ARTS3091 Blog

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Final Post

#generative

For our final week we were looking at how media is now completely redefining the way we create and enjoy different art forms. To understand this we need to recognise that art is media and vice versa; taking this in to account we can see how art is integral in both social and media change. These technologies are redefining the boundaries of the past, for example the new found relationships that exist between photography and computing, or sound and video. Where these were once completely separate entities this is no longer the case. Generative art “refers to art that has in whole or in part been created with the use of an autonomous system”1. Autonomous systems are generally non-human and their influences are present in our daily lives, even if we do not recognise them. For example, the phone application “Instagram” which is a photo producing app gives users the ability to add all different types of frames, shades and colours to their picture, digitally altering the photo to become a hybrid product of the technology. Currently at the moment Darling Harbour is playing host to the “Sydney Light Show”, an annual event where the use of water fountains and an array of different coloured lights are used to create a new type of artwork. The technology also uses fireworks, as the Sydney Habour Bridge and Opera House act as the canvas to splash the lights. The result of this new type of generative art is breath taking; further reinforcing that fact that computer generated art evokes a distinct response, one that is different to that of the traditional human painting. This new type of art seems to have evolved fittingly with our reliance on the media, with technology becoming so deeply ingrained within our society it has transformed every aspect of our lives, so it comes as no surprise that art is no exception. The achievement of the light show comes in its effect on the audience; the atmosphere and vibe created from it creates a new type of experience. Already live entertainment is taking advantage of these technologies, with singers using strobe lights and steam to add to the ultimate experience of live entertainment. With the media constantly evolving the future possibilities for autonomous systems are endless.

  References

1 - Generative art - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 2013. Generative art - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. [ONLINE] Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generative_art. [Accessed 29 May 2013].

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Hauntology

#hauntology

This week we were looking at media moving forward in to the future and this concept of hauntology. The concept is based on the idea that past events and technologies haunt us, having a profound effect on the way we live our lives. Hauntology also implies that we are haunted by the future; that we have developed so far as a society we are haunted by the limitless potential of the future, losing the ability to cope resulting in what author Alvin Toffler refers to as “present shock” in his book Future Shock. Printed back in 1970 this may have been very applicable and accurate for the time but author Douglas Rushkoff now disputes this theory, claiming we are always living in the now, so focused on the present and short term results that we have no concept of the future. Rushkoff gives a number of examples, identifying simple things such as the immediate results demanded by voters of their politicians, this example particularly relevant right now in Australia with a forthcoming election and the Abott government promising immediate change where traditionally this may have taken place over a number of years. On an everyday level “kid’s text during parties to find out if there’s something better happening in the moment, somewhere else”1. Our preoccupation with our present technology we have no desire or need to consider the future. If we were to think of the future however, we could experience this “future shock” as Toffler identified, particularly with the development of nanotechnology and the possibilities it holds. Nanotechnology is “is the manipulation of matter on an atomic and molecular scale”2, to put it very simply it is the development of technology that has the ability to solve the problems it encounters. The potential this science has to cure disease, increase our knowledge and enhance our physical attributes is mind boggling and even incomprehendable for us living in this time. Basically nanotechnology greatly increases our quality of life and more of these products are being released on a regular basis.

  References

1-Douglas Rushkoff - Present Shock. 2013. Douglas Rushkoff - Present Shock. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.rushkoff.com/present-shock/. [Accessed 21 May 2013]

  2-Nanotechnology - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 2013. Nanotechnology - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. [ONLINE] Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanotechnology. [Accessed 21 May 2013].

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Open Science

#open science

For this week’s tutorial we are looking at science, technology and innovation in relation to the media. It is important to distinguish between science and technology, with science being the pursuit of reliable knowledge, as opposed to technology which is more applied knowledge. Open science has become possible with the emergence of the media, in particular the internet which gives individuals access to data right around the world. Open science is defined as “the movement to make scientific research, data and dissemination accessible to all levels of an inquiring society, amateur or professional”1. It is using collaboration to solve a problem on an unprecedented level, giving anyone the power to provide their input and opinion. The potential possibilities for this type of problem solving are massive, with professionals and scientists already investing in these types of systems. One of these systems was introduced recently by the University of Chicago who “launched the first secure cloud-based computing system that enables researchers to access and analyze human genomic cancer information”2.This system allows for some of the top scientists and researchers around the world to add their findings and research to the database, whilst also being able to search the data which would usually traditionally come at a considerable financial price. The media is intrinsically connected with science and technology, playing an integral role in the development of an idea or theory to a final finished product. A recent example would have to be the development and growing support for climate change and global warming. Initially from the discovery, to the application and research the media has been key. Most importantly though the media is crucial in the diffusion of this idea in to society, prompting governments and large corporations to act on the issue as public support continues to grow for action. In turn this has seen the development and creation of so many new technologies and devices used to measure and combat climate change. Solar power and its application to so many different everyday tools we use has exploded, changing even the most traditional of past times, one example being the car, creating a completely new line of vehicles.

