Antoinette LaFarge: Programming for Artists

PROGRAMMING FOR ARTISTS (Studio Art 100): Projects

PROJECT 1: Random Poetry/Dialogue Jam

The goal of this project is to create semi-randomized poetry or dialogue using Max software. The impact of your project will depend on the quality of individual text fragments that you write, as well as the rhythms and repetitions that are set up by your use of the randomization functions.
Requirements, guidelines, and things to think about:

You project must include at least 10 and as many as 15 individual text messages of varying lengths--anything from a single word to an entire phrase.
Your project must include at least 2 different, named print boxes.
Your project must include at least 1 metronome object.
Your project must make use of the random function or (optionally) either the urn or the decide objects. We haven't gone over these latter two objects in class, but they are not hard to figure out since they are both related to the random object. You can find out how to use them in the Max Reference Manual.
The text fragments you use must be written by you.
The piece should be designed to have both automated elements (using the metro function) and manually controlled elements.

One way to begin is to write a poem or dialogue, then dissassemble it into fragments of various lengths. You will likely find, as you tweak your program, that you will need to add other fragments or rewrite those you started with.
Don't forget to take account of the fact that the print object name(s) will be among the most-repeated words in the poem.
Test the piece numerous times, since randomization means it will vary quite a bit from one run-through to another. This will give you a better basis for deciding which lines should appear more frequently, and which less so.
How does the fact that your poem has no set length, no set beginning, no set ending, and no set order affect the way you structure your program and write your texts?
What ideas are you trying to express through the language you are using, and how does your program design support these ideas?
How does the delay(s) created by the metronome affect the impact of the piece?
What kinds of repetition(s) are created by the way you have designed your program?
What happens if you work in multiple languages?

Optional: If you want to work with the Macintosh text-to-speech function, you can plan to have your piece spoken aloud by a synthetic voice during the project review. This gives you one extra parameter to work with: the way these synthetic voices pronounce and mispronounce words. Hint: experiment with the effects of variant spellings. The text-to-speech function can be turned on under the Apple menu>System Interface>Speech>Text to Speech tab. Check the "Speak selected text when the key is pressed" option, and under "Set Key" select a little-used key combination such as Shift-Option-K for the trigger.

HOMEWORK WEEK 4: Crossfades and Matrix Slicing

Add a crossfade function to the matrix-slicing patch. You can copy basic elements from the crossfade patch.
You will need the following elements in addition to what is already in the matrix-slicing patch:

at least one extra movie (.mov file) and one extra "jit.qt.movie" object, for a total of at least 3 of each.
a slider or other way to control the crossfade
a "jit.xfade" object
a "prepend xfade" object

Something to think about:
Where in the flow of information, from the initial bang/metro (or toggle/metro) objects to the glued-together matrix, does the crossfade happen? Hint: try inserting it in various places in the information flow and see what happens.

Project 2: Interactive Grid

For this project you will create an interactive artwork organized into a grid of 5-6 major rectangular elements; these can include almost any mix of videos, stills, and/or text objects. However, there must be at least one text element, and at least one video/still element. Your goal is create a compelling interactive experience for the viewer.

Other requirements:
Designate one area of your main programming window as the "showcase" area of your project. Visually delineate it using a background panel object with a fill and a border.
The interactive experience should last on the order of 2-5 minutes.
Include at least one jit.qt.movie object.
Include at least one random or urn object.
Include at least one jit.xfade object.

Ideas and suggestions:

The grid can be either a strictly aligned grid or a looser grouping of elements.
Consider the effects of your major composition choices: symmetrical/asymmetrical spatial arrangement; alignment/nonalignment of elements; relative size of elements; use of positive and negative space; color values and contrast, etc.
Consider the effects of rhythm in the piece: speed (fast/slow); variation in speed; interruptions.
Consider the effects of duration in your piece: both absolute duration (length of the experience) as well as duration of invididual elements and subsections of the piece.
It may be helpful to think in terms of having several subsections or movements, much as in a symphony, the music changes constantly as it is played, but there are also major differences between the "movements".
Using matrix slicing is optional; if you do choose to use those "scissors and glue" elements, you can count your sliced matrixes as individual elements. A 2x2 sliced-and-reassembled matrix would account for 4 of your 6 objects, for example.
Be wary of using rapidly blinking, pulsing, or flickering elements; while they are eye-catching at first, they rapidly become annoying, making it difficult to pay any sustained attention.
What are you trying to say with this project?

