Research

ADRI Spring 2018 Dialogue topics range from forensic art to synthetic biology

ADRI Dialogues are lunchtime (noon–1 p.m.) talks exploring the interdisciplinary space in arts research. Credit: Penn StateCreative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — On Tuesday, Jan. 16, the Arts and Design Research Incubator (ADRI) resumes the lunchtime “Dialogues” series with “Forensic Artists: Modern Methods and Tools,” presented by Jenny Kenyon, ADRI research associate and forensic artist.

Kenyon will discuss how classical techniques are being melded with high-tech alternatives to create facial reconstructions, composite sketches, and crime scene recreations. This talk will introduce Kenyon’s weeklong forensic art exhibition "Beyond Bones and 'CSI': The Modern Role of the Forensic Artist," to be held at the ADRI Jan. 15-19 from noon to 3 p.m. each day.

ADRI Dialogues are lunchtime (noon–1 p.m.) talks exploring the interdisciplinary space in arts research. Additional dialogues throughout the semester will address analysis tools for video remixes, assistive technology using 3-D printing, embodied mindfulness practice, synthetic biology research, walking as an artful and embodied research practice, dance and community dwelling spaces, and art expressing critical analysis of societal issues around reproduction and gender identity.

The full list of ADRI Dialogues for spring 2018 appears below. All take place at the ADRI (16 Borland Building) and are free and open to the public.

Forensic Artists: Modern Methods and Tools

Tuesday, Jan. 16

Jenny Kenyon, ADRI research associate, forensic artist, AMI, IMA, AIA

The modern forensic artist uses tools well beyond pencil and paper. Come and see how classical techniques are being melded with high-tech alternatives to create facial reconstructions, composite sketches and crime scene recreations.

Anime Music Video (AMV): Data-Visualization Methods and Analysis Procedures for Video Remixes

Tuesday, Feb. 6

Eduardo de Moura Almeida, doctoral candidate in the Applied Linguistics Department of the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), São Paulo, Brazil and ADRI Visiting Scholar

This presentation will introduce and review the audiovisual data-set and data-visualization methods developed to analyze video remixes — anime music videos (AMVs). The aim is to integrate a qualitative methodology according to Bakhtin's theory of architectonics and a quantitative methodology based on media visualization techniques and statistical distributions.

Exploring Tactility as Assistive Technology Using 3-D Printing

Tuesday, Feb. 13

Aaron Knochel, assistant professor of art education

This presentation will examine the development of tactile graphics using 3-D printing to assist learners with multisensory comprehension of visual content in an arts learning context. The discussion will explore issues such as multimodal learning in disability studies, assistive technologies, and digital fabrication in curriculum. 

Practicing Presence

Tuesday, Feb. 27

Elisha Clark Halpin, associate director for instruction, School of Theatre

A chat about the intersection of the mind and body through the lens of embodied mindfulness. We will practice presence together as we demystify somatics exercises and engage the first two steps of the Neurosculpting process.

New Mediums of Life

Tuesday, March 20

Orkan Telhan, associate professor of fine arts, emerging design practices, University of Pennsylvania

Telhan’s research focuses on bridging theories of design and computation with artificial life and synthetic biology research. His work investigates the epistemic origins of making and manipulating life with a focus on the artistic, cultural and ethical implications of living, semi-living and life-like artifacts. In this talk, Telhan will discuss a series of design experiments that interrogate life sciences at different levels from the biosynthesis of endangered molecules to microbial prosthetics, and alternative design tools that network algorithms, organisms and people.

StoryWalks: Entangling Movement, Narrative and Place for an Embodied Research Practice

Tuesday, March 27

Kimberly Powell, associate professor of education, art education, and Asian studies

Powell will discuss her four-year walking research project, "StoryWalks," and the ways in which walking can be an artful and embodied research practice of placemaking, storytelling and inquiry into issues of community identity, history and social vision.

Space and Place in Dance Making: Current Projects

Tuesday, April 3

Michele Dunleavy, associate professor of dance, and Jeanmarie Higgins, associate professor of theatre

Dunleavy will discuss how current research on place and dwelling has informed her project, "Steel Valley Rhythms." Higgins will discuss the production of community spaces through dance in the Penn State Nelken Line Project. 

Ex-Utero: The Future of Human Reproduction

Tuesday, April 10

Cristin Millett, professor of art

Exploding traditional disciplinary boundaries, Millett’s investigations of medicine and its history are integral to her artistic process. Her research stems from her childhood growing up in a medical household where discussions focused on the human body. Whereas most scholars respond to their research through writing, Millett expresses the results of her critical analysis by creating works of art. She reinvents established methods of sculpture by incorporating new advances in digital technology, including CNC machining, 3-D printing and robotics, with the time-honored practices of stone carving and bronze casting. This talk will illuminate Millett’s investigations of medicine and its history and explore how her objects and installations prompt a contemporary cultural critique of societal issues surrounding reproduction and gender identity.

The Arts and Design Research Incubator (ADRI) provides support for high-impact arts and design research projects. All programs are free and open to the public and, unless otherwise noted, take place in the ADRI, 16 Borland Building.

For more information and to view the full listing of dialogues, workshops and events, visit http://adri.psu.edu/calendar and connect with Penn State ADRI on Facebook.

Orkan Telhan’s research focuses on bridging theories of design and computation with artificial life and synthetic biology research. His work investigates the epistemic origins of making and manipulating life with a focus on the artistic, cultural, and ethical implications of living, semi-living, and life-like artifacts.  Credit: Penn StateCreative Commons

Last Updated January 4, 2018

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