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Final Project: The Death of Privacy by Third Front

Tiffany Anne

Sunday, Nov 19, 2017 - 09:57:31 am

@ Tiffany Rosete

Final Broadcast

https://www.facebook.com/dina.anuar/videos/1651683038215811/

Members:

Dina, Siewhua , Valerie, Tiffany

Experience

Our final project was very focussed on the idea of glitching and the characteristics of media that breaks down. Our rehearsals and experimentation centered around glitch effects, ways to lose connection and disrupt our image in the web. Following the aesthetic and Jennicam, the piece pulls on the small doubt and paranoia that sets in when Read more →

Categories: Final Project | Hyperessay
Tags: Death | glitch
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FINAL BROADCAST: The Death of Privacy ☠ by Third Front

Siewhua

Thursday, Nov 16, 2017 - 05:32:27 pm

@ Siewhua 's

The Death of Privacy ☠ by Third Front (Putri Dina, Siewhua Tan, Tiffany Rosete, Valerie Lay)

Final Live Broadcast:

https://www.facebook.com/dina.anuar/videos/1651683038215811/

Project Summary Description:

Our project aims to explore the boundaries of glitch, abstraction, disconnectivity & connectivity, distortion, latency and the frustrations of social broadcasting. Inspired by the television screens, each one of us has our own individual screens (top left: Siewhua, top Read more →

Categories: Final Project | Hyperessay
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Randall Packer
Excellent final project overview and documentation. I am very impressed with all the planning, coordination, rehearsal and effort that went into your project. Fundamentally, I think the work is visually stunning, the way in which you treated the material visually, allowed for the disconnection, lags, and interference to be revealed, and actually incorporate those interferences and so-called "problems" into your work. That in a sense is the power of your collaborative work and investigation of the network as a medium for artistic creation. The piece is kind of a celebration of errors! My main critique would be that with the complexity of the narrative, that perhaps more of it could have shown through, or been revealed. I think the main problem was the audio. It seemed as though because of the extreme lag and pauses, that you lost some of the continuity of noise, conversation, and other elements that would clarified the narrative and heightened the tension of the work. Perhaps the use of additional sound or even texts might have helped to bring out the many aspects of the narrative, character development, and storytelling that you were trying to communication. That said, it is a beautiful work, and the collaborative effort between each of the members of your group was stellar, and it shows. What you might consider doing is taking a series of screenshots to include in your portfolio, because again, I think the visual aspects of the work are the strongest, and the way you treated the signal disruptions was truly masterful. And so too, the interface was very effective, and particularly the way in which you alternated screens between four and two and one. That also kept the narrative moving forward effectively. If only there had been more audio or textual support to keep the continuum smoother and more continuous. Again, great work on the documentation, the drawings, the references to other artworks, and all the various materials you incorporated to give a sense of the process, which in the end, is the primary objective of the assignment as well as the class.
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First Eva Telematic Lunch

Isaac Chu

Thursday, Nov 16, 2017 - 04:43:10 pm

@ Chuwypotter

Telematic Lunch: Singapore

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZa9MP-QmJ8

Welcome to the Telematic Lunch by Anam, Win Zaw, Mirei and Isaac. This project has gone through multiple amendments from the very beginning to this final video. During our brainstorming process, we had very interesting ideas that were very ambitious. Taking inspiration from A Hole in Space by Galloway and Rabinowitz, we had the idea of having a live Read more →