	PROGRAMMING FOR ARTISTS (Studio Art 100): Projects
	PROJECT 1: Random Poetry/Dialogue Jam
	The goal of this project is to create semi-randomized poetry or dialogue using Max software. The impact of your project will depend on the quality of individual text fragments that you write, as well as the rhythms and repetitions that are set up by your use of the randomization functions. Requirements, guidelines, and things to think about: You project must include at least 10 and as many as 15 individual text messages of varying lengths--anything from a single word to an entire phrase. Your project must include at least 2 different, named print boxes. Your project must include at least 1 metronome object. Your project must make use of the random function or (optionally) either the urn or the decide objects. We haven't gone over these latter two objects in class, but they are not hard to figure out since they are both related to the random object. You can find out how to use them in the Max Reference Manual. The text fragments you use must be written by you. The piece should be designed to have both automated elements (using the metro function) and manually controlled elements. One way to begin is to write a poem or dialogue, then dissassemble it into fragments of various lengths. You will likely find, as you tweak your program, that you will need to add other fragments or rewrite those you started with. Don't forget to take account of the fact that the print object name(s) will be among the most-repeated words in the poem. Test the piece numerous times, since randomization means it will vary quite a bit from one run-through to another. This will give you a better basis for deciding which lines should appear more frequently, and which less so. How does the fact that your poem has no set length, no set beginning, no set ending, and no set order affect the way you structure your program and write your texts? What ideas are you trying to express through the language you are using, and how does your program design support these ideas? How does the delay(s) created by the metronome affect the impact of the piece? What kinds of repetition(s) are created by the way you have designed your program? What happens if you work in multiple languages? Optional: If you want to work with the Macintosh text-to-speech function, you can plan to have your piece spoken aloud by a synthetic voice during the project review. This gives you one extra parameter to work with: the way these synthetic voices pronounce and mispronounce words. Hint: experiment with the effects of variant spellings. The text-to-speech function can be turned on under the Apple menu>System Interface>Speech>Text to Speech tab. Check the "Speak selected text when the key is pressed" option, and under "Set Key" select a little-used key combination such as Shift-Option-K for the trigger.
	HOMEWORK WEEK 4: Crossfades and Matrix Slicing
	Add a crossfade function to the matrix-slicing patch. You can copy basic elements from the crossfade patch. You will need the following elements in addition to what is already in the matrix-slicing patch: at least one extra movie (.mov file) and one extra "jit.qt.movie" object, for a total of at least 3 of each. a slider or other way to control the crossfade a "jit.xfade" object a "prepend xfade" object Something to think about: Where in the flow of information, from the initial bang/metro (or toggle/metro) objects to the glued-together matrix, does the crossfade happen? Hint: try inserting it in various places in the information flow and see what happens.
	Project 2: Interactive Grid
	For this project you will create an interactive artwork organized into a grid of 5-6 major rectangular elements; these can include almost any mix of videos, stills, and/or text objects. However, there must be at least one text element, and at least one video/still element. Your goal is create a compelling interactive experience for the viewer. Other requirements: Designate one area of your main programming window as the "showcase" area of your project. Visually delineate it using a background panel object with a fill and a border. The interactive experience should last on the order of 2-5 minutes. Include at least one jit.qt.movie object. Include at least one random or urn object. Include at least one jit.xfade object. Ideas and suggestions: The grid can be either a strictly aligned grid or a looser grouping of elements. Consider the effects of your major composition choices: symmetrical/asymmetrical spatial arrangement; alignment/nonalignment of elements; relative size of elements; use of positive and negative space; color values and contrast, etc. Consider the effects of rhythm in the piece: speed (fast/slow); variation in speed; interruptions. Consider the effects of duration in your piece: both absolute duration (length of the experience) as well as duration of invididual elements and subsections of the piece. It may be helpful to think in terms of having several subsections or movements, much as in a symphony, the music changes constantly as it is played, but there are also major differences between the "movements". Using matrix slicing is optional; if you do choose to use those "scissors and glue" elements, you can count your sliced matrixes as individual elements. A 2x2 sliced-and-reassembled matrix would account for 4 of your 6 objects, for example. Be wary of using rapidly blinking, pulsing, or flickering elements; while they are eye-catching at first, they rapidly become annoying, making it difficult to pay any sustained attention. What are you trying to say with this project?