Module 2 - Looking out

View Looking outcomes Artifact and Artwork · Return to Module 2

Research Spreadable Media

tl;dr: Critially Review two spreadable media objects. _a):_ Find, trace and research on one piece of spreadable media that has gone viral. _b):_ Uncover an example of electronic/net art that uses the internet, remix culture and/or spreadable media in an interesting way. Document your experience with each.

Learning Objectives

In addition to the standard looking out objectives, here we specifically hope:

To explore the notion of spreadable media directly by tracing the spread and virality of content on the web;
To examine how spreadability and virality is leveraged in creative work and artmaking;
To become familiar with the world of electronic and time-based media by researching artists and artworks in the field;
To reflect on how online sharing and social media plays a role in creating interesting and engaging artworks.

Selections

You’re asked to make two discoveries as part of this looking out exericse

First, find one internet artifact that’s been shared widely and research it (see constraints.)
Second, find one media artwork (or artist) that uses spreadability in interesting ways.

In all cases, it should be something you find personally interesting and it should be a discovery - you haven’t encountered it before. A set of starting points are provided in this weeks resource section.

Selection: a) Spreadable Artifact

The internets a weird and wonderful place. Find something curious, interesting, significant that’s been shared, spread and/or remixed widely via the internet. Maybe it’s a meme, a mashup, a remix, a tweet, a YouTube video, a really weird Pinterest board/Instagram account, etc.

Research your artifact and trace it’s origins and spread. Ask: When did it surface? Why - what was the context for it’s emergence? What was it responding to in society or culture? Has it disappeared or does it endure? Is it a continuing trend?

Explain your selection and its significance. Reflect on what it says about spreadible media.

Selection: b) Spreadable Artwork

Find an artist who’s work intersects with the internet in an interesting way. Are they a remix artist? Is sharing/spread/virality a key theme in their work? Is the internet their art gallery? Did they become internet famous because of one piece of work? Do they leverage the internet and sharing as the backbone of their creative practice? Do they use spreadible media to make their works (e.g. remixing) or just for visibility?

Research the artist/artwork and reflect on the intersections between electronic art and viral content found within their work. What aspects of spread and sharing do they engage with? Where and how do they share? Who sees it and on what channels (Twitter, GitHub, Facebook, etc.)? Why did they go viral? How did this recognition change their creative practice / future artworks?

Constraints

The works must be shared online (at least in some way)
The works must include a digital media component.
The artifact and artwork selected should relate to the description given in the module (see context.)
Keep it above board. Skip the NSFW stuff.
Also don’t break the internet.

What to write up:

Follow the guidelines for posting a looking out to Slack. Include in your post the following:

For Artifact. Label as ‘Name of the Artifact #lookingout2a

Artifact: An image/video/audio artifact
Credits: Creator’s name, Title of work, year produced
Work: Describe the artifact you selected? Why was it produced? Why did it spread?
Spreadability: Why is it an interesting/significant example of spreadable media?

For Artwork

Artwork: An image/video/audio of the artwork
Credits: Artist’s name, Title of work, year produced
Work: Describe the work you selected? How was it made? What tools/technologies/techniques are used?
Spreadability: Why is it an interesting example of the intersection between spreadability, remix culture and electronic art? What elements do you find appealing? Critique it.

Keep it brief! The post should be no more than 200 words and well illustrated (images, videos, etc.)