Thursday, May 10, 2007

Blending art and technology

Who would have know? A predominantly academic-styled master's program ("technology applications") has escalated into mayhem, justifing its presence within the School of the Arts. ("School of the Smarts")

"Interactive" applications strive forward, with technology meeting art, education, and public service. This is part of that relentless push of the new challenging the old--from visual acceptance to psychology and nerves. I spent the better part of the evening at the Interactive Telecommunications Program (better known as Red Burns' ITP) at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts. If it wasn't a bag-toting wheel chair to help disabled people manage their carry-alongs, it was a language tutoring program that adapts your conversation to the lessons, or a smell-sensory umbrella that helps you relive someone else's memories. And more, oh so much more...
I'll have to add them in the next day or two, if anyone is really interested.