LAN Art Party - Simple interactivity with local web servers

Guided by the detailed mind of Fraz the Wizard, Learn about the interactive mechanics of the web, how computers talk to each other, and build a simple network to collaboratively build digital artworks.

This workshop is designed to be approachable and accessible to artists and makers who aren’t necessarily experienced programmers, but it helps. This will be a 3 day workshop, with each day operating as a separate module, you can come to one, two or three days and learn different skills and parts each day.

We will begin with a very zoomed out perspective, covering basics of what the web is, how computers communicate, and look at ways we can use these basic components of computer programming. From here we will look at connecting these methods with Touchdesigner, visual programming software for generating and manipulating video and audio outputs.

Some familiarity with Touchdesigner is preferable but not required. If you are a beginner, following along at least the first workshop from Dave Court HERE should get you up to speed enough.

Plan:

Day 1: What is the web? + sending control signals from a local web button (HTTP)

Basic definitions / tools (difference between internet/web, curl, web browsers, etc)

How to use command line interface

Webserver dat in touchdesigner

Basic python, html and javascript code writing

Communicate across local network between TD sets - LAN Party

Day 2: Intro to Touchdesigner - feat. Dave Court

Recap previous day

Explore basics and possibilities of generation and interactivity within Touchdesigner

Connect web controls to Touchdesigner parameters

Day 3: Collaborating on a local network

More web interactivity (Web Socket)

Build an interface

Communicate across local network between TD sets - LAN Party

Control TD parameters from phone browser

Live video stream projection

Use LLM to make web interfaces

Fraz the Wizard is an Adelaide based multidisciplinary artist specialising in creative technology, 3D design, visual effects, and immersive media. With a background spanning film, software development, and AV technology, his work explores the intersection of digital art, interactivity, and real-time experiences. Fraz's expertise includes video production, traditional and web-based 3D technologies, game level design, live installations and experimental tech.

Monday 12th, Tuesday 13th and Wednesday 14th October, 10am-3pm each day


12 King William St, Kent Town 


One day pass - $15

Three day pass - $35

(lunch provided each day)

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, it's principal arts investment and advisory body.