[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/audiotastic02.jpg” caption=”Mac student Laura Marotta checks out Mike Balders’ Audiotastic Drawing Machine responds to touch and voice. Photo: Dan Zen”]McMaster associate professor Robert Hamilton and Sheridan instructor Dan Zen organized the fourth annual Interactive Interactive IV (four), which took place at the Hamilton Artists Inc. gallery on Friday February 24. Interactive Interactive is a juried exhibition of student works from the Sheridan Interactive Multimedia department and the McMaster Communication Studies and Multimedia department. All types of work were eligible from experimental art to functional websites with the focus being more on creativity and interactivity.

The projects were shown on SMART board screens and the public operated the projects by using their finger on the screen. The boards are used by the professors of Interactive Multimedia at Sheridan. The gathering was well attended with a crowd of more than 80 that stayed quite late to enjoy the hands-on experience and celebrate the achievements of multimedia students from both programs.

Anthony Sapp was the winner from McMaster for his “Watching the Script” Flash application, which dynamically creates theatrical dialogue on screen while moving characters in a stage area. Darian Milloy was the Sheridan winner for his project “Courtney's Adventure”.

Dan Zen trys the Audiotastic Drawing Machine.

McMaster grad and current humanities staff member, April Beresford found the display engaging. “There was a project that made fireworks when I touched the screen,” said Beresford. “I couldn't believe how creative the student exhibits were. With all of the talented Multimedia artists developing their skills in the Hamilton area, I think there should be more opportunities for events like this.”

Hamilton Artists Inc. was also hosting a McMaster fine arts event entitled Y.E.A.H. (Young Emerging Artists of Hamilton) that featured visual arts student works that had been curated by McMaster art history students. McMaster student Christine Hogenkamp won best of show in visual art for her sculpture.

Photos from the event can be found on Dan Zen's website.