Upcoming Workshops:
Alternative Photographic Processes - CANCELLED
Date: Saturday, November 28, 12-4 p.m.
Cost: $45 for members, $60 for non-members
Instructor: Dave Kemp
Please note: We've had to cancel this weekend's workshop. If you're already signed up or are interested in taking the workshop at another time, please contact Alex Snukal (alex.snukal at this domain) for future dates. We will try to offer it in our next workshop series.
Here's what you missed!
Toyhack!
Date: Tuesday, September 22, 7-10
Cost: $19.99
Instructor: Rob Cruickshank
In this workshop, we'll learn not only the how, but also the why of toyhacking.
We'll talk about the reasons for toyhacking, not just the fun stuff, like putting dinosaur heads on Barbies, but also the serious stuff, like making electronic toys accessible to the disabled.You will learn how to tell hackable from non-hackable toys.You will learn what tools to use, how to glue things together, and how to do electronic “brain transplants” to bend toys to your will.
Some electronics experience will be helpful, but not required.
Safety equipment will be provided, but you are encouraged to bring your own safety glasses.
Bring toys to hack! (a random assortment will be provided) Suitable toys are non-precious, battery powered electronic or mechanical toys. If it looks like you can take it apart, you probably can. If you paid more than 5 dollars for it, you may not want to. If you feel you could put it back together, you might be able to.
There will be ample time for unstructured (but supervised) hacking, so prepare to roll up you sleeves and make things!
Note: This workshop uses lead-based solder, and various adhesives, including toluene-based styrene cement, and is not recommended for those who are pregnant, considering pregnancy, or nursing.
About the Instructor: Robert Cruickshank is a Toronto-based multidisciplinary artist. His works in various media including electronic and robotic installations, sound art, electroacoustic music, and photography have been exhibited in Toronto, and internationally. As a long-term member of InterAccess, he has participated in many collaborative projects, such as the shows Space Probe and SenseBus, and the Art Interface Device project. He is currently a member of I/O Media, an InterAccess-based electronic audio/visual improvisational group. He has developed a number of workshops at InterAccess, providing artists with an opportunity to learn electronics, and has assisted numerous artists with the technological challenges of realizing their works.
Introduction to Sensors
Dates: Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27; 12-4pm both days.
Cost: $120 for members; $150 for non-members
Instructor: Jessica Field
The workshop will introduce you to a variety of different sensors, explain how they work, show the three different types of interfaces to work your sensor and prepare you for using any sensor you would like in the future.
What are Sensors?: There are a wide variety of sensors out on the market, but they all have one thing in common, they all work in one of three ways. They all either have a digital, analog or serial interface that can be used to make any project autonomous. So once one knows what these interfaces are and what they mean, one has the opportunity to use any number of interesting sensing device (ie: sonar, motion detection, light detection, temperature sensing, and the list goes on).
About the Workshop: The workshop will introduce you to a variety of different sensors. Explain how they work, show the three different types of interfaces to work your sensor and prepare you for using any sensor you would like in the future. This course is designed to show you all the dirty tricks to avoiding the microcontroller to make interactive art, it is also designed to learn to understand when you need a microcontroller to make your projects work.
The main focus in this class is on the nature of sensors and learning how to figure out what the numbers mean, so the serial interfacing method will only be explained hypothetically as it is impossible to teach microcontrollers as well. The main focus in working with digital and analog interfaces as they are the most affordable and simple sensors to work with and as it so happens they are actually the only two types of sensors that exist but some kind company simplifies them into serial interfaces so you don't have to get to know your sensor, they tell you what the numbers mean.
Prerequisites: This course is directed to students who are new to electronics and would like to learn how to make effective projects in the simplest way possible. It is always to the student's advantage to know some basic electronics so only the principles of sensors is the main focus of the class.
What to Bring With You: You will want to bring a notebook.
About the Instructor: Jessica Field is a Montreal artist and educator. She teaches at Concordia University intro courses for digital media and electronic workshops. Jessica focuses mainly on robotics in her art practice and is presently researching methods of creating robots that appear to have artificial life as well as creating robot ecosystems where all robots are co-dependant on each other to keep a balance between them.
References:
- HVW Technologies: http://www.hvwtech.com
- Robot shop: http://www.robotshop.ca
Introduction to Arduino
Date: Wednesday, October 7, 7-10pm
Cost: $45 for members; $60 for non-members
Instructor: Gordon Hicks
What is Arduino?: Arduino is a microcontroller, similar to BASIC Stamp and PIC that is designed to control physical computing projects. It can sense the outside world through switches and sensors. It can also control displays, LEDs, lights, motors or just anything you can dream up. The Arduino can communicate with others devices and computers over MIDI, RS-232, USB and ethernet (internet) channels- and it can interface to programs like PureData (Pd), Max/MSP and Flash. It is endlessly versatile.
Arduino is more than just a microcontroller, it is also a community. Within the community are a large number of like-minded people working with the Arduino technology to create physical computing projects. It is likely that you can find out 'how-to' for your particular project by exploring the projects and tutorials on the Arduino website. Or, if you've figured out how to do something new, you can contribute it back into the ever growing pool of know-how. It is this aspect that especially recommends the Arduino to the art community.
