Art & Technology Program in the Department of Art

Art & Technology is an interdisciplinary studio arts program in computer mediated art, which includes interactive and electronic objects and environments, multimedia, digital video, experimental and traditional 3D animation, locative media, art & biology, digital imaging, rapid prototyping, holography, net art, installation, sound, emerging forms and new genres. Degrees offered are: 2-year MFA and a 4-year BFA program. We also involved in serving the undergraduate Minor in Studio Art (info page) and the new undergraduate minor in Video Arts (see info page).

The program is designed to help students discover individual aesthetics and artistic vision through conceptualization, theory and an awareness of history that critically engages the use of advanced science and technology. Students are encouraged to consider content, contexts and approaches that may not fit within traditional definitions of art or display venues. Advanced technologies are explored as creative tools and as agents, which can lead to new ideas and artistic invention central to contemporary art.

The Art and Technology program is situated in one of the top art departments and public research universities in the world with vast conceptual and facility resources. In addition to two full time professors, students in the Art & Technology area also benefit from affiliated professors in Film Studies, Physics, Sculpture, Photography, the Advanced Computing Center for Arts and Design (ACCAD), Glass, Biology, Architecture, Ceramics, Printmaking and Nanotech West. Interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary experimentation that forges connections to other departments is encouraged.

Facilities

The Fergus-Gilmore Computer Studio provides special capabilities for exploration into digital imaging, video, large format printing, 3D modeling, animation, sound and multimedia. The Sherman Art Studios provide access to glass blowing and metal casting as well as full fabrication in wood and metal. The Art Department woodshop has a full selection of woodworking equipment/tools along with a new Dimensional Imaging Research Lab (DIRL) to explore rapid prototyping using a Epilog Laser Cutter, Computer Numberical Controlled Mill and ZCorp 510 color rapid prototyping system. A Stratasys Vantage i 3D printer for printing 3D files is also availalbe in Architecture, which shares facilities with the Department of Art.

The New Media Robotics laboratory allows development of interactive microprocessor and computer based control for robotic sculpture, interactive video and environments utilizing MAX MSP and Jitter, The Parallax Basic Stamp and Arduino. Our New Media workshop has a mill/lathe and metal and woodworking tools for working with a variety of material processes. Our holography laboratories, administered by Art and Technology and the Physics Department, provides access to holographic imaging and experimentation with light.

The Film Studies Program provides historical context and theory, our 3D modeling and animation classes and the Advanced Computing Center for the Arts and Design (ACCAD) provides additional computing and research possibilities for Art and Technology graduate students and undergraduates.

The Wexner Center for the Arts provides an ever-changing array of international contemporary art exhibitions, as well as an active film and visiting artists program open to the community. Ann Hamilton and Michael Mercil regularly teach a seminar session in the Department of Art and also oversee an acclaimed visiting artists and scholors program.