In the 'Materials Lab' we experiment with matter.
The Importance of Materials in Creative Technologies
Our day commenced with a lecture that emphasised the huge role materials play in creative technologies. We learned that the choice of materials can profoundly impact the outcome of any artistic endeavour. From traditional mediums like paint, clay, and wood to cutting-edge digital tools, each material possesses its unique characteristics and possibilities.
Bridging the Gap Between Tradition and Technology
As a student interested in creative technologies, I'm intrigued by how traditional and digital materials can coexist and complement another. Our new thought objects are materials ranging from coconut fibre, to a bike wheel, to a dead butterfly. Alongside my tap I decided to pick a leftover birds nest.
I want to compare nature and the artificial, two objects engineered by two different species. We spent the lesson drawing our object on cards, annotating what materials they consist of. I assumed that the nest would be more fun to draw but I was wrong, there was so much detail and material going on that it hurt my eyes, whereas the tap is just solid metals and plastic. I think that was the point of the drawing exercise, to observe.
The remainder of the lesson was introducing us to virtual reality where we made art in the virtual world, and augmented reality.