• interactive video installations • interactive sound installations • interactive light installations • interactive video performances • VJ • interactive music • sound-image correspondence • aesthetics and interactive art •

There will be no more workshops in Berlin as of September 2013. Many thanks to everyone who participated in past workshops or expressed interest in future offerings. Don Ritter

Presented by Don Ritter at Aesthetic Machinery • summer 2012

Aesthetic Machinery presents a collection of intensive workshops on the creation of interactive art environments, including interactive video installations, interactive sound installations, interactive light installations, interactive video performances, and interactive music. Participants learn the conceptual and technical basis of interactive art, obtain hands-on experience with various interactive technologies and programming, and have the opportunity to create an independent project. The workshops are open to international students, artists, designers and academics, and the language of instruction is English. The workshops are presented by artist and professor Don Ritter in Berlin. Four participants will be accepted into each workshop.

Workshop topics include digital video, digital audio, interactive systems, sensors, interfaces, sensing systems, interactive video, interactive audio, interactive lighting, interactive programming, multi-channel audio, multi-channel video, and high definition(HD) video.

Interactive Environments Workshop
This workshop provides an overview of the practical and conceptual elements within interactive installations and interactive performances. Specific topics include conceptual design, visualizing the project, digital video, digital audio, interactive systems, sensing systems, interfaces, interactive video, interactive audio, interactive lighting, interactive programming, multi-channel audio, multi-channel video, and high definition video. Computers, audio and video equipment will be provided, except for headphones. Prerequisite: participants should have a small amount of familiarity with installation and performance art, and computer, audio and video technologies.
duration: 20 hours over 4 days, with a one hour lunch break
dates: TBA
fee: 300 euro


Advanced Workshop: Programming Interactive Environments with Isadora
Participants learn how to use Troika Tronix’s Isadora programming language for creating interactive installations and performances. The workshop provides detailed information on creating multi-channel interactive video, audio and light environments controlled by body position, voice, music, or any form of data. Equipment will be provided, but participants can provide their own computer for a reduced workshop fee. Prerequisite: Interactive Environments Workshop, or moderate experience with interactive technologies, video and audio.
duration: 20 hours over 4 days, with a one hour lunch break
dates: TBA
fee: 350 euro or 300 euro if participant provides own computer


Advanced Workshop: Programming Interactive Environments with Max
Participants learn how to use Cycling74’s Max programming language for creating interactive installations and performances. The workshop provides detailed information on creating multi-channel interactive video and audio environments controlled by body position, voice, music, or any form of data. Prerequisite: Interactive Environments Workshop, Programming Interactive Environments with Isadora, or moderate experience with interactive technologies, video, audio, and programming. Equipment will be provided, but participants can provide their own computer for a reduced fee.
duration: 20 hours over 4 days, with a one hour lunch break
dates: TBA
fee: 350 euro or 300 euro if participant provides own computer


Advanced Workshop: Independent Project
Participants pursue an interactive art project of their choosing under the advice of Don Ritter, while receiving feedback from other workshop participants. Some equipment will be provided, but participants can provide their own computer for a reduced fee. Prerequisite: Interactive Environments Workshop, a Programming Interactive Environments workshop, or moderate experience with interactive technologies, video, audio,and programming.
duration: 20 hours over 4 days, or 40 hours over 8 days, with a one hour lunch break
dates: TBA
fee: 350 euro per session or 300 euro per session if participant provides own computer


The Aesthetics of Interactive Installations
This one-day workshop provides theoretical background on the relationships between interactive installations, aesthetics, and ethics. Participants will discuss the various decisions involved in the creation and experience of interactive installations. Topics include the process of aesthetic judgement, influences and consequences of aesthetic judgments, and the ethics of creating and experiencing interactive installations. No prerequisite.
duration: 4 hours over 1 day, with a one hour lunch break
dates: TBA
fee: 50 euro