Categories: Final Project | Hyperessay | Process
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Randall Packer
The Telematic Lunch was a valiant effort and I can see the hard work and of course the frustration that accompanies an ambitious project like this while challenging new technologies that you haven't encountered before. The piece has the makings and potential of being quite interesting. First, the way in which the interface was established, arranged and composited was very well done. The positioning of the four of you, and of course Winzaw's funny addition to the social gathering added a much needed element. The lesson learned here is twofold: first, when you encounter the kind of technical problems that you did, you find a way to incorporate them into the work, instead of doing battle with bad reception, sound, disconnections, etc. Secondly, you simplify. I think that trying to composite all four of you the whole time just compounded the bandwidth issues. You could have taken turns being on camera, rotating the images, perhaps in twos or even in ones. In other words, we don't need to see all four of you on screen for the whole time. I think also that the color keying could have been more pronounced. And if taken to another level of transparency, would have offset some of the other problems you were having. Consistent with bandwidth and connection problems, there could have been more of a disappearing act so to speak. I think Winzaw was moving in the right direction with his key, but I also think there could have been more variety in his contribution and overall with the whole group. Why not reveal some of the food in these keyed out areas for example? Also, the piece should have been shorter, more along the 15 minutes I had suggested, so you could have more control over the flow of the narrative. As it is, it's difficult to watch for so long given the various technical issues. I would have liked to have better understood the rounds of “never have I ever." If it is difficult to synchronize the dialogue, let alone hear the flow of the conversations, how about texts or signs that might have brought out the narrative of the conversation.  That said, I want to reiterate my acknowledgement of the effort that went into this project. I thought the collaborative process was commendable and that the four of you were able to synthesize your ideas to create what was a compelling project idea and scenario, even if the execution of the work didn't quite live up to its promise. Issac, in regards to your post, I would be careful about the use of so many references, because not all of them seem entirely relevant. For example, super-participation as related to Second Front's Last Supper is not exactly what is meant in the way it was presented in class, which was how we share our data, move data around, participate in the exchange of information. On the other hand, I thought your reference to The Big Kiss was excellent. Here, the awkwardness of the telematic kiss does in fact correspond with the awkwardness you experience with the telematic lunch. All the bandwidth and connection issues conspired to make it difficult to eat together, engage in conversation, and even see one another! That was an excellent observation and the kind of use of readings/art works that are best employed in your critical description of your own work. Let me know if you have any questions.  
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Final broadcast assignment

ʍıu zɐʍ

Thursday, Nov 16, 2017 - 03:06:16 pm

@ CHEESE

Overview

Our project is a Mukbang broadcast. During the broadcast, we all ask ourselves if we’ve ever done something. Another aspect we’ve incorporated into this performance was the use of chroma keying, so as to add an additional dimension into our performance, and not only separate our broadcast laterally, but to show a sense of depth. The theme of Read more →

Categories: Final Project | Hyperessay
Tags: broadcast | final assignment | obs | streaming | video
(1) Show Comments
Randall Packer
The Telematic Lunch was a valiant effort and I can see the hard work and of course the frustration that accompanies an ambitious project like this while challenging new technologies that you haven't encountered before. The piece has the makings and potential of being quite interesting. First, the way in which the interface was established, arranged and composited was very well done. The positioning of the four of you, and of course Winzaw's funny addition to the social gathering added a much needed element. The lesson learned here is twofold: first, when you encounter the kind of technical problems that you did, you find a way to incorporate them into the work, instead of doing battle with bad reception, sound, disconnections, etc. Secondly, you simplify. I think that trying to composite all four of you the whole time just compounded the bandwidth issues. You could have taken turns being on camera, rotating the images, perhaps in twos or even in ones. In other words, we don't need to see all four of you on screen for the whole time. I think also that the color keying could have been more pronounced. And if taken to another level of transparency, would have offset some of the other problems you were having. Consistent with bandwidth and connection problems, there could have been more of a disappearing act so to speak. I think Winzaw was moving in the right direction with his key, but I also think there could have been more variety in his contribution and overall with the whole group. Why not reveal some of the food in these keyed out areas for example? Also, the piece should have been shorter, more along the 15 minutes I had suggested, so you could have more control over the flow of the narrative. As it is, it's difficult to watch for so long given the various technical issues. I would have liked to have better understood the <span style="font-family: 'Noto Serif', serif;font-size: 19px">rounds of “never have I ever." If it is difficult to synchronize the dialogue, let alone hear the flow of the conversations, how about texts or signs that might have brought out the narrative of the conversation. </span> That said, I want to reiterate my acknowledgement of the effort that went into this project. I thought the collaborative process was commendable and that the four of you were able to synthesize your ideas to create what was a compelling project idea and scenario, even if the execution of the work didn't quite live up to its promise.

Winzaw, you bring up an interesting aspect of performing with green screens, which effects every actor who must perform this way. In films, actors have to play with the illusion, they have to imagine the result, and since you were essentially trying to do the same thing, you had to contend with that as well. So there was nothing unusual about this problem, and will help you understand this dynamic should you encounter it again. 

