Tess Oldfield

Critic

Tess Oldfield (b.1992) is a sonic/spatial transformer/synthesizer/composer. They are currently exploring computational composition by designing digital extensions for acoustic instruments. Their research explores the body’s mechanics and singing’s cultural contexts by recreating the human voice’s inner workings through custom hardware and software networks. Building digital extensions for found instruments extends their voicing abilities as a performer, transforming tools into elaborate transducers and digital/analogue prosthetics. Oldfield holds an MFA from RISD in Digital + Media and has exhibited their work throughout the US, including at Yale University Sculpture Gallery, the New Bedford Art Museum and CyberArtsBoston. Oldfield has participated in residencies at ACRE Projects and will be the Sound Art and Experimental Music Resident at Bemis Center in 2025. They teach in RISD’s Experimental and Foundation Studies division and in the Digital + Media department. They live and work in Chicago, IL.

Courses

Fall 2024 Courses

FOUND 1005-18 - STUDIO: SPATIAL DYNAMICS
Level Undergraduate
Unit Experimental and Foundation Studies
Subject Foundation Studies
Period Fall 2024
Credits 3
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date

FOUND 1005-18

STUDIO: SPATIAL DYNAMICS

Level Undergraduate
Unit Experimental and Foundation Studies
Subject Foundation Studies
Period Fall 2024
Credits 3
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start and End 2024-09-04 to 2024-12-11
Times: T | 1:30 PM - 6:00 PM; T | 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM Instructor(s): Tess Oldfield Location(s): Washington Place, Room 205 Enrolled / Capacity: 20 Status: Closed

SECTION DESCRIPTION

Studio: Spatial Dynamics is a studio-based inquiry into physical, spatial and temporal phenomena. The study of Spatial Dynamics is rooted in the necessity to consider forces and their effects on structure. Force is the consequence of energy. In Spatial Dynamics the energy and resultant forces are studied in actual motion, stability, and materiality. The structures of physical, spatial and temporal phenomena are studied through additive, subtractive, transformative, iterative, and ephemeral processes both analog and digital. Mediums and materials that are commonly explored and utilized have a broad range of characteristics due to their organic and synthetic sources. Most assignments utilize methods such as preliminary sketches and diagrams in research, planning, and experimental processes. Assignments reference the histories and theories of art and design and include areas of inquiry that extend to disciplines such as the sciences, music, dance, film, and theater.

Enrollment is limited to First-Year Undergraduate Students.

Major Requirement | BFA

CTC 2000-01 / DM 2000-01 - AMBIENT INTERFACES: ACTIVATED OBJECTS
Level Undergraduate
Unit Digital + Media; Experimental and Foundation Studies
Subject Digital + Media Computation,Technology, and Culture
Period Fall 2024
Credits 3
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date

CTC 2000-01 / DM 2000-01

AMBIENT INTERFACES: ACTIVATED OBJECTS

Level Undergraduate
Unit Digital + Media; Experimental and Foundation Studies
Subject Digital + Media Computation,Technology, and Culture
Period Fall 2024
Credits 3
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start and End 2024-09-04 to 2024-12-11
Times: M | 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM Instructor(s): Tess Oldfield Location(s): Waterman Building, Room 33 Enrolled / Capacity: 12 Status: Open

SECTION DESCRIPTION

This course is a practical and conceptual exploration into electronic sensors, processors and actuators in the context of interactive art and design. Students will turn everyday objects into ambient interfaces or "responsive systems" that respond to the conditions of the human body, data networks, and the environment. Contemporary works of art and design - from kinetic sculpture and sound art to installation, architecture and product design - will be examined through readings and presentations. Open source hardware (Arduino) and software (Processing) will be taught along with the fundamentals of electronic circuitry. Emphasis is given to the development of creative projects (individual or collaborative), followed by an iterative implementation process (planning, prototyping, testing, analyzing, and refining). The course is structured around a series of tutorials and exercises, culminating in a final project. Students also present work-in-progress and prototypes during class reviews to receive qualitative feedback from the class and the instructor. Participants will engage with physical computing conceptually and technically in their studio work and are encouraged to leverage their individual backgrounds to excel in the respective context. Prior experience with electronics and programming is recommended but not required.

