PracticalUTC

Unravel the Meme – the undervalued power of internet farts

keywords: imitation, transformation, replication, participation, sharing, user-generated, dissemination, appropriation, remix, pop culture, subculture ...

Context

A meme is "an idea, behavior, or style that spreads from person to person within a culture”. The term was introduced by Richard Dawkins in his book The Selfish Gene. He defined memes as small cultural units of transmission (similar to genes), which are spread from person to person by copying or imitation. His examples include melodies, catchphrases, fashion, but also abstract beliefs. Many memes are competing for attention, however only some spread succesfully while others die out. Online the internet meme has become a widespread phenomenon. It can take the form of an image, video, picture, website or hashtag. It may be just a word or phrase, including intentional misspelling. These spread from person to person via social networks, blogs, email, or news sources. They can evolve and spread extremely rapidly, sometimes reaching world-wide popularity within a few days. More often than not, we associate memes with mindless fun and entertainment. However they can also potentially be a powerful digital artefact influencing public opinion or consumer behaviour world-wide.

For this first project you will take look at particular given memes and analyse them. Formulate many questions in order to dissect, interpret, assess, the meme. For instance: What characterizes your meme? How is it used? How widespread is it? Where did it originate from? What are keywords that you would attach to it? What is it’s effect? What are it’s components? What does it link to? What do you think of this meme? What story might you want to tell about this meme? And how would you visualize this story? Ultimately your findings will be displayed as a mini-exhibition during the Wereld van Witte de With.

Deliverables

1. a comparative visual research on your given meme, its wider theme and significance (per duo)
2. a new visual work (graphic, film, object...) which encapsulates your given meme within a chosen theme (per duo)
3. a visual display including key findings and new work under chosen theme (per group)
4. a visually coherent mini-exhibition presentation for the Wereld van Wittle de Width festival (per class)
5. documentation of project process and research on personal wiki page (per student)
6. documentation of projects and event as wiki post titles "Unravel the Meme" under "Projects and Courses"(volunteer)

Planning

Date	Time & Location	Content
Sept 1st	13-16h @ Interaction Station	intro - meme research
Sept 3rd	-	group brainstorm / mini-exhibition proposal
Sept 8th	13-16h "on location"	discussion, mentoring, exhibition planning
Sept 10th	10-17h "on location"	exhibition set-up
Sept 10th	18:00-21:00 "on location"	lecture by Roel Abbing - presentations - BYO BORRRRRRRRREL
Sept 11-13		Wereld van Witte de Width Festival

Objects for the Lonely

keywords: connection, disconnection, dependence, behaviour, belonging, engaging, overload....

Context

TBA

Deliverables

TBA

Planning

Date	Time & Location	Content
Sept 15th	13-16h @ Interaction Station
Sept 17	-	Self-Study
Sept 22nd	13-16h @ Interaction Station
Sept 25th	-	Self-Study
Sept 29th	13-16h @ Interaction Station
Nov 10	13-17h @ Interaction Station	Project Presentation

Crafting Memory

keywords: human remembrance vs technological memory

Context

TBA

Deliverables

TBA

Planning

Date	Time & Location	Content
Oct 8th	13-16h @ Interaction Station
Oct 14th	All Day @ Interaction Station	CRAFTING MEMORY WORKSHOP w/ MICA
Oct 15th	All Day @ Interaction Station	CRAFTING MEMORY WORKSHOP w/ MICA
Oct 16th	All Day @ Interaction Station	CRAFTING MEMORY WORKSHOP w/ MICA
Oct 17-18	DDW Eindhoven	Exhibitions/Events
Oct 29th	Impakt Festival (Utrecht)	exhibition set-up
Nov 10	13-17h @ Interaction Station	Project Presentation