About the Workshop: The workshop will introduce you to the Arduino and give you a hands-on experience of programming for simple physical computing applications. You will learn what hardware and software you need, where to get it, and how it all together into a baseline Arduino platform.
Prerequisites: This course is aimed at students who have some familiarity with either the Basic Stamp or the PIC and have constructed physical computing projects, however simple. You should have at least a rudimentary familiarity with programming - the language doesn't matter, as long as you have written some code. You should be able to breadboard a simple circuit from a schematic. If you are a little shaky in some aspect, you will probably still benefit - the instructor or fellow students can help you along.
What to Bring With You: You will probably want to bring a notebook. If you have a laptop computer that you would like to use (MacOS, Windows), then bring it with you - we will set it up to program the Arduino. There will be Arduinos to play with and other materials will be supplied.
About the Instructor: Gordon Hicks is a Toronto artist and educator. He teaches at OCAD in topics related to physical computing and has lead a number of workshops at InterAccess including Introduction to Microcontrollers. His art practice uses new media, often involving electronics and kinetic elements. Currently he is developing an Arduino based project that provides a physical connection between remote objects over the channel of the internet.
Processing: An Introduction to Computer Programming for Artists and Designers
Unfortunately, we've had to cancel the Processing workshop. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Tuesday, October 13, and Thursday, October 15; 7-10 p.m. both days.
Cost: $80 for members, $100 for non-members
Instructor: Frank Tsonis
What is Processing?: Processing is a simplified computer programming language ideal for artists and designers. Its free to use and runs on Windows, Mac OSX and Linux.
About the Workshop This workshop is designed for people with little or no programming experience. So if you want to learn how to make interactive graphics, animations or fun software sign up for this workshop.
During this 2 day workshop you will learn the fundamentals of programming in a fun and playful manner:
- How to create graphics using basic shapes (points, lines, rectangles, circles, curves)
- How to create small animations using basic shapes.
- Loading images (.jpg files) and displaying them on screen.
- Loading fonts and displaying text on screen.
- Displaying text, images and shapes to create an multimedia image.
- How to use mouse and keyboard input to add interaction to your artwork.
- Art Work that use Processing (examples, resources, questions)
What to Bring With You: If you have a latptop, download processing and bring it to the workshop. If you do not have access to a laptop, please contact Alex Snukal (alex.snukal at this domain) in advance of the workshop to arrange for a computer to use.
References:
- Processing Website: http://processing.org
- Download: http://processing.org/download/index.html
- Check out the Exhibition section of artists who have used processing: http://processing.org/exhibition
About the Instructor: Frank Tsonis is an interactive/media artist/researcher currently living in Toronto. He is a graduate of Concordia University's Computation Arts (BFA) program. In the past, he has worked as a researcher for Jason Lewis at OBX Labs and has conducted technical support for various Toronto based artists. He has taught several workshops at InterAccess in the last 2 years. His art and research interests are interactive sculpture/audio installations, wearable computing for live performances and electrocacoustics. His current project is an interactive audiovisual installation exploring the perennial nature of nihilism.
His work is located at:
References:
- Arduino website: http://arduino.cc
Make interactive-generative-video-audio-installation-art (using Pure Data)!
Date: Tuesday, October 20, 7-10 p.m.
Cost: $45 for members, $60 for non-members
Instructors: David McCallum and Dafydd Hughes
What is PD?: Pure Data is a graphical media programming language, similar in use to the well-known programs Max/MSP and Quartz Composer, but it's free, open source, and so much cooler.Pure Data allows artists to interact with the real world through live camera feeds, audio, video, motion sensors and other sources, or create synthesizers and video mixers. Graphical programming is most commonly used in immersive and interactive installations as well as live video mixing/VJ events.
About this Workshop: This workshop will lead you through learning Pure Data (Pd), a powerful tool for making video art, interactive installations, audio art, and pretty much anything you can think of. The content of this workshop will be from day one of our famous three-day Pure Data workshops, the best Pd workshop on the planet. It will also prepare you for our more intensive workshop at LIFT in December.
Prerequisites: No experience necessary, only the will to make awesome things.
What to Bring With You: Please bring a laptop.If you do not have access to a laptop, please contact Alex Snukal (alex.snukal at this domain) in advance of the workshop to arrange for a computer to use.
Introduction to Open Sound Control
Date: Tuesday, October 27, 7-10 p.m.
Cost: $45 members, $60 non-members
Instructor: Frank Tsonis and Dafydd Hughes
Have you ever wanted to get two computers to make art together? Use your iPhone to control your robot army? Turn video into sound? Create an art installation in two physical locations? Then Open Sound Control is for you.
Open Sound Control (OSC) is a communication protocol for sending data over networks and/or between software. It isn't just for audio applications (don't let the name fool you).
