TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2021
1:30 p.m. MST via Zoom.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Since 2012, artist Ian Cheng has produced a series of simulations exploring an agent’s capacity to deal with an ever-changing environment. These works culminated in the Emissaries trilogy, which introduced a narrative agent whose motivation to enact a story was set into conflict with the open-ended chaos of the simulation. Recently, he has developed BOB (Bag of Beliefs), an AI creature whose personality, body, and life story evolve across exhibitions, what Cheng calls “art with a nervous system.” He is currently developing a real-time anime miniseries called Life After BOB. Learn more about Cheng and his work here.
ABOUT THE ARTIST TALK
Worlding
Tuesday, October 5, 2021
1:30 p.m. MST
Via Zoom
This event is free and open to the public.
What is a World? How do I create a World? How do I keep a World alive? And when should I let it go? There is an unnatural art emerging, ripe for our strange and complex times: Worlding.
In his ATTENTION Series Artist Talk, Ian Cheng will bring our attention to the topic that has been at the center of his work and research, Worlding. Cheng will explore ideas about Worlding through a tour of his recent works including the AI-driven artificial life BOB (Bag of Beliefs) and his latest project, Life After BOB, an anime miniseries produced using the Unity videogame engine.
Next Day Q+A
Wednesday, October 6, 2021
11:45am – 12:45pm MST
Via Zoom
RMCAD students, faculty, and staff are invited to join us for a casual conversation with visiting artist Ian Cheng. Take this opportunity to ask questions about Cheng’s work, career, and get professional advice from this accomplished and innovative contemporary artist.
Be sure to learn more about Ian and his work by attending his Artist Talk on October 5, 2021.
Class Visit with Ian Cheng
Wednesday, October 6, 2021
VASD Program artist Ian Cheng will visit the Character + Level Design class in the Game Art Department as part of his visit. Students in this class will have the phenomenal opportunity to talk to Cheng about the narrative agents he developed in the Emissaries trilogy and his recent AI creature BOB (Bag of Beliefs).
Recommendation List
Morning Pages developed by Julia Cameron (writing exercise)
Impro by Keith Johnstone (book)
What Do You Say After You Say Hello? by Eric Berne (book)
“The Key To Act Two” by Venkatesh Rao (online article)
Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud (comics)
Carrier Bag Theory of Fiction by Ursula Le Guin (book)
Succession, Jesse Armstrong Creator/Executive Producer (HBO series)
Watchmen, Damon Lindelof Writer/Producer (HBO series)
Princess Mononoke by Hayao Miyazaki (animated film)
Symbol by Susumu Yokota (album)
The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of The Bicameral Mind by Julian Jaynes (book)
Tesla AI Day: www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0z4FweCy4M
Image Credits: Courtesy of the artist.
Website and Social:
Instagram: @eyecheng
