In our modern age, the changing dynamic of technology as a means for communication, has meant we are now connected, yet equally disconnected from each other on an interpersonal level. Through exploration, we hope to understand how the introduction of technology and its social mediums has impacted the quality, context, intention and language of human interactions through digital platforms. Human interactions in how we communicate, the attention we give to others, and how we allow ourselves to be seen through social media.
“If you think about it, our attention is the only thing we truly own in our lives . . . Unfortunately, with today’s technology, our attention is being pulled in more directions than ever before, which makes this optioning of our own attention more difficult — and more important — than ever before.” [1]
This being an extremely prevalent issue in society yet also relatable to us on a personal level, we aim to highlight this movement by engaging audiences through an interactive novelty experience. We envision achieving this by integrating different disciplines and practices. Marrying digital and physical mediums could take the form of:
A tangible or performative installation. Implementing physical computing with the use of Arduino, mechatronics and resources available from the 3D labs.
Interactive projection, incorporating practices such as motion capture, distortion of projections, developing on our programming skills.
By making it live and interactive, as opposed to a static display, we are promoting active feedback. Inverting the role of the audience from observer to participator. This takes on the principle stated in the Chinese proverb, “Tell me and I’ll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I’ll understand”.
While we see this as an opportunity to explore and learn about a range of platforms to use, a transdisciplinary approach allows us to draw on the strengths of the individual mediums, adding versatility to the overall scope of the final project. This reflects the nature of communication and conversation, which is expressed through multiple ways. Therefore, we believe an effective commentary cannot be presented through a singular medium.
“The medium is the message. This is merely to say that the personal and social consequences of any medium—that is, of any extension of ourselves—result from the new scale that is introduced into our affairs by each extension of ourselves, or by any new technology.” [2]
Our primary intention was for our project to prompt conversations beyond the Studio. And what more suitable and relevant topic to discuss than conversations itself? Conversations, and on a broader level, interpersonal interactions and relationships, is something I personally feel passionate about. Even as Millennial, a digital ‘native’, I have witnessed the dramatic progression of technology and its increasing convergence with our day-to-day life and interactions. [3] This has been something that I have embraced because of its ease, yet also resented because of how it’s affecting how we communicate, and essentially connect with others. As relational beings, the quality and state of our communication has massive agency over our wellbeing, identity, value as individuals and members of a wider community.
“Communication is the collaborative process of using messages to create and participate in social reality… social realities emerge through social interaction. Therefore, communication enables us to actualize possibility and achieve change and growth, both for ourselves and for communities.” [3]
Reasons for Group Formation:
For this project, I really wanted to work with some new people, partially for networking purposes, but primarily to learn how to collaborate with different types of people.
I decided to form a group with Alex, Samy, Daniel and Sheena because of our complementing ideas on movement, as well as the type of outcome we wanted to create. Furthermore, having heard from other people and seeing for myself in person, I knew that each member had a good work ethic as well as a range of different skill sets and knowledge for group diversity.
During the formation of the brief, I actively contributed in group discussions fluidly adjusting between facilitator, contributor and active listener where appropriate. I also conducted outside research to strengthen our brief and worked on the design of our visual manifesto.
In the next 8 weeks, I can bring to the table related outside experiences and expertise. For example, in terms of theatre, my understanding of verbal and nonverbal forms of communication, subtext and relationships from what I’ve learnt as an actor. As well as applying principles from Epic Theatre regarding the activation of engagement and critical thinking within the audience as participator rather than observer.
Furthermore, applying and developing what I learnt last semester in programming for the digital component. And drawing upon my experience in hard technologies and art and design for the physical component and final presentation.
[1] Manson, M. (April 2017), Smartphones are the New Cigarettes, Retrieved from https://markmanson.net/Smartphones
[2] Mcluhan, M. (1964), Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man, Retrieved from http://web.mit.edu/allanmc/www/mcluhan.mediummessage.pdf
[3] Edwards, A., Edwards, C., Wahl, S.T., Myers, S.A. (2013) The Communication Age: Connecting and Engaging, California, United States of America: Sage Publications.
Group Formation: Once Called BoyWonder
Day 1: Developing the Brief
Day 2: Team Barcelona FTW!
Day 3: Productive Conversations
Day 4: The Thesaurus is Our Friend
