[ISEA2015] Paper: Jill Scott – ESKIN: Disruptive potentials for Transdisplinary Teams

Abstract (Long paper)

Keywords: Visually impaired users, art and science, wearable interfaces, tactile and sound perception.

«eskin» has been influenced by working with researchers in artificial intelligence, neuroscience and wearable computing who examine tactile perception, embodiment and brain plasticity. In this article I trace the inspirations, the challenges and the outcomes of this project with various scientists and technicians on the development of a prototype and the problems that evolved. What happens when the aims of projects are not clearly defined from the beginning of the project or when the funding is not adequate? It seems that experiment building in trans-disciplinary teams can be both, engaging as well as disruptively disengaging for artists and for users. This paper shows how the processes of production itself can either be encouraged by creative user engagement or driven by passions of artistic inquiry or stalled by disciplinary traditions and problems of communication.

  • Dr. Jill Scott is professor for Art and Science Research in the Institute Cultural Studies in the Arts, Zurich University of the Arts (ZhdK), Switzerland, Founder of the Artists-in-Labs
    Program and Vice Director of the Z-Node PHD program on art and science at the University of Plymouth, UK. Her recent publications include: Neuromedia: Art and Science Research with Esther Stöckli (2012), The Transdiscourse book series:Vol.1: Mediated Enviroments, (2011), Artists-in-labs: Networking in the Margins (2011) and Artists-inlabs: Processes of Inquiry (2006). All publications are with Springer Press. Her artwork spans 38 years of production about the human body, behaviour and body politics. In the last 10 years she has focused on creative media art experiments about neuroscience, ecology and sensory perception resulting in the construction of interactive mediated sculptures based on studies she has conducted in collaboration with the University of Zurich.  jillscott.org   artistsinlabs.ch   z-node.net

Full text (PDF) p. 650-654