[ISEA2013] Abstract: Barbara Rauch – Facing Affect: Synthetic Interface & Meaning

Panel Statement

Panel: Sensation, Meaning and Affect in the work of art / science / technology collaborations

Keywords: Creative emotions, emotional creativity, feeling, affect, ensation and meaning, facial interfaces.

This paper describes a practice-led research project that addresses issues of emotional creativity and affect. A series of three-dimensional works were developed to discuss and demonstrate an exciting moment of new tangentiality; and an understanding of the emotional face as interface evolved. With this research a crossover zone was explored, where computer technology affects the material realm and where digitally driven processes interact with traditional ones, describing a hybrid practice. The practice aims to reflect on an interdisciplinary research process, including the study of creativity and synthetic emotions. This research is carried out in collaboration with the Digital Media Research Innovation Institute at OCAD University in Toronto, and the Rapidform Print Research department at the Royal College of Art in London.

  • Barbara Rauch, Faculty of Art and School of Interdisciplinary Studies, Ontario College of Art and Design, Toronto, Canada. Dr. Barbara Rauch is an artist practitioner and research academic. She is a Digital Futures Initiative hire, in a tenure-track position at OCAD University, Toronto in the School of Interdisciplinary Studies and Graduate Studies. Rauch is the Graduate Program Director for the Interdisciplinary Masters Program in Art, Media & Design (IAMD), and the Principal Investigator of the e_Motion Research Project in the Digital Media Research and Innovation Institute, researching the development of emotion with the facilitation of data analysis, using advanced technology in 3D printing, sculpting and analysis. “In the lab we aim to designate an alternative format of acknowledging research by instigating discourse around the topic of emotion, feeling and affect in artistic practice. Situating ourselves in an academic and interdisciplinary research- and practice-led environment, we consider the ‘studio’ as a geographic and emotional location in which process and production takes place. Through practice-led research, we connect current studio practices to reflexive, visual analysis, as a transformative research methodology.”

Full text (PDF) p. 330-332