Valencia - Spain | May 2007
workshop @ EACC

Gallery

Congress: Critica Cultural: Transformaciones, Desplazamientos y posicionamentos en la critica de arte.
Organized by AVCA, Asociacion Valenciana de Criticos de Arte

1. MORNING: LECTURE
During the morning, after a brief illustration of the aims and research trajectories of the project, BiS will present a paper on the transnational identities of the mediterranean sea. Through a reading of Leonardo Sciascia's novel 'The Council of Egypt' we will attempt to reflect on the notion of fiction in the light of the multi-layered history of the Mediterranean sea. We will try to underline some possibilities opened up for contemporaneity by this game on the border between historiography and fiction. Attendants are kindly asked to seek information on Sciascia's book available in Spanish: "EL CONSEJO DE EGIPTO" Sciascia, Leonardo (Ed. Tusquets).

2. AFTERNOON: WORKSHOP
Key topics:
Visual complexity
Visual practice, infoesthetics, info visualization
Research to data to graphics to action

Description:
The debate about info visualization - which is now core to the experimentation in digital arts - started at the very beginning of the history of computers and media practice. However it is just recently that this field, which was before in the hands of software engineers, has become of interest for artists, architects, designers, urban planners and cultural practitioners in general. What has emerged is that the way digital media visualize information and networks of information can be used as a model to organize information outside the realm of digital interfaces. What the workshop will aim to elaborate is an introduction to info-visualization through digital media, both from a theoretical and a practical point of view. Attendants will be guided in realizing a sample application, which is meant to provide them with the tools to further investigate related issues. We will in particular look at how information becomes a form and how through visual complexity it is possible to reconfigure and reflect upon the information circulated in mass media. Being the workshop addressed to a non-specialized audience, no particular expertise is required, although a drive for visual practice and interest in organization of complex informational structure will be appreciated.
Aim and Learning outcomes:
Introduction to info visualization processes in general; visualize the complexity of data on the mediterranean sea as worked out in mass media; basic skills in organizational methods of info visualization; ability in developing a strategic approach to info visualization to further develop personal interests; basic but operative knowledge about Processing, software open source (www.processing.org).

Participants requirements:
Participants limited to 15. No specific requirements, but high computer literacy, a drive for visual practice and interest in visual organization of complex informational structure appreciated. Attendants are kindly asked to surf http://www.visualcomplexity.com/vc/ and infoesthetics.org for relevant examples.