E-Textiles: Interactive Projects for the Jacquard Loom

Techniques and technology from the field of Jacquard weaving and Wearable Computing will be implemented to create projects on the digital TC-1 loom. Interactive weavings will be produced by integrating technology consisting of conductive materials, electronics, and microcontrollers into hand-woven constructions. The course seeks to address hybrid art praxis through the use of everything from pre-historic to cutting-edge technology. Techniques covered in this course will include an introduction everything from making your own electronics from scratch to learning to weave using Photoshop together with the digital Jacquard Loom. Laptop is required.

Course Fee and Weaving Equipment

Student will pay a $30 materials fee at the beginning of the semester.  This fee will cover the cost of the communal warp on the TC-1, most weft yarns, the course reader and other equipment for use in class such as shuttles, bobbins and sleigh hooks.  Additionally, students will need to purchase a packet of supplies from the ATS department. These supplies will be used in projects throughout the semester. Students in the class should be aware that they are sharing ONE loom and that they are expected to maintain the loom and promptly attend to problems (such as broken warp threads) when they arise.  A class phone list will be handed out at the beginning of the semester so that students can notify one another of scheduling or maintenance problems.

Additional Supplies - please bring to every class session:

USB storage device or CD-/RW, Notebook, Scissors, T-pins, Needles, Measuring Tape or Ruler

Projects and Critiques:

We will have 3 smaller-scale projects that focus on technical aspects of using electronics and the Jacquard loom.  Each project will have an open-ended conceptual direction, which students should use to direct their technical exploration.  We will talk about and informally critique each of these projects as they come off the loom.  The last month of class will be devoted to larger-scale final projects.  Each student will conceive of and execute a final project that relates to his or her own body of work or method of inquiry.  The technical and conceptual components of the final project should be fully considered to create a cohesive finished work (or series of pieces).

Critiques:

Attendance and participation in critiques is mandatory even if your project is not complete. You cannot receive credit for this course if you miss a critique unless it is for a documented medical reason.

Attendance:

Attendance in class is mandatory, even on workdays.  If you are not able to attend class for any reason, you must notify me via email or telephone (contact information above).  Attendance will be taken each morning at 9:15 AM.  Three absences or six late arrivals will result in no credit for the course.  I expect that you will be prepared to work the entire duration of class – this means bringing all necessary tools and materials to class.

Weekly Readings and Class Blog:

There will be several short readings assigned over the course of the semester that will be discussed each class meeting.  Each week, 1 or 2 different students will be in charge of leading the discussion about that reading.  They will be responsible for bringing up key points raised in the articles and posing questions to the group for discussion. That student should pass out a list of key points for discussion to the class. The class will also maintain a blog where students will be required to post results of their own projects as well as the work of other artists and makers. There are weekly assignments for blog postings. Active participation in both the reading discussions and blog is required to receive credit for this class.

Loom Access and Technical Assitance:

You may weave on the TC-1 during the other classes that are held in 905 however, please be respectful if an instructor asks you to stop while they give a demonstration or lecture. The loom is reserved on a first-come first-served basis by signing up online the calendar on the portal. Weekly maintenance will be performed on the loom by Janette Ramirez. Please direct any technical questions and/or problems with the loom to Janette at jramirez1[at]saic[dot]edu. She will be in the department Monday-Friday from 8:30-4 and is, unless otherwise occupied, available to answer questions or troubleshoot problems with the loom during those times. Loom Maintenance: Tuesdays 8:30-9:00AM.

Loom Log:

For continuity outside of class, there will be a notebook, kept by the loom, for students to learn about any existing problems with the loom (e.g.: broken threads). Every time the loom is used outside of class, students should sign in and note any problems, concerns or corrections on the loom.

Accomodations for Students with Disabilities:

If you have a disability and may need an accommodation, please contact
SAIC's Disability and Learning Resource Center (DLRC) by calling 312-499-4278, or by e-mailing dlrc[at]saic[dot]edu. You should contact DLRC as early in the semester as possible. Staff at the DLRC will review your disability documentation and work with you to determine appropriate accommodations.  They will then provide you with a letter outlining approved accommodations, which must be presented to me before any accommodations will be implemented.

Statement on Plaigerism:

The School of the Art Institute of Chicago prohibits academic misconduct, which includes "both plagiarism and cheating, and may consist of the submission of the work of another as one's own; unauthorized assistance on a test or assignment; submission of the same work for more than one class without the knowledge and consent of all instructors; or the failure to properly cite texts or ideas from other sources" (Students' Rights and Responsibilities, Student Handbook, http://www.saic.edu/pdf/life/pdf_files/rights.pdf).
Plagiarism is a form of intellectual theft. One can plagiarize even if one does not intend to. The penalty for plagiarizing may range from failure on the specific plagiarized assignment to failure in the class. Repeat offenses can lead to disciplinary action, which could include suspension or expulsion from the School. The Faculty Senate Student Life Subcommittee has prepared a 28-page handbook entitled Plagiarism: How to Recognize It and Avoid It.  The document is available online on at http://www.saic.edu/webspaces/portal/library/plagiarism_packet.pdf.