References

1.       Open science - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 2013. Open science - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. [ONLINE] Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_science. [Accessed 15 May 2013].

  2.       nsf.gov - National Science Foundation (NSF) News - University of Chicago Launches Bionimbus Protected Data Cloud to Analyze Cancer Data - US National Science Foundation (NSF). 2013. nsf.gov - National Science Foundation (NSF) News - University of Chicago Launches Bionimbus Protected Data Cloud to Analyze Cancer Data - US National Science Foundation (NSF). [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.nsf.gov/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=127935&org=NSF&from=news. [Accessed 15 May 2013].

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Social Organisation

#SocialOrganisation

Over the past few weeks we have been looking at social media and its influence within government/politics/big business etc. This week we were transitioned to the other end of spectrum, examining how social media is changing the way we organize ourselves “on the ground” in a bid to provoke change at a higher level. Social media has created a completely new structure, giving individuals the power to coordinate large groups of people and broadcast instructions and propaganda to everyone involved.  A key factor in changing the way something operates is participation, the more people that are interested and passionate about an issue within society, the more attention this issue will get at a higher level where real change is possible. Social media gives the individual the power to reach a massive amount of people, by promoting issues online the exposure is unmatched by anything in the physical world, allowing for group numbers to grow in tandem with their power to effect to change. In looking at the readings for this week I came across one of these groups known as the “Coalition of the willing”1. This group wanted to raise awareness about the ever present topic of global warming, which is seeing little to no action from major governments around the world. To try and increase their support base they released an indie motivational video on the issue, which was demanding action from world governments by targeting the younger generation. This video sought to make the issue more interesting, more action packed so as to appeal to a younger audience, rather than just laying out all the facts in a boring, statistical approach. These social movements differ structurally to traditional governments and other organisations, where they are much less hierarchical and can bypass major players all together. What soon became apparent after reading some of the articles listed in the course reader was the numerous organisations much like “Coalition for the willing”, who have all emerged with the help of social media.

References

1.       Coalition of the Willing | A Knife Party Production. 2013. Coalition of the Willing | A Knife Party Production. [ONLINE] Available at: http://coalitionofthewilling.org.uk/. [Accessed 7 May 2013].

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Transversing and Framing

During this week’s lecture we looked at the concepts of framing and transversity and their role within our lives and the media. To give a simple definition transversal is one line intersecting a number of already established lines. In the context of the media, Andrew gave an effective explanation using the music industry as an example. In the music industry there is a set system for buying and listening to music. That is the artists record their music and the record company distributes this to the individual retailers who in turn sell it to the consumer. However this system is being transversed by the emergence of new file sharing programs which operate over the internet (the biggest being the organisation “Pirate Bay), giving users the power to bypass the traditional system and download their music for free off the internet. The quote we were given in the lecture used the metaphor of a zoo; “if framing is like building a zoo than transversality is like setting the animals free”. I think this is useful if we think about the media and new technologies that are enhancing our ability communicate with one another. For example social media application Twitter has transversed countless lines and boundaries to become integral in all aspects of life from politics (a major reason for the success of the Obama elections campaigns) to science, to just simply sharing ideas among friends. When technologies transverse the established structures in place they tend to revolutionise the industry and the way it operates, often forcing the industry to evolve or perish, with the two previous companies having proven this in recent times. We now seldom see any traditional record stores still in business with music almost solely purchased online. Politicians now favor social media to launch their campaign messages and communicate with their audience, removing the middle man that was the media and ensuring that their message is framed exactly the way they want it. As we become more and more technologically dependent I think this is just the beginning as transversality continues to redefine the way we live and communicate with each other as a global community.

- transversally

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Augmented Realities

This week in ARTS3091 the readings focused on the possibility of an augmented reality – which is the “view of a physical, real-world environment whose elements are augmented by computer-generated sensory input such as sound, video, graphics or GPS data”. After watching a number of videos in the lecture it really gave me a better understanding of what an augmented reality is and how it works. To give a simple explanation an augmented reality is a way to use technology to redefine space, placing a virtual layer over the world with geographic specificity.

 These technologies physically cover the eyes, usually in the form of headset or as we saw in one the video’s a pair of glasses. These headset devices which create the augmented realities have long been touted at the next big step in video gaming technology, while this is true they are also used in a number of different industries within society including education, archaeology, military and commerce just to name a handful.

