many non-digital conceptual artworks fall along this line. More recently, LearningToLoveYouMore.com has published a series of assignments, which people accept and submit reports (the completed works). Some other program-like works:
- Sol Lewitt, Sentences on Conceptual Art
- LaMonte Young, Composition 1961 (Draw a straight line and follow it.)
- John Cage, 4’33", and Fontana Mix
Develop a program that could be executed by a member of the class.
- Create your own visual syntax for the instructions
- don’t use ActionScript, or another preexisting programming or scripting language
- instructions should contain variables, functions, loops, and conditionals
- Develop a physical artifact that can store, retreive and present the instructions
- Execution should be able to be represented successfully during class
Execute 2 classmates’ programs. Document the execution of your program.
All programs are due on January 31st.
Compiled documentation is due February 5th.
This project will be graded on the overall success of the work, experimentation in coding system, the quality of the documentation of the performance/execution.
