Understanding and Transforming Movement in Digital Spaces is a workshop to learn about 3D modeling and animation tools in relationship to race, gender, and culture. 

This workshop explores issues of cultural representation and exploitation through readings and discussions while also providing an introduction to motion capture, rigging and 3D environments. Core elements of the workshop integrate performance, extended reality, and physical computing to question access, control and representation.

To date this workshop has been given at Eyebeam, Afrotectopia, Pioneer Works, Barbarian Group, Columbia, Barnard College, City College, PBS POV and A Blade of Grass.

In this 6 week course students will :

1. Ideate projects using Motion Capture, Rigging and Modeling tools.

2. Build 3D environments / and video installations using Blender, video editing software.

3. Discuss and brainstorm ways to make technology more inclusive.

Week One : Embodiment, Movement and the History of Race in Motion Capture and animation.

Week Two : Motion Witnessing/capture using different technologies. (in person and online)

Week Three : Who owns movement? "Brief" history of intellectual property, dance, and likeness. Intro to modeling 3D Avatars in Makehuman and DAZ.

Week Four : Intro to rigging, remixing, and retargeting motion capture data to 3D characters in Blender

Week Five :  World Building, Worlding, and Speculative Futures. 3D modeling environments in Blender

Week Six :  World Building, Worlding, and Speculative Futures continued - Rendering and editing video from Blender

Note: This class is $500 for 6 weeks and will be held on ZOOM. from April 22nd to June 5th I am offering 2 sections from 6:00pm-9:00pm EST on Tuesday and Thursday with an 8 person cap each day! You will need a computer that can install Blender, and Makehuman. You will also need a journal. There will also be moments for light movement/embodiment exercises, so please wear comfortable clothing!

Sign up for online classes here : UT Workshops Spring 2025