Computational Arts News

Amir Bahador Rostami is a multidisciplinary digital media artist. In a collaboration with his sister Elahe, a Masters student in Computational Arts, Rostami recently exhibited an original work at "Remote Realities", which is an artist-in-residency program hosted by Trinity Square Video and Dames Making Games. In his short time at York, Rostami has had a rich experience in digital media making and professional opportunities.

I hope this message finds you healthy and safe as we all continue to endure the challenges of COVID-19. If you’re reading this, you’ve already achieved more than many thought possible.

Digital concerts, digital seminars, digital this, digital that. With everything going digital, new avenues and opportunities are opening everywhere in the professional and academic domains of Digital Media. Our Department of Computational Arts recognizes this acutely, and they are seizing this moment to bring their culture of innovation into these new challenges. This term, they have announced a new curatorial theme for the school year.

I hope this message finds you and your families and communities in good health and spirits during the current circumstances. I know that the conditions necessitated by COVID-19 have lasted much longer than expected and I am grateful for your continued resilience and widespread generosity shown by people throughout AMPD over the past six months.

Another school year has come to an end, which means it is time to celebrate and send-off our graduating class as they prepare themselves for the next stage of their careers.

These are truly extraordinary circumstances. In any other year, we would gather in the large Centre of Excellence at the Aviva Centre, surrounded by family and friends. There would be hugs, high fives, and photo opportunities. But even though the love cannot be shared in-person, we want the Class of 2020 to know that we hold them deeply in our hearts.

Last week, President Rhonda Lenton wrote to the York community about the University’s planning for the fall academic term. That message emphasized adherence to public health and safety and access to courses so that students can progress in their programs. The message also noted the potential for select experiential activities on campus. As explained in that communication, courses will clearly state whether on-campus activities may be required.

The School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design (AMPD) at York University produces cutting edge research-creation projects that bring together seemingly disparate disciplines – art, mathematics, philosophy, music and virtual reality (VR) – in astonishing ways. With a lab that focuses on “computational worldmaking,” how could it fail to capture imaginations everywhere?

Alison Humphrey, Ph.D. candidate in Cinema and Media Arts has created Shadowpox: #StayHome Edition, an interactive videogame to communicate the importance of staying at home. This version is adapted from the previous version of the project developed with Professor Caitlin Fisher (CMA), Professor Steven J. Hoffman of the Faculty of Health and Osgoode Hall Law School, director of the Global Strategy Lab, and scientific director of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research’s Institute of Population & Public Health; and technical director LaLaine Ulit-Destajo, alumna of Digital Media in AMPD.