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

Introduction

Artist Sanford Biggers was the creative inspiration for my research project.

Introduction

Sanford Biggers’ “Mandala of the B-Bodhisattva II.”

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

Taxonomy

Cosmogram courtesy of Duane Deterville; Native American Medicine Wheel; Buddhist mandala

(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

The mandala/cosmogram figures prominently in Sanford Biggers’ work.

IntroductionExamples

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

MethodologyMethod

Participants explored diagramming, collage and repetition with math concepts such as rotation and translation.

Results

ResultsResults

ResultsResults

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