Tinkering, Sensors, Machines and Methods September 30 to October 9 2005
Introduction to electronics and microprocessors for artists workshop - 2005 at Concordia University.
Sponsored by CIAM Centre Interuniversitaire des Arts Mediatiques
In response to the growing demand from artists to work with new media, a basic electronics workshop and
Parallax Basic Stamp 2 microprocessor workshop.
The workshop will be divided into two, three-day sessions in order to cater to the various
levels of abilities and experience in interfacing various sensors and actuators to the Basic Stamp.
The first session will cater to beginners and the second intermediate session will be more advanced
and assume some knowledge of the Basic Stamp.
The Basic Stamp microprocessor is a postage stamp sized micro computer commercially available
and marketed to towards people of all levels of expertise. This little computer is programmable
and can be connected to all types of sensors, switches, LEDs, speakers, other computers (even other Stamps),
motor controllers, etc. It has a simple sound generator built into it. The programming language is Pbasic
(a variation on Basic), which allows for all sorts of interactions and processes to be programmed.
The workshops will be led by Canadian artist Ken Gregory, who has an extensive background working with
electronics and the Basic Stamp microprocessor micro-controller in new media art making.
cheapmeat.net
Winnipeg artist Ken Gregory has been working with DIY interface design, hardware hacking, audio,
video, and computer programming for over 10 years. His provocative and creative performance and
installation work has shown publicly in Winnipeg, other parts of Canada and many international media
and sound arts festivals. Anything is part of Gregory's palette, and by using cut-and-paste techniques,
random juxtapositions, and careful manipulations, he crafts unique art works. These works are presented
in the form of gallery installations, live performances, live radio broadcasts, custom computer software
and audio compact discs.
Tinkering, Sensors, Machines and Methods will help create a platform for shared knowledge between
artists. With KenŐs personalized support for individual projects, the participants
will learn ways in which to approach Do-it-yourself (DIY) interface design by learning practical means
of resolving technological questions. The value of developping these types of problem solving skills
in artists is immesurable as artists approaching this type of work tend to do so from new directions and
fresh perspectives often requiring unique interface design.
Ideally participants should have an interest or knowledge of the Basic Stamp, and the workshop should
be relevant to oneŐs practice or field of interest. Each workshop is a three-day commitment of 7 hrs a day.
There will be a fee for each workshop, which is to be paid in advance.
50$ for students, 100$ for faculty.
Both workshops will be in the Hybrid Lab EV OS2.625.
This workshop is open to currently enrolled graduate students at Concordia, Concordia faculty, currently
enrolled graduate and PHD students at UQAM, and UQAM faculty.
Workshop Description--------------------------------------- --------------------------------------- Top
Description of Workshop Level I beginner
Each participant will be provided with a kit consisting ofÉ
Basic stamp kit - stamp, bread board, serial cable, jumper wire, etc.
Basic electronics , relay, resistors, etc., LEDs, sensors.
Prerequisite - basic computer operation knowledge.
10 participants maximum
Itinerary
Day 1 Friday September 30
Morning 10 am to 1 pm
introduction and examples, A/V presentation by Ken.
Introduction to Basic Electronics for Artists
resources; web sites, Radio Shack books, etc.
basic descriptions and demos of basic circuits, how to read schematics, soldering,
and prototype methods with the bread board.
1pm - 2pm break for lunch
Afternoon 2pm- 6 pm
Introduction to Basic Stamp
resources; web sites, books.
How it works, using demo circuit on breadboard.
Pbasic programming introduction.
Programming software features.
Day 2 Saturday October 1
Morning 10am-1pm
Laboratory
supervised hands on with demo circuits and simple experiments.
Introduction to sensors and interfacing of same to Basic Stamp.
Further experimentation with programming and hands on.
1pm-2 pm break for lunch
Afternoon 2pm- 6pm
Hands on continues
Pbasic programming examples with more demo circuits.
Discussion of projects for Day
Day 3 Sunday Oct 2
Students come to class with an idea for a simple project with materials provided in the kit.
Ken will supervise and facilitate the creation of simple projects.
goals;
Design a simple kinetic art work with simple materials
Create a flow chart of operation
Do basic electronics, programming
Execute idea
Test and troubleshoot
Workshop 2 Description--------------------------------------- --------------------------------------- Top
Description of Workshop Level II Intermediate
Participants will be provided with a kit consisting of
Bread board, Basic Stamp, breadboard , power supply, fun stuff,
Basic electronics, resistors, LED, jumper wires, sensors etc.
prerequisite - beginners workshop or demonstration of basic knowledge. (interview with Ken in advance)
10 participants maximum
Day 1 Friday October 7
Morning 10am-1pm
Intermediate lessons in programming the Basic Stamp
Programming examples; interfacing to computers, wireless systems, networking, machine control, etc.
The session will include lecturing, demonstrations and hands on activities relevant to individual interests.
Introduction to the Basic Stamp 2.
1pm-2pm break for lunch
Afternoon 2pm-6pm
Intermediate lessons in Electronics
Electronics instruction, basic theory, multimeter operation, data sheets, working with AC power,
using different types of sensors
Experimentation with interfacing and control systems.
Day 2 Saturday October 8.
Same as Day 1 continued with supervised hands on.
Discussion of projects for Day 3
Day 3 Sunday October 9.
Individual project construction.
Goals;
Design a simple kinetic art work with simple materials
Create a flow chart of operation
Do basic electronics, programming
Execute idea
Test and troubleshoot
