PracticalUTC

Unravel the Code

Our current situation is one of extreme and intensive information exchange. As both broadcasters and receivers, we are participants, caught up in the vortex of information glut. The explosion of communication technologies and our subsequent dependence on them affect us both personally and socially.

Our daily habits have been altered and new rituals have arisen. Our psychological states are also not immune to technology’s effects. Our dwindling attention spans and the ways we relate to or disconnect from our immediate environment are arguably endemic of a techno-obsessed culture.

In our complex reality of everything communicating unfiltered and all at once, how can we make sense of the often-invisible information exchange, curious habits, coded rituals, and aesthetics of our hybrid selves? How does this impact us as social beings? How does this impact our global society, visual culture, politics etcetera?

These questions are at the core of the Unravel the Code, a two quarter project that unravels contemporary phenomena of our shared (digital and networked) culture in order to stimulate the production of new artefacts, artworks and installations.

Quarter 9 consists of 3 projects: Project 1 : Unravel the Meme (2 wks) Project 2 : Objects for the Lonely (3 wks) Project 3 : Unravel Memory (4 wks

Learning goals

The objective is that through research, experiment, critical reflection, creation, design and manufacturing, connected to the three projects in Quarter 9, you will gain new knowledge, insights and a critical stance towards digital culture. Following from this you will learn to translate your point of view, your discoveries, into a concrete project.

Assessment criteria

- Depth of research and reflection upon the given theme (demonstrated through wiki and active participation in class meetings and group critiques) - Quality of concept (demonstrated through wiki and final prototype/design object/other) - Exhibiting thorough use of technical workshops, including experiments and tests (demonstrated through process documentation in wiki) - Convincing and precise translation of concepts into required deliverables (demonstrated through prototype/design object/other) - Paying careful attention to the aesthetics and technical execution of the required deliverables (demonstrated through prototype/design object/other) - Communicating the concept and process of your design clearly and effectively. (through public presentation and documentation of your project - Consistent attendance

Projects

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