Japan Game Studies 2013

April 5, 2013 in GRAND NCE, human computer interaction research, location-based games, PLAYPR

In May we will be attending the International Conference on Japan Game Studies at Ritsumeikan University, Kyoto, Japan.

This conference is collaboratively organized by Ritsumeikan Center for Game Studies, the Prince Takamado Japan Centre, and the Canadian Institute for Research Computing in the Arts, through the University of Alberta with support from the GRAND Network of Centres of Excellence.

The conference is the second collaboratively organized conference focusing broadly on Japanese game culture, education and industry. We will be presenting research from the Interaction Design Research Centre (IDRC) and the Connections Lab, SFU on the various ethnographic methods used to compare the design process to the participant’s experienc of location-based games. This cross-analysis has lead to a deeper understanding of how people engage with the cultural phenomena of play, and more importantly – meaning.

For more information visit the conference website at www.ptjc.ualberta.ca

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Crafting Interactive Systems

March 15, 2013 in arts research, human computer interaction research

I’m looking forward to attending the Crafting Interactive Systems: Learning from Digital Art Practice workshop at CHI 2013, Paris, France this April!

The workshop will bring together participants from a variety of disciplines and backgrounds, including art, music, design, and engineering to discuss how the technological aspects of digital art function as an artistic consideration, facilitating both social and cultural considerations. This is important, because never before has it been more relevant for interdisciplinary, team-based approaches are required in solving some of today’s digital problems.

Information about the workshop and organizers can be found at http://di.ncl.ac.uk/digitalartpractice/

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GRAND 2013 Conference

March 10, 2013 in arts research, GRAND NCE, PLAYPR

This year I’ll be attending the GRAND 2013 conference in Toronto! As the Graduate Student and Postdoc Committee (GSPC) Vice Chair I’m looking forward to meeting other researchers and learning more about the day-to-day challenges and accomplishments of working within the network.

The program has listed a number of very exciting research notes presentations and workshops, I’m particularly looking forward to attending Jane McGonigal’s keynote address on Tuesday May 14, 2013 at the Metro Toronto Conference Centre. The Women in Games panel with speakers Brenda Baily Gershkovitch, CEO, Silicon Sisters Interactive Inc. and Jennifer Jenson, Professor, Pedagogy and Technology, York University will also be pivotal in supporting more discussion on the role of gender and the cultural applications of games.

Since 2011, I’ve worked with GRAND NCE, under the GamSim theme, as a PLAYPR/GAMEFIT – HQP. You can read more about GRAND NCE 2013 on the conference website.

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Babylonia Experiment

August 14, 2012 in 2012 Proposals

Babylonia is a SMS drama created by Radix Theatre, that explores the philosophical implications of mind-uploading and questions if humanity hasn’t already begun the transition.

We are getting ready to conduct another Babylonia experiment on Friday, September 21, 2012 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA. Contact us if you are interested in being a participant

Babylonia uses SMS messages to extend the performance space onto your phone and into your cerebral cortex. Hacker Jordon Mappethorpe makes his way into your life by inviting you to leave voice messages in response to his text. Jordon’s life is similar to yours with the exception that he has completed the mind mapping process and is now living in the virtual world. The drama concludes with an invitation to a live performance where you will meet all who have participated for a mind-mapping upload session.

Read more about the Babylonia research project >

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Talking Poles

August 25, 2011 in Uncategorized

The Talking Poles project comes to a close. In March 2008, we submitted a proposal to build two interactive Talking Poles – public artworks that would play back residents’ words, music and laughter. Our proposal was accepted, and we began the process of fabricating the Poles and planning design strategies for engaging local residents. The Poles are steel structures decorated with a vinyl mural displaying the thematic imagery. The electronic components are powered by a solar panel located in the top cone of each pole. Audio recordings of local residents’ voices range in length from 30-90 seconds and play back from an MP3 player housed inside a metal cone above each Pole, read more >

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