Techno-Vernacular Creativity, Innovation & Learning
NATF Presenter: Nettrice R. Gaskins, PhD,
STEAM Lab Director, Boston Arts Academy
Definition
Techno-Vernacular Creativity (TVC) refers to cultural art and technology made by underrepresented ethnic groups (UEGs) – Indigenous, or African and Latino Diasporas – for their own entertainment and creative expression.
Introduction
Framework for Analysis
contextualize or place something in a new or different context
synthesize or see relationships between seemingly unrelated fields
syncretize or invent something new by combining elements nobody else thought to put together
Redeployment
Reconception
Re-creation
(Cosmograms) have been evident in West African cultures and have been elaborated upon, showing complex intricate patterns or simplified into abbreviated X’s, or even V’s implying an arc of travel or motion.
Crossroads
Example
The cypher is a figure that is based on the naturally occurring circle, or mandala
IntroductionExample
The circle (mandala or cosmogram) is one of several geometric elements used in art.
IntroductionExample
Fred Eversley creates sculptures that operate according to the optical principles of physics.
IntroductionExample
Fred Eversley creates sculptures that operate according to the optical principles of physics.
IntroductionExample
Vanessa Ramos-Velasquez worked with scientists to use tree rings to create narratives.
IntroductionExample
Vanessa Ramos-Velasquez worked with scientists to use tree rings to create narratives.
IntroductionExample
Ai Weiwei & Bert Benally collaborated on a site-specific work featuring mandalas.
IntroductionExample
Saya Woolfalk’s use of “simple geometric shapes and primary colors … encourage a transnational, un-xenophobic perspective that would lead us to open-minded future. “
IntroductionResearch & Practice
Mapping or diagramming— representing ideas in graphic form—is an important TVC characteristic that uses techniques such as remixing.
Research & Practice
Mapping or diagramming— representing ideas in graphic form—is an important TVC characteristic that uses techniques such as remixing.
Research & Practice
Production modes such as remixing have been integrated with the ethos of techno-culture (i.e., afrofuturism) that extends to computing. A CSDT was developed based on Bailey’s art.
Mandala CSDT developed with Libby Rodriguez and Ron Eglash/RPI. Artwork by Xenobia Bailey.
Research & Practice
Theoretical Framework & Prior Research
Artwork courtesy of John Biggers (top) and Nontsikelelo Mutiti (bottom).
Core Concept
Artists across many ethnic cultures use diagramming to redeploy and remix cultural artifacts such as quilting and hair braiding motifs to produce patterns.
Theoretical Framework & Prior Research
Artwork courtesy of Nontsikelelo Mutiti. Ruka CSDT courtesy of Ron Eglash/RPI.
The development of CSDTs to simulate artwork is promising in the domains of mathematics and electronic textiles
Core Concept
Contextual Model of Learning
Socio-Cultural Context
Personal ContextPhysical Context
Adapted from Falk, J.H. & Storksdieck, M. (2005)
Informal Learning Science ContextsMethod
Arts-Based Inquiry
Culturally Situated Design Arts-Based Learning Digital Media/Technology
Write/talk about the artist’s culture(s) in this work.
Write/talk about what you see in this art.
Write/talk about the type technology you used.
Write/talk about how this artist’s culture relates to your culture.
Write/talk about what comes to your mind when you look at this art.
Write/talk about how this technology can be used to create things you like.
Write/talk about how you felt about learning this artist’s culture.
Write/talk about how well you think you can make this art.
Write/talk about how you felt about using thesoftware.
Write/talk about what you liked and did not like about the artist’s culture.
Write/talk about how this art is similar to other art you like.
Write/talk about what you liked and did not like about the software.
Attention
Relevance
Confidence
Satisfaction
Personal Context Physical Context Socio-Cultural Context
Informal Science Learning ContextsMethod
Participants explored diagramming, collage and repetition with math concepts such as rotation and translation.
Results
ResultsReferences
• 360° by Vanessa Ramos-Velasquez: http://digital.udk-berlin.de/?/students/ramos-velasquez-vanessa/projects/ws13-14.360degrees
• Mandala of the B-Bodhisattva II by Sanford Biggers with David Ellis: http://vimeo.com/26402249
• Sanford Biggers: Sweet Funk—An Introspective: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttmuBeFHYII
• T I M E (Temporary Installations Made for the Environment) 2014 with Bert Benally& Ai Weiwei: http://vimeo.com/100511819
• Xenobia Bailey's Amazing Art & John Coltrane: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzOa4ce5DJ8
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