2024

This presentation will examine the pivotal role of ancient pottery in archaeological research, focusing on the methodologies archaeologists use to analyze ceramic vessels and providing insights into the socio-cultural and economic aspects of past civilizations. By using actual pottery artifacts from the ISAC Museum's collection that offer tangible connection to historical contexts, attendees will gain an understanding of the analytical techniques used to study pottery, underscoring the importance of ceramics in reconstructing human history and cultural interactions.

In this presentation, artist Jason Salavon will explore his evolving art practice, which navigates the interplay between autonomous computational processes and traditional creative methods. He will present a range of projects, with a focus on his recent efforts to push AI models to create imagery "off-manifold," challenging the boundaries of generative AI. Salavon will also consider the broader impact of new technologies on visual culture, including the rapid rise of AI-driven digital art, and discuss how these innovations are reshaping the creative landscape.

Bob Dylan is best known for his songs in verse-refrain form. Think of the many tunes with long, florid verses that end with a refrain line, which often includes the song’s title. “Desolation Row” and “Tangled Up in Blue” are two famous examples. However, a significant number of his songs follow different formal outlines, among them 12-bar blues, verse-chorus, and 32-bar song form. In this presentation, the presenter is interested in exploring songs that include a bridge. What role do bridges play in Dylan’s songs? What does the presence or absence of a bridge say about the song's genre?