About the Workshop: Attending this workshop you will learn the following:
- Open Sound Control theory, but in a fun way
- How to create a Client (sends data) patch in Max and PD
- How to create a Server (receives data) patch in Max and PD
- How to talk between Processing and PD (Interactive Graphics in Processing, Real Time Audio in PD)
- Open Sound Control Bundles: For event based interactions (i.e Dance or musical gestures)
- Art Work that use OSC (examples, resources, questions)
What to Bring With You: If you have a laptop, download Open Sound Contol (LINK) and bring it to the workshop. If you do not have access to a laptop, please contact Alex Snukal (alex.snukal at this domain) in advance of the workshop to arrange for a computer to use.
DMX for Arduino - Spooky Kitchen Edition
Date: Thursday, October 29th, 7-10 p.m.
Cost: NEW PRICE!!!: $25 $45 for members, $60 for non-members (
Includes the chip you'll need for DMX controlling)
Instructor: David McCallum
Finally, create that crazy Christmas house you've always wanted!
DMX is like MIDI for lighting. It's a protocol to control stage and DJ lighting, and just plain old lightbulbs. You could do this with your computer and a fancy box, but now you can do it *without* your computer! We'll show you the basics of the tinker.it DMXSimple library for Arduino, allowing you to create smart lighting installations using the world's cutest microcontroller.
What to Bring With You: A notebook, bring your own Arduino if you'd like.
Prerequisites: Very basic knowledge of Arduino is required. No soldering is required.
Introduction to Electronics and Textiles
Date: Tuesday, November 3, 7-10 p.m.
Cost: $19.99 $45 for members, $60 for non-members
Instructors: David McCallum, Angella Mackey
Pong-playing dresses? Clothes that take pictures? Bike jackets that know when you're stopping?
About the Workshop: If you're interested in electronics and textiles, but don't know where to start, then this workshop is for you. You'll get an overview of the latest inventions and artistic projects out there and resources to help you create your own. There will be electro-textile thingies for you to play with, as well as a little intro to the Lilypad Arduino. No electronics or sewing experience required.
This workshop is a great warm-up for the upcoming Lilypad Arduino workshop.
Lilypad Arduino or How to make that blinking dress you've always wanted
Date: Tuesday, November 10, 7-10 p.m.
Cost: $45 for members, $60 for non-members + $50 in materials fees (includes LilyPad and some goodies). Materials fee subject to change by about $10 depending on supply
Instructors: David McCallum and Angella Mackey
The LilyPad is a version of the famous Arduino microcontroller designed to be sewn into clothing. That's right, !***sewn***!. How cool is that? The LilyPad has all the functionality of a regular Arduino, with the added bonus of being perfectly designed to integrate into clothing, allowing you to create wearable and e-textile projects.
We'll lead you through the basics of Arduino programming and some tips and tricks for soft electronics interfaces.
Prerequisites: None! You don't even need to know how to sew! But we recommend the Electronics and Textiles workshop preceding this one. It'll prime you for the world of wearables and e-textiles.
What to Bring With You: Bring a laptop, if you can. Please contact Alex Snukal if you need a computer supplied for this workshop.
Intro to Stereoscopic Imaging
Date: Tuesday, November 17, 7-10 p.m.
Cost: $45 for members, $60 non-members
Instructors: Dave Kemp and Rob Cruickshank
You have two eyes- start using them!
It's hard to escape the the hype surrounding 3D these days- Hollywood is cranking out 3D features like it was 1956. Is it just another gimmick again, or is stereoscopic imaging really the future of visual media this time? 3D has a long history- Charles Wheatstone invented the sterescope in 1840, just a year after the invention of photography, and 3D crazes have come and gone, from Victorian stereocards (you'll get to see a 3D lolcat that's over a hunded years old!) to the 3D movies of the 50s, and 80s.
We'll look at the histrory of 3D, including images and equipment from the heyday of the mid 50s, then learn the basics of how our sterescopic vision works, and how to create images that will have depth, yet won't strain the eyes. You'll learn how to use single or paired digital cameras and learn to use popular open-source stereoscopic software. We'll look at viewing methods ranging from anaglyph (red/blue) glasses to active liquid-crystal shutter glasses, and everything in between.
Particpants may wish to bring a digital camera and laptop, although these are optional.
Funny glasses WILL be provided!
Intro to Analog Synthesis
Date: Tuesday, November 24, 7-10 p.m.
Cost: $45 for members, $60 for non-members
Instructor: Dafydd Hughes
Kill your presets!
Are you bored with stock sounds, but every time you work up the courage to turn a knob your sonic world collapses? This workshop's for you. Keyboard nerd Dafydd Hughes will walk you through the basics of Subtractive (aka Analog) synthesis, the conept behind some of the most awesome synths and samplers around, and the fastest way to get into designing your own sounds. After a few short hours you'll be ready to throw out your factory presets and start building your own sonic world from scratch.
No experience or knowledge necessary. We'll be using free software in the workshop, so you can take home everything you've done.
It's worth pointing out that this is a beginner workshop, and that we'll be covering only subtractive synthesis, not FM or any other chicken-sacrificing technology.
Ossington Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M6J 2Y8
