Making Space series features machine learning and art

The Making Space series of public talks and workshops returns this fall with a talk about machine learning and art from Duke University researcher Matthew Kenney and two “Raiders of the Lost Arcade” inclusive gaming events. Started in 2015, the series centers around gender diversity and inclusion in STEM, as it intersects with race, ethnicity, ability, and sexuality.

Making Space aims to confront bias and systemic barriers to inclusion in the STEM fields by presenting the experiences and perspectives of underrepresented groups in science and technology, including people of all identities and abilities. In doing so, the series seeks to inspire all members of the NC State community to take on new skills, learn emerging tools, and be creative with technology.

All events are free and open to the public. Making Space is generously sponsored by Pentair.

The fall 2018 Making Space schedule is as follows:

“Raiders of the Lost Arcade”—GLBT-friendly gaming
Wednesday, August 29, 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. in the D. H. Hill Jr. Library Fishbowl Forum.
We will be playing a curated selection of games for platforms including Steam, Playstation 4, and Nintendo Switch. Our focus for this event will be games which explore queer and GLBT-friendly storylines and characters while offering a compelling and immersive gameplay experience. We will draw on the narratives of these games to talk about diverse representation, including resisting character tropes and stereotypes about the gaming community.

“The Intersection of Machine Learning and Art with Matt Kenney”
Wednesday, Oct. 17, 4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. in the D. H. Hill Jr. Library Fishbowl Forum
Matthew Kenney is a researcher, developer, and designer whose work centers on the intersection of technology, design, and critical software development. He is currently a staff researcher at Duke University in Computational Media Arts and Cultures, and teaches classes and workshops in interaction design, machine learning, interface design and Internet of Things. Kenney’s research includes technical, artistic and critical explorations of areas at the intersection of artificial intelligence, machine learning, computer vision and race, society and information. He will discuss his present previous work and path through creative coding in this Making Space presentation.

“Raiders of the Lost Arcade”—International Games Week
Thursday, Nov. 1, 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. in the D. H. Hill Jr. Library Fishbowl Forum
Please join the NCSU Libraries for Raiders of the Lost Arcade, our inclusive gaming series presented as part of Making Space. As an early celebration of International Games Week, this event will showcase recent additions to our gaming collection, and provide an immersive introduction to the world of video games. We will be playing a curated selection of games for platforms including Steam, Playstation 4, and Nintendo Switch, which explore different ways that video games can illustrate diverse narratives, aspirations, and life experiences. We will draw on the narratives of these games to talk about diverse representation, including resisting character tropes and stereotypes about the gaming community.