Description

The Studio for Interrelated Media [SIM] is the most difficult concentration to characterize because it combines the study of many media. SIM is project and idea centered. If you want to extend boundaries–or break them–this program is for you.

"In the SIM presentation/critique classes, you are not presenting just to, say, musicians or painters, but to all kinds of artists. And you therefore must find a way to talk about work that is meaningful across artistic disciplines," says SIM professor Dana Moser. " Most art college departments are all arranged by medium. You train yourself in the intricacies of a particular medium, learn its secrets, master it, and then your artistic voice is expressed through that medium. And that's certainly one valid approach to studying art. In SIM, we approach things in a different way: students work on defining the ideas they want to work with and that determines the materials and media they need to master. In some cases, this means not acquiring a particular skill at all but rather collaborating with someone else." Collaboration is highly encouraged in SIM, as it is essential to many kinds of multimedia work in the 21st century. The faculty is committed to helping students develop their own concepts and to find and explore the media necessary to realize them.

Each semester, students in the SIM major select from a series of SIM electives, which are offered in addition to their college-wide general electives. SIM elective courses are designed to be responsive to a contemporary, evolving artistic environment–both technologically and conceptually. Some are concept or topic-based (e.g. Public Art or Nature, Science and Art), while others are offered to provide technical skills and training. Some students work in hybrid forms that combine techniques learned in SIM electives such as digital audio production, live performance, programming or internet art, with traditional training in sculpture or film/video.

Sound art is a large part of the program. The electronic sound studio combines analog and digital recording and editing capabilities. Students can experiment with video equipment, stage lighting, a wide variety of sound equipment, computers, analog electronic devices and performance spaces for live events. Students can also become involved in web design and web art. This work is fine art based, but it can also prepare them for commercial work.

The annual Eventworks festival is a completely student-run nonprofit organization for the arts. Students produce this month-long, citywide festival in which they present their own work and run all aspects of the production: curating, directing the technical operations, handling mailing lists, and creating publicity. Additionally, SIM students have the opportunity to manage SIM's Godine Family Gallery that is open to all MassArt students as well as artists outside the college community. This work provides hands-on experience in curating, designing and producing interdisciplinary exhibits.