A Space Outside Publication

A Space Outside has just released a publication to spread the word about the G20, we hope that it excites, informs, and offers an analysis of some of the issues surrounding the G20. Please download publication.pdf and help us distribute.

This is their first publication, the next will be far more comprehensive and spiffy! Submissions close 16th October. We are still looking for articles, images, illustrations…so get crankin and send us ya work! email aspaceoutside@hush.com

Post Transient Spaces

I started this semester feeling rather apprehensive about the blogging phenomenon, which has perplexed Sean. I have mentioned numerous times just how advantageous I believe it is to be aware of the myriad of possibilities available to you via the web. This course has definitely facilitated that. I was confused recently as to what was meant by meta-design, which led me to do a little bit of my own research. I found a PDF of a lecture presentation that clarified my uncertainty and also led me to my next point, which in response to the question asked in a lecture a little while ago as to whether we will be prosumers/creators of media or consumers?

I found that Meta design is classified as a theory, a methodology, a technique, a design philosophy, and a cultural strategy. The term is evolving and as prosumers we will most likely contribute to its definition. At the moment though it is a movement aims to identify the new design space that is a product of the technological information age we are experiencing. Meta-design seems to be a complete overhaul of our creative processes. It deals with the creation of context rather than content.

Further to this I found discussion of meta-design in relation to anticipation, participation, and emergence. Which has direct references to when you consider how it is you will be involved with the web in the future. Thus far my web presence exists as a light stalkers member, which is a database of creative practitioners. Its been handy for me thus far in terms of being able to refer people to that site in order to view your work, and in terms of social networks, keeping in contact with people from university and establishing new contacts. I hope that shortly I shall have my own website as there are certain limitations that are expected from a group database, for instance a smaller amount of space allocated to each member.

Further to utilising the web for my own publicity, I presume within the future I will utilise it as a platform to facilitate a couple of projects that I have brewing in my head. I enjoy the webs ease of access, and its ability to more easily feature non-hierarchical structures (I think I’m still tackling how to do this, as I have been conditioned to always present work in a linear fashion). I think it will be challenging to pitch an idea for example a documentary that will solely have an Internet presence. Which is a result of peoples’ hesitation to have their photo and information on the web for everyone to view.

I think in the future I will most likely benefit from the web possibilities rather than be a creator of any new web developments. Does that make me a prosumer? I will be involved in a project shortly, which will involve the production of a film/documentary specifically for the web. A project that I would never have contemplated, had it not been for my recent web emergence.

Online doc resource

An interesting and precious resource for any online doco project you may endeavour upon post this subject – that is the ABC site with a list of online doc projects they have previously commissioned and funded. I tried to look at a couple but as I am plodding along here with a dial-up connection, I decided to write a blog about it instead and access them at a later stage. 

Media in 2014…Flash movie

Courtesy of Craigs blog I just came across this interesting project that predicts the direction the media will take in 2014. The directors have looked at the current trends of media consumption by people, businesses, and corporations and then extrapolated their own vision of the future. A world where the media in 2014 will be dominated by Googlezon and where The New York Times in a responsive move will spitefully decide to go offline. Overall a very smart and fortuitous film, not to mention witty and dogmatic.

What the film suggests may be our reality, which consists amongst many aspects the delivery of a personalised media system. What I find the most overwhelming about technology is the mountains of information it presents. I already find myself unable to keep up to date with books, magazines, and films. I always have a list in my head or scraps of paper of what I hope to read or watch next. The film mentions a new system or algorithm that will filter news for us, establish what we are interested in, and deliver that information to us. Sounds like that could be my solution to feeling overwhelmed, of course I'm not naive to the limitations such a service would incur. There will always by an initial dissident response to anything new technologically, I'm sure we will be inundated with moments of speculation and hesitancy over the next few years.

What I find interesting is that there is not much discussion about these developments in terms of their health repercussions. Are wireless hot-spots affecting us? In America there are entire cities that are wireless, what detrimental health problems will this contribute too. There has been a recent health scare in Melbs. with the infamous RMIT tumor issue, which distillery discussed. Mobile phones now, where to next? It is definitely something to aware of, if not take measured precautions to alleviate potential health concerns.

community discussions

I have been mulling over this concept of community for a little while now, oscillating between using images already taken or out right beginning a new project. I am in favour of the latter, however as time closes in I am interested in starting a project that is achievable, I have access to, and that has room for me to develop it further post this subject. I was initially thinking about Brunswick as a community, however I feel that this is far too broad. A recent idea was the idea of flatmates as your community and photographing people in their homes with complimentary text.

However I have had a change of heart about both of these ideas and am having to ask myself exactly what is a community? I discussed this with a couple of friends the other night (which ended up being a little forced and staged). If I can I shall post this delightfully entertaining conversation at a later date. I would argue that yes community can be a result of your location, or where you live. More importantly though it is a result of a common objective. I believe a community needs to be active, whether that be for the purposes of craft, sport, religion, or for the benefit of a political cause. I think the beauty of community is that it can attract people from a range of different ages, genders, socio-economic status, and nationality. An interesting collective of people that share a common goal.

Where does this leave me? My flatmate idea doesnt fit the bill and neither does Brunswick (in terms of if you look at it purely as a geographic space). If I chose a specific activity in Brunswick, then possibly. For instance a community hall, or an activist space. I shall have to give this more thought and see if I am able to access a particular place.

After my discussion with friends, I opened the mail to find a letter to the resident saying that Sydney Rd will be closed on Sunday 26th for a ‘community’ cycling day. I had a little chuckle, here I was saying I didnt feel that Brunswick was yet a community for me and there I was being invited (so to speak) to an event that will bring the community together. I guess this word community gets utilised in a myriad of contexts. All fitting of course.

I shall have to resolve my ideas very shortly.

Mobile discussions… (part two)

I was wrong!!!! aaaaarghhhhh how terrible. My mobile actully does work as an alarm clock, snooze button included, while its OFF. Guess this means Im now officially sleeping with my mobile off, probably a damn fine plan, considering the latest word on the street about mobile phones and tumors. 

Mobile discussions…

Following our lecture on thursday, I have been significantly more conscience of my mobile phone behaviour. I have been turning my phone off at night, as I was reminded in the lecture that a) your phone is still being charged and b) your alarm will still work. Both of these are true, HOWEVER to my utter disappointment the snooooooooooze button doesnt work. I guess I have two options here either I could invest in an alarm clock or revert to my old practice and remain 'connected' 24/7. 

hey you (test trackback no 2)

the question is will this work. here goes. can we get there is it lynch?

test trackback

please see this site for info

Exciting

Always exciting to see/hear/read anyone interested in documentary. I hadnt heard of the 2 filmmakers you mentioned so I shall look them up.
oh so conveniently with the link-system! Hallelujah for blogging. In terms of audience it is exciting the possibilities the internet provides. Also in terms of initially being able to instigate a project without any of the regular hierarchical limitations that may present themselves.

I know in your entry you mentioned Michael Moores success, the constant debate between constructed and un-constructed doc, and the concept of mockumentary. Would love to know what position you have on these different styles. Maybe in conversation rather than blogging land. Probably my all time favourite doco is ‘The Gleaners and I’, stongly recommend if you havent seen it to do just that!