MEFT 3102

There are information sessions for people interested in the Honours year in the School. There is more information here.

A robot that responds to affection has been developed in the UK. Meanwhile, Christian Nold is looking at interesting ways of mapping cities.

The two textbooks – the Tofts and the Clark – have both arrived in the bookshop. You need to get them now, because there are sections from both that you need to read for Week 2′s tutorials.

Information from Careers at UNSW for those interested ..

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Careers and Employment

Looking for Vacation and/or Internship employment? This Expo is open to all non-final year students from all Faculties.

For further information please contact Register at: www.careers.unsw.edu.au on (02) 9385 5423 or visit http://www.careers.unsw.edu.au/
http://www.unsw.edu.au/events/db/2008/07/career.html

UNSW Volunteer Work Expo

Careers and Employment

The purpose of the Volunteer Work Expo is to bring not-for-profit organisations and students together through presentations, panel discussions and company displays.

For further information please contact Registration: www.careers.unsw.edu.au on (02) 9385 5423 or visit http://www.careers.unsw.edu.au/
http://www.unsw.edu.au/events/db/2008/07/volunteer.html

Just some quick links to get you going on this, consider the following interfaces. They are all poised to make a considerable change in everyday experience.

Jeff Han (Multi-touch)

Fingertapps (the multi-touch company)

and of course the iPod touch/iPhone

One of my favourites – brain ball ..

EEG interfaces, as below, or here – the neural impulse activator …

or consider this rather interesting and beautifully simple project ..

or consider the history of the iPod and the Walkman that came before it …

one of the experts on this, Michael Bull, interviewed by Wired.

a criticism of the Walkman versus the Ghetto Blaster ..

Here’s an interesting new music video by Grace Jones. You can also read a very interesting discussion of it on Steven Shaviro’s blog (this is one of the most interesting “theory” blogs around).

Obscure tip from the early 1980s – listen to Grace Jones “Slave to the Rhythm” 45 at 33rpm, if you can find the vinyl around somewhere.

The very generous Chris Caines from UTS, thought we might be interested in this documentary he made – Thumb Candy: A blog based documentary about texting and SMS culture in the Philippines. In itself it’s a great example of a digital aesthetic. And of course it’s about a great example of the shift in everyday life involving digital media. So thanks Chris!

There are two great art exhibitions on you can see at the moment. There is the huge Sydney Biennale until September 7. This is in many locations – but the best place to start might be the Art Gallery of New South Wales (while you’re there you can check out the great collections of older art, of Asian art, as well as the more contemporary works). Then there’s a really interesting exhibition right at the heart of our interests – Mirror States, at the Campbelltown Art Centre until August 24.

In general, try and get out and about and see some art this session! It’s fun, it’s interesting and it will help you immensely in thinking through the issues we discuss on the course.

Welcome to the MEFT 3102 site. We’ll be looking at electronics, digital media and sensation. And we’ll be exploring these in both art and everyday life.

You be able to post here, both in (civil) discussion, and giving interesting links to others in the course. I’ll give more information in class.

And I’ll be adding links and information as we go, so come back here as often as you can.

I hope we have a lot of fun and learn heaps this session.

Andrew