Society. Spaces. Screens
Abstract
In an effort to explore creative and artistic interactivity of urban space, the City of Albuquerque NM Public Art Program with a National Endowment for the Arts grant, funded 10 local artists to attend a 10-week intensive Internet of Things (IoT) course at the Central New Mexico Community College (CNM). In the course designed to fuse technology and art, the artists learned wireless technologies, programming, electronics, circuit design, and 3D modeling skills. The artists then created prototype works of temporary public art designed for highly interactive community engagement along the emerging “Rail Trail” throughout Albuquerque’s core downtown and historic neighborhoods. Albuquerque’s Department of Innovation and Technology (DTI) Smart City initiative is the framework for the program. Each of the artists’ prototypes used open source environmental or other socio-political data to drive their temporary public art installations using basic technology and coding. From sculpturally displaying Rio Grande water levels and migratory bird flight populations, to temperature and light analysis to trigger railroad crossing safety warning, to a playful, multi-person scale Theremin, the artists with little previous tech experience created highly engaged and beautiful objects intended to be scaled up for fabrication and installation upon the emerging Rail Trail construction. The ten artists expressed life changing experiences for their creative and professional careers from the 10-week course and technology application in the public realm. While the works were designed for outdoor spaces, an indoor gallery exhibition of all ten works held at Albuquerque City Hall Gallery One provided a focused opportunity for public experience and feedback. The three authors intend to present in person on the major elements of the project, space(training + data + engagement)=case study, but can accommodate a virtual format.
Sherri Brueggemann, MPA is a nearly three-decades long public arts administrator. Sherri has served on numerous boards including the Public Art Network with Americans for the Arts (AFTA), the NM Rt. 66 Association, the Albuquerque Arts Alliance and is a Spaceport America Ambassador. Sherri is the primary co-founder of the InterGalactic Cultural Relations Institute and is a citizen of Asgardia, The Space Nation. She has presented wildly varied arts and cultural topics at numerous conferences including AFTA, the NYC Chapter of American Institute of Architects, Global Ties, and Imagine America.
Brian Rashap, Ph.D. lead instructor for Internet of Things and Rapid Prototyping immersive course at CNM. Prior to being the GM of Corporate Services for the Americas Region at Intel, Brian received his B.S.E., M.S.E. and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Michigan. His doctoral work focused on the application of Control Theory to improving semiconductor manufacturing processes. He worked at the NASA Langley Research Center controlling large, unmanned space structures. Brian has been involved in helping entrepreneurs start and grow businesses. He is a board member of a Santa Fe-based start-up accelerator for cultural entrepreneurs.
Mark Leech became the Deputy Director of the Department of Technology and Innovation for the City of Albuquerque in 2019. Prior to that he managed the Albuquerque Police Department Technical Services Unit. Between 2008 and 2016 he led the City’s efforts in open data, transparency and innovation. As a software developer, he has worked extensively in both public and private sectors. Leech is currently leading the department in collaborations with local educational institutions and tech companies in support of Smart City initiatives. In 2015 Mark was awarded the prestigious William Dixon First Amendment Award by the New Mexico Foundation for Open Government for his open data work. Mark moved from England to New Mexico in 2002 and holds an MSc. in Information Systems Engineering from the University of Wolverhampton, England.