What will you learn?

Lesson 1 – Introduction and Setting the Stage

We kick off the course by exploring what it means to work with robots in an artistic context. Rather than seeing them as tools for automation, we will think about them as creative agents that reshape interaction and experience. Key concepts like quasi-interaction and parallel interaction will be introduced, challenging common ideas about how humans and machines engage with each other. This session is about questioning assumptions and setting the groundwork for the rest of the course.

Lesson 2 – Rethinking Interaction in Art

How do artists use robots beyond practical applications? This session looks at artworks that integrate robotics as a conceptual element, not just a technical one. We will discuss how robots shift the way we experience and participate in art, looking at different approaches to interaction. Participants will start thinking about their own projects and ideas, which we will build on throughout the course.

Lesson 3 – Designing Interaction and Narratives

This session focuses on making interaction meaningful. How do we design experiences that feel engaging, surprising, or thought-provoking? Whether working with real or virtual robots, we will explore ways of structuring interactions and narratives in an artistic setting. Participants will have small creative tasks to experiment with, and those who have an idea for a project will have the chance to share and discuss it.

Lesson 4 – Introduction to Robot Programming with Bunraku

Now we get hands-on. In this session, participants will be introduced to Bunraku, a robot control library written in vvvv. Those with experience in vvvv gamma will find it familiar, but if you’re working with other software, don’t worry—we will explore ways to send and receive data via OSC or MQTT. Everyone can set up an instance of Bunraku on their Windows machines (MAC users will have to use Parallels or find another way to run Windows software on their computers) and start experimenting with how robots can be controlled in an interactive way.

Lesson 5 – Collaborative Robot Simulation

Building on the previous session, we will connect all participants into an online collaborative simulation where everyone can move and control a virtual robot in real time. This is a chance to see how robots can be influenced by multiple inputs, creating unexpected interactions between participants. We will also look at how Bunraku can integrate with different software, making it accessible for those using other platforms. Participants can continue developing their ideas and, where possible, test small interactive experiments.

Lesson 6 – Project Polishing Consultation

This lesson will be focussed on polishing participants projects to a deliverable state. Amir and his team will be available for individual and group consultations, trouble shooting and final advice, before we all pack our suitcases and head to Berlin, to finally get our hands dirty with Spot.

7 – Project Presentation : Live Interaction with Spot

For those attending in person, this final session will be a chance to work directly with Spot, the Boston Dynamics quadruped robot. We will experiment with different ways of interacting with it, combining what we have learned throughout the course. Participants who have been working on an idea may get the chance to test aspects of it with Spot, turning concepts into real-world experiences. The session will be open-ended, leaving space for experimentation, discussion, and reflection on what we have explored over the past weeks.

What if you can not attend the final presentation in Berlin?

We understand that the majority of our students do not reside in Germany, and for some, attending the showcase in person may not be feasible. We will however make sure, that everybody can participate (remotely) and that everybodies work is documented and credited properly.

Requirements

• A recent PC or MAC Computer (discrete GPU recommended) with stable internet connection.
• Zoom Client installed (please test your audio setup beforehand), wired internet is recommended.
• 3-Button Mouse recommended.

About the Instructor

amirbastan.com
creativerobotics.at

Amir Bastan is an artist and researcher with a background in fine arts, philosophy, and interaction design. His work explores the intersections between human consciousness, artificial intelligence, and robotics through media art, robotics, and interactivity framework. Currently a doctoral researcher at Creative Robotics and lecturer at University of Arts Linz, Amir’s research focuses on “The Human Robot Transference,” which examines connections between psychoanalysis theories and human-robot interaction.
Through his academic and artistic practice, Amir has developed expertise in real-time robotic control and simulation as part of The Bunraku Project, This software enables real-time control, visualization, and simulation of industrial robots.

Flexible Pricing

As with all our courses, we offer three pricing categories to accommodate the different economic value this course can have to different participants. Be fair and respect our work and the instructors by doing the right thing! Assess your situation and choose which ticket is right for you.

– Student & Hobbyist
You are currently studying or want to learn TouchDesigner for personal reasons that are not related to your source of income.

– Professional
You are working professionally as a self employed or freelancing person and want to learn TouchDesigner to advance your career and win new customers by expanding your skills.
Maybe you work as an employee in another field, but want to qualify yourself for new challenges, yet your company is not supporting you on this path.

– Company
You are employed with or are running a company that will leverage the new skills acquired in their work with clients. You want to further qualify your employees and support them on their learning path.

These prices include German VAT (19% ).
Depending on your country of residence you may have to pay a different or no VAT.
You will see your individual price on check out.