Technology Craft

arch of hysteria

Technology Craft/HNRS401H3-004
Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m.- 1:45 p.m., Summer Intersession 2024 (SCUL)

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Application Deadline: Sunday, March 10 at 11:59 p.m.

Technology is often associated with modernity and the cutting edges of human achievement. We instead consider it as something old, as the continuation of the ancient and universal human traditions of tool use and craft. A central question in that tradition is to start with a tool and ask simply “What can you do?”. In this course we will apply this question to some of the most modern tools, CNC routers, laser cutters and 3d printers. We will think about tools as physical objects, as computer models (which in some cases can control machines) and in the abstract, with the goal of balancing between theory and practice, seeing how each supports the other.

Note: Students who take the August Intersession Signature Seminar on Technology Craft are encouraged to enroll in the Fall 2024 Honors College Research Course, Making Technology Craft (HNRSR 402HV) . Honors Research Courses are variable credit hour courses where students work on a specific research project with supervision from a faculty member. This course will not meet, but rather students will make projects based on the skills that they’ve learned and will present those projects at the end of the Fall semester.

 

Course Credit:

  • All students: 3 hours of Honors credit
  • Fulbright College: 
    • Fulbirght Honors Natural Sciences Colloquium


 About the Faculty 

 Headshot of Virginia SiegelVincent Edwards, Director of Technology, School of Art, Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. Vincent Edwards received his MFA in furniture design from the Herron School of Art and design in 2012. His studio practice focuses on the intersection of traditional craft with digital design and fabrication tools. Thematically, his work explores the inherent beauty of engineered structures and complex systems. He is currently a featured artist for MIXD Gallery in Rogers, AR. Commissions include the System of Curves Bench which was featured in American Craft Magazine. Noteworthy clients include Indiana University, The Martin Army Community Hospital, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Alice Walton, and IU Distinguished Professor Douglas Hofstadter. Vincent currently works as Director of [advanced] Technology for the University of Arkansas and runs the School of Art’s 3D Design + Fabrication lab.

 

Jared Phillips headshot Edmund Harriss, assistant professor of mathematical sciences, Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences. Harriss a mathematician, teacher, artist and maker, who’s work is best described as pursuing unusual applications of mathematics. Some of these are really quite traditional, for example working with physicists to model the geometry of two dimensional crystals, but others are more exotic controlling robots, working with architects and designers and creating art. Much of his work aims to communicate the beauty and utility of mathematical thinking, working in an interdisciplinary style. He received his PhD in mathematics from Imperial College London, before postdocs at Queen Mary, University of London, Imperial College London, and University of Leicester, before coming to UNiversity of Arkansas, where he is an Assistant Professor in Mathematics and Art. His research has appeared in a wide range of journals including Nature, and the proceedings of the National Academy of Science, as well as in the national and international media, including New Scientist, NPR and the Guardian. He has written two colouring books, a children’s counting books and created a toy that open up a large range of mathematical topics to a wide range of people. His artwork is installed in several universities, most notably the 12’ Curvahedra sculpture in Gearhart Courtyard at the university fo Arkansas.