if Super Smash Ultimate is still gnawing at your downtime, here’s an opportunity to make your button-mashing urges into a learning opportunity. Naomi Wu has a new video this week digging into the Odroid Go kit for building a retro gaming handheld:
as always, if you’re on the fence about buying some hardware components, she’s a great resource for sussing out if it’s legit!
resource roundup!
this post by Linden Reid is specifically about how to have the best experience possible at a game jam, but the advice is super solid and can be applied to any high pressure/time constrained creative challenge. the #1 tip? CUT SCOPE. always cut the scope!!!! and always bring healthy snax! if you’re interested in working with graphics in Unity, Linden’s blog is also full of great demos and tutorials. you can also check out the results of Linden’s latest game jam experience, Bun Bao Beat.
here’s a tutorial for using regular old Javascript to simulate orbiting planets. neat! it’s a pretty accessible approach to orbital mechanics that achieves some cool results without going too far beyond high-school mathematics. why not make a Sunday afternoon of it?
I remember seeing some of this drama unfold on hardware Twitter as a potent example of how the good intentions of open-source work can put you in a position of someone else taking advantage of your hard work with a patent. it’s cool to see inventor Jie Qi spin it into something positive with her Patent Pandas project. if you’re sharing your work online, it’s worth checking out her resources for understanding the patent system.
this Adafruit tutorial upcycles an old Astrolite building toy set with a few NeoPixels and a servo motor to make a glowing fantasy future city. it’s a wonder what a few LEDs can do for a box of old junk from a thrift store. the final project reminds me of Mike Kelley’s Kandor sculptures.
I had no idea that GitHub has a ton of their own resources for getting started. here’s a nice list of some highlights! dig in and finally fork that open source project you bookmarked 6 months ago.
opportunities:
Pioneer Works is accepting applications for their 2019-2020 Technology Residency. this is a 12 week residency that supports creatives through access to advanced tools, practiced engineers, and connection to a larger multidisciplinary community. the deadline is February 15 so get cracking!
applications for The Strange’s Decelerator are also due on February 15! this is a new retreat/residency hybrid offering “creative internet people” the chance to focus on their work from a beautiful Catskills location. “We expect Decelerator residents to work on strategic planning, project-related research, and other work that will help you slow down and make progress towards your overall creative vision.” this is a legit free residency that sounds like a great low-pressure opportunity to recenter your work. apply here!
? upcoming events!
Thursday January 31! Supplyframe / Hackaday! San Francisco USA: HDDG is back with a night focused on biomedical engineering. if you’re in SF you can swing by 500 3rd St, Suite 230 for talks by Jean Rintoul and Beau Ambur, as well as a chance to demo some hardware! RSVP on Meetup. I’m aiming to check this one out, so come through and say hi!
February 9 – 10! NYC USA: Eyebeam presents Refiguring the Future: an exhibition and conference grappling with the marginalizing states of technology, curated by REFRESH. This is 2 days of talks, hands-on learning, performances, screenings and more across 2 venues. You can (and should) get tickets on Eventbrite.
Wednesday February 13! Whitney Museum of American Art! NYC USA: artists Jonah Brucker-Cohen, Katherine Moriwaki, and Tamiko Thiel along with media historian and theorist Erkki Huhtamo will explore the evolution of virtual and algorithmic practices in a panel discussion in conjunction with Programmed: Rules, Codes, and Choreographies in Art (which you should also check out if you are in the area!!!). the event is free with RSVP.
now thru March 2019! And/Or Gallery! Pasadena, CA USA: And/Or’s current exhibition, Video Game Art 1970-2005, has been extended until March 2019. it includes work by Cory Arcangel, Myfanwy Ashmore, John Horton Conway, JODI, Joan Leandre, David Maynard, Penne and Teller, and Michael Smith as well as rare games on loan from the Supercade collection. looks worth checking out if you’re in the area!
just for lulz
is it just me or does every day so far in 2019 feel like it’s at least 30 hours long? I hope y’all are finding some moments to feel creative and reflect. I’m just trying to find time to wash my hair!
*~housekeeping~*
as always, submit to the open artist call if you have anything in the works that you are excited about! and if you have an event or opportunity to promote (anywhere), please send me all the details. the next newsletter will cover the week of February 4 to 10, but I’m happy to promote events further in the future as well and keep them on the calendar.
I will also be offline from Feb 13 – 18, so if you have anything to promote for the week of Feb 18 – 24, send it in before the 12th!
