School
for
Poetic
Computation
More likely than not, one of the first pictures you drew as a child was of a plant. Even some of humanity’s oldest recorded images depict plant life and our relationship to it. This course on Algorithmic Botany examines what role computation plays in shaping the present and future of this simple, very old, and very human endeavor of capturing the beauty of the natural world in our art. In some ways, by using code to express our artistic observations on plant life, we’ll be able to distill the qualities of plant-ness with a clarity unique to this medium. Perhaps plants are some of earth’s oldest computers. We will also examine the contradictions that come with using code in this way, when computational models are so often used to predict, optimize and otherwise manipulate nature. This course will start by trying to depict plants with code. The goal of this session, through code and theory, is to make art that operates like nature, within nature, and for the benefit of nature.
Images courtesy of teachers, participants, class documentarians and guests.
Participants will be expected to engage in creating weekly computational art sketches that respond to theoretical and critical readings.
Required:
Recommended but not required:
This class may be for you if:
Sean Catangui is a graphics editor at the New York Times, a lecturer at the New School, and an SFPC alum. He combines code, design, and art direction in service of visual storytelling.
he/him
· website
· twitter
· instagram
Matt Jacobson is a recreational mathematician, educator, and generative artist based in New York City. Working with algorithms and plotters his work focuses on mathematical aesthetics and how they can help us explore and expose the often obfuscated rules that guide the world around us.
he/him
· website
· twitter
· instagram
Alex Miller is an artist, programmer and teacher. In his creative practice under the name SPACEFILLER, he focuses on low fidelity simulations with emergent, naturalistic behavior. He uses these systems to build installations or audiovisual performances.
he/him
· website
· twitter
· instagram
Applications open until Applications closed on December 2, 2022.
You can expect to hear back from us about the status of your application on December 16, 2022. Please email us at admissions@sfpc.study with any questions you have.
For 5 classes, it costs $750 + $25.80 in processing fees, for a one-time payment. We also offer payment plans. Participants can schedule monthly payments of the same amount. First and last payments must be made before the start and end of class. *Processing fees apply for each payment.
SFPC processes all payments via Withfriends and Stripe. Please email admissions@sfpc.study if these payment options don't work for you.
For more information about what we look for in applicants, scholarships, and other frequently asked questions, please visit our applicant FAQ.
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