WORKSHOP
WORKSHOP: Speculative Human-Machine Choreographies
Led by Selwa Sweidan in collaboration with Michael Coty
September 29, 2019 at The Vortex
This workshop offers space and tools to collaboratively play with miniature and rudimentary robots to generate choreographic sketches. After playing in a robot “sandbox”, we will share our sketches and reflect on the potentials of automated systems in shaping lived experience and how we might incorporate machine intelligence into performance-based practice.
Zero technical skills required!
Who is this for?
This is an inclusive workshop. We welcome all creatives, artists, designers and technologists (especially from underrepresented groups, i.e. women, people of color, queer and trans folks etc.), age 18 and up. Children welcome if over the age of 12 and accompanied by guardian. For any special accommodations, please reach out to the organizer.
Selwa Sweidan is an artist, designer and researcher. Her work investigates embodied methodologies and artificially intelligent systems to probe technological innovation. Selwa has conducted design and foresight research across technology sectors, including future automated air traffic systems, smart homes and olfactory technology. Her work has been exhibited at Artificial Knowing, Bevilacqua Gallery, Center Du Pompidou, HomeLA, Spring/Break Los Angeles, TheOther.online and University Arts Gallery, UC Irvine. She has co-curated symposia and new media art exhibitions including Stacked Expo, Performative Computation, Super Radiance and Clustering. Selwa is currently a “collective resident” at NAVEL which is a test site for community-driven projects and critical equitable practices. Previously, Selwa was a Fellow at George Greenstein Institute; a postgraduate Fellow at ArtCenter College of Design and an Interactive Design Fellow at FABRICA, a creative communications think tank in Italy. She was awarded “Best Overall” at the Microsoft Design Expo ’15. Selwa is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Media Art at Loyola Marymount University. She holds an MFA from ArtCenter College of Design and a BA from Smith College.
Michael Coty is a Los Angeles based Interaction Designer. His work focuses on tangible design, specializing in digital and physical prototyping. Michael’s design approach emphasizes materiality of the interface, whole body interaction, physical embodiment of data, and spatialized interactions. Michael has a passion for electronics, electric vehicles, and utilizing technology to solve problems. Michael holds a BSc in Interaction Design from Santa Monica College.
This presentation is made possible in part by a grant from the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.