Estimated Cost of Materials: $200.00

Elective

CTC 2000-02 / DM 2000-02 - AMBIENT INTERFACES: ACTIVATED OBJECTS
Level Undergraduate
Unit Digital + Media; Experimental and Foundation Studies
Subject Digital + Media Computation,Technology, and Culture
Period Fall 2024
Credits 3
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date

CTC 2000-02 / DM 2000-02

AMBIENT INTERFACES: ACTIVATED OBJECTS

Level Undergraduate
Unit Digital + Media; Experimental and Foundation Studies
Subject Digital + Media Computation,Technology, and Culture
Period Fall 2024
Credits 3
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start and End 2024-09-04 to 2024-12-11
Times: M | 1:10 PM - 6:10 PM Instructor(s): Tess Oldfield Location(s): Waterman Building, Room 33 Enrolled / Capacity: 12 Status: Closed

SECTION DESCRIPTION

This course is a practical and conceptual exploration into electronic sensors, processors and actuators in the context of interactive art and design. Students will turn everyday objects into ambient interfaces or "responsive systems" that respond to the conditions of the human body, data networks, and the environment. Contemporary works of art and design - from kinetic sculpture and sound art to installation, architecture and product design - will be examined through readings and presentations. Open source hardware (Arduino) and software (Processing) will be taught along with the fundamentals of electronic circuitry. Emphasis is given to the development of creative projects (individual or collaborative), followed by an iterative implementation process (planning, prototyping, testing, analyzing, and refining). The course is structured around a series of tutorials and exercises, culminating in a final project. Students also present work-in-progress and prototypes during class reviews to receive qualitative feedback from the class and the instructor. Participants will engage with physical computing conceptually and technically in their studio work and are encouraged to leverage their individual backgrounds to excel in the respective context. Prior experience with electronics and programming is recommended but not required.

Estimated Cost of Materials: $200.00

Elective

CTC 2000-01 / DM 2000-01 - AMBIENT INTERFACES: ACTIVATED OBJECTS
Level Undergraduate
Unit Digital + Media; Experimental and Foundation Studies
Subject Digital + Media Computation,Technology, and Culture
Period Fall 2024
Credits 3
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date

CTC 2000-01 / DM 2000-01

AMBIENT INTERFACES: ACTIVATED OBJECTS

Level Undergraduate
Unit Digital + Media; Experimental and Foundation Studies
Subject Digital + Media Computation,Technology, and Culture
Period Fall 2024
Credits 3
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start and End 2024-09-04 to 2024-12-11
Times: M | 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM Instructor(s): Tess Oldfield Location(s): Waterman Building, Room 33 Enrolled / Capacity: 12 Status: Open

SECTION DESCRIPTION

This course is a practical and conceptual exploration into electronic sensors, processors and actuators in the context of interactive art and design. Students will turn everyday objects into ambient interfaces or "responsive systems" that respond to the conditions of the human body, data networks, and the environment. Contemporary works of art and design - from kinetic sculpture and sound art to installation, architecture and product design - will be examined through readings and presentations. Open source hardware (Arduino) and software (Processing) will be taught along with the fundamentals of electronic circuitry. Emphasis is given to the development of creative projects (individual or collaborative), followed by an iterative implementation process (planning, prototyping, testing, analyzing, and refining). The course is structured around a series of tutorials and exercises, culminating in a final project. Students also present work-in-progress and prototypes during class reviews to receive qualitative feedback from the class and the instructor. Participants will engage with physical computing conceptually and technically in their studio work and are encouraged to leverage their individual backgrounds to excel in the respective context. Prior experience with electronics and programming is recommended but not required.

Estimated Cost of Materials: $200.00

Elective

CTC 2000-02 / DM 2000-02 - AMBIENT INTERFACES: ACTIVATED OBJECTS
Level Undergraduate
Unit Digital + Media; Experimental and Foundation Studies
Subject Digital + Media Computation,Technology, and Culture
Period Fall 2024
Credits 3
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start date
End date

CTC 2000-02 / DM 2000-02

AMBIENT INTERFACES: ACTIVATED OBJECTS

Level Undergraduate
Unit Digital + Media; Experimental and Foundation Studies
Subject Digital + Media Computation,Technology, and Culture
Period Fall 2024
Credits 3
Format Studio
Mode In-Person
Start and End 2024-09-04 to 2024-12-11
Times: M | 1:10 PM - 6:10 PM Instructor(s): Tess Oldfield Location(s): Waterman Building, Room 33 Enrolled / Capacity: 12 Status: Closed

SECTION DESCRIPTION

This course is a practical and conceptual exploration into electronic sensors, processors and actuators in the context of interactive art and design. Students will turn everyday objects into ambient interfaces or "responsive systems" that respond to the conditions of the human body, data networks, and the environment. Contemporary works of art and design - from kinetic sculpture and sound art to installation, architecture and product design - will be examined through readings and presentations. Open source hardware (Arduino) and software (Processing) will be taught along with the fundamentals of electronic circuitry. Emphasis is given to the development of creative projects (individual or collaborative), followed by an iterative implementation process (planning, prototyping, testing, analyzing, and refining). The course is structured around a series of tutorials and exercises, culminating in a final project. Students also present work-in-progress and prototypes during class reviews to receive qualitative feedback from the class and the instructor. Participants will engage with physical computing conceptually and technically in their studio work and are encouraged to leverage their individual backgrounds to excel in the respective context. Prior experience with electronics and programming is recommended but not required.

Estimated Cost of Materials: $200.00

Elective