It is important not to confuse augmented reality with virtual reality where there are a few key differences. In a virtual reality the world is replaced with a simulated one, affecting a few of your senses, mainly sight and hearing. In a virtual reality you can’t physically touch what you are seeing, because, well it’s not there – you as the user are just seeing a computer simulation. Conversely in an augmented reality the technology creates a layer in the real world, so you can actually touch what you are seeing. So by moving your hand in to a certain space, which is covered by the augmented reality, it will have an affect whatever that may be. In the augmented reality all senses are affected and targeted – sight, hearing, touch even smell.

The closest we are to an augmented reality becoming a part of everyday life would have to be the development of “google glass”. Literally a pair of glasses which can do it all, whether it is accessing the internet, making a call or taking a video, google glass will ultimately render devices such as the mobile phone redundant. The criticism or concern that has arisen using such a device is infiltration of our privacy as individuals, where we already have so little. Google glass will mean everyone is constantly watching everyone, having the ability to capture and distribute information as it happens. Another age old concern of making augmented realities readily available is the creation and possible domination of a very new, very real world through hacking and other untoward methods. I believe like the smart phone, it is only a matter of time before google glass or a similar device becomes a part of our everyday life.

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Metacommunications Today

The lecture this week followed on from the previous one on media ecologies, this time focusing on communications, more specifically though metacommunication. Coined by Gregory Bateson the term takes in to consideration the relationship between the two individuals and the physical movements/gestures that are present when relaying the message (body language, tone, volume). In this respect it is these metacommunicative signals that ultimately determine how the message is received and interpreted, which may be different to its literal verbal meaning. A perfect example of metacommuication present in everyday life would be the use of sarcasm, where the tone used changes the message to mean quite literally the opposite of its verbal meaning. Communication is not only about the literal meaning of a message; communication is a skill that encompasses the whole body to deliver a message. Gregory Bateson through his worked focused intently on the way individuals interacted and the way that individuals perceived information. One of his most famous quotes stated “the major problems in the world are the result of the difference between how nature works and the way people think”. Bateson believed that the ability to perceive and deconstruct a message was crucial, where if this is not possible than true communication cannot exist leading to a breakdown of the relationship which was ultimately destructive. Metacommunications are a part of our everyday lives, growing up, in school whenever the bell went everyone would know it was lunch time, or when the lights turn green at a traffic light you know to go. These sounds and symbols are literally just sounds or a colour, but they hold a message which is relevant to the context of the situation. In our ever advancing technologically dominated society these little symbols are evolving and being created every day. On Facebook for example it is difficult to convey tone, so we counteract this using symbols for eg. : ) resembling a smiley face and therefore happy, or :S meaning confused; this further reinforces the importance that tone and body language plays in conveying the intended meaning of a message.

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The Machinic Assemblage

This week in ARTS3091 we were looking at the different ways in which we approach the media, particularly in terms of culture, society and technology. With technology playing such an integral role in the way that we as individuals and communities operate within society, it places extra importance on the media and its ability to control and filter information. An important point to consider however is that while technology or the media is created to serve a certain purpose, it may not always fulfill this purpose and may even perhaps perform a different role to the one for which it was originally intended. A common modern day example would be the television or mass media – does it inform the masses or control them. Raising the question do the media free us? Or control us? A #machinic assemblage accounts for the way in which flows (material, cultural, imaginative and technological) are directed, connected, broken and everything in between. Perhaps the most important assemblage that dominates our society today is the internet, which incorporates countless assemblages including political, social and technical machines to name just a few. The internet was first created in the late 1960’s by the US Department of Defense so that researches could share and collaborate their information one another. Although soon the power of this new entity was recognised, linking computers wirelessly in this “web” it meant people could communicate right around the world. Today however the internet has well and truly transcended its original purpose, where we use the internet for everything, not only communication but also banking, shopping, business, leisure, research, planning, learning etc. Humans have become so reliant on the internet just to function within society on a day to day basis that to not have access to it would be socially terminal. Although originally its intended use was solely for file sharing it has evolved to serve an evolving world. The “medium specificity” theory is integral in helping us understand this where it argues that the medium counts a great deal in how information is received and the reach that it has. For example cave paintings could convey a message but could only be seen by those who came by the cave. The introduction of paper would have been a huge game changer, where the message can be written and distributed to a larger number of people due to its light weight and abundance. Continuing down this timeline the internet eliminates any physical matter and can be accessed by anyone, anywhere around the world. Like humans technologies evolve with time in a natural process, eliminating the weaknesses and expanding to address a wide variety needs. Ultimately though no technology, society or media could function without machinic assemblage.