Our world is constantly screaming out its needs and wants, presenting us with an endless stream of moral dilemmas, opportunities and tough challenges. How do we make the right call, build the right things or plan the right approach? How can we create the future we want?

These are the questions that have shaped Masters of Aalto 2013: Dreams Made Real.

See you at MoA2013!

Further information: moa.aalto.fi/2013

The opening of the exhibition is on 14 May at 18. Welcome!

For more information, please visit: http://artandtech.aalto.fi/.

Exhibition opening hours: Tue-Sun at 12-18.

The emphasis of the Art and Tehcnology pilot programme is on interactive artworks that are either spatial, embodied, or mobile. Some themes are interactive installations, experimental user interfaces, wearable electronics and ubiquitous technology. The programme combines media thinking and practice with the aesthetic and philosophical foundations of visual arts. Students are encouraged to cross boundaries between art, technology, and design.

A wide variety of working methods have been used, such as a study of ‘fugly’ phenomena on the Internet, and the recording of personal everyday data, to EEG brain scans controlling non-newtonian liquids. The exhibition is sure to bring surprise and delight to all visitors!

The minor study programme Art and Technology is organised as a multi-disciplinary collaboration within Aalto University. The organising units are Department of Art, Department of Media Technology, Department of Media, and Aalto Media Factory. The Media Art Installation course is led by Media Artists Andy Best and Matti Niinimäki.

Further information: http://artandtech.aalto.fi/

This thesis provides new ways of approaching adult play. It suggests that in the time of the ludic turn as discussed by Brian Sutton-Smith, adults are showing increased enthusiasm towards toys. The study examines how interest towards toys turns to playful and productive activities at adult age through actual manipulation of three types of contemporary playthings: dolls, soft toys and action figures. The thesis is connected to larger developments not only in material and visual culture, but also in social media and digital play culture. Adult relationships with toys that manifest both materially and digitally are examined from the perspectives of art, toy design and productive play through three topics: toys, their industry and designers (wow), play, performers and playgrounds (flow) toy player profiles and play practices (glow).

The thesis takes the reader on a journey throughout the multidisciplinary playgrounds of adult toy play and seeks a deeper understanding of the multidimensional phenomenon of adult play that happens with contemporary toys. It makes an attempt to understand how adults approach, bond with and actively interact with toys.

By investigating a multilayered phenomenon, the study at hand opens up novel views on adult toy play practices and by doing so contributes to the (toy) design discipline by offering food for thought for both future design work and toy research.

WELCOME!