You were the only one in the group to call the piece a Mukbang, rather than The Telematic Lunch. I am curious why this is so? Do you prefer the Mukbang connection? This is perfectly fine but it is different from your collaborators. As I mentioned above, I thought your key was a highlight of the piece, but I would like to have seen more with it, and wasn’t quite sure how the stars related. Perhaps you could have had images of food? Something that integrated conceptually with lunch? Just a thought, but most importantly, if the images could have changed periodically as the lunch progressed, that might have been interesting. 

 

I really like your approach, humor, and curiosity. Keep it going, I think you are doing good work, particularly when you embrace the project and give it so much effort as you did. I highly commend you for that. 

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Networked Conversations With Second Front Review.

Ong Zi Feng

Wednesday, Nov 01, 2017 - 08:39:04 pm

@ Basics

This was a eyeopening Network Conversation with five of Second Front’s member – Bibbe Hansen, Liz Solo, Doug Jarvis, Patrick Lichty and Jeremy Owen Turner  This Conversation was HIGHLY advertised on Facebook by Prof Randall, and I found it really funny that the artists(Patrick Lichty) commented that they sensed danger in it and Liz Solo Read more →

Categories: Hyperessay
Tags: Documentation | Exercise | hyperessay | IM | Interactive | InternetArt&Culture | Learning | OSS | Project | Projects | Research | sharing | Work | year3 | Year3sem1
(1) Show Comments
Randall Packer
Your post made me think about so many things! But most of all I am intrigued that you would look at the third space as a new frontier, with new possibilities and potential. For me, the third space has been around for a long time, really, even the telephone is the third space, which goes back to the 19th century. But you are right, as we keep evolving and spending more time in the third space, connected as we are, it seems as though this environment is ever-expanding in terms of what is possible. It almost seems like everything is possible!
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Research Critique: Second Front

Val Lay

Wednesday, Oct 25, 2017 - 09:01:30 pm

@ ◢ ◤

Every week as I embark on writing research critiques, I know I would raise my eyebrows. (Why thank you Randall for the fascinating and hard-to-understand-at-first-glance case studies.) This week, it was no different as I entered into the realm of Second Front, as I attempt to decipher a gist of it.

So, what they’re doing is not a game. Neither were Read more →

Categories: Hyperessay | Micro-Project | Research
Tags: performance art | virtual
(1) Show Comments
Randall Packer
Val you are so right! We are losing the ability to separate the real from the virtual, and that is what I refer to as the post reality. This is an excellent essay that raises so many interesting points. I really liked this one: Is there a fantasy element to Second Life that people can actually live their ideal lives in the third space to attract audiences? (I edited it a bit) I think you are right. I believe that Second Life is a place where people can act out their fantasies and in turn, engage with other people doing the same. The synthesis of this engagement creates narrative possibilities that are beyond the wildest imagination. I believe that is precisely what Second Front has pursued in their work. Great piece.
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Research Critique: Second Front

Hannah

Monday, Oct 23, 2017 - 10:03:27 pm

@ Hannah Kwah

Second Front, founded by a seven member group in 2006, is the first performance art group in the virtual world of Second Life. The members are Gazira Babeli (Italy), Yael Gilks (London), Bibbe Hansen (New York), Doug Jarvis (Victoria), Scott Kildall (San Francisco), Patrick Lichty (Chicago) and Liz Solo (St. Johns). 

They are influenced by Dada, Fluxus, Futurist Syntesi, contemporary performance artists Read more →

Categories: Hyperessay | Research
Tags: art | culture | internet | second front
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Randall Packer
Excellent Hannah!! I really liked the way you connected the work of Second Front with Kit Galloway and Sherrie Rabinowitz' work: yes, their dream has been realized by Second Front in the creation of a virtual place where people (their avatars) can co-mingle and interact. One thing I would urge you to detail further, because it is so important to the popularity of games and game design:
Grand Theft Avatar challenges the role of traditional game structure. Also they questioned game strategies, the authenticity of currency, rules and lifestyle to Second Life.
The question I would ask is how does the work of Second Front challenge game structure, as well as the kind of narratives we generally see. I agree that their work points to many ways to actually undermine the virtual space, deconstruct, analyze it, and alter it that could have tremendous impact on how games are designed and experienced. So I would be interested in how you might elaborate on this point, because it is so important. Excellent essay that raises many important issues.
Hannah
I personally feel that game structures follow what has been intended by game designers and when players play the game, they are fixed to the world created. But for Second Front they change the idea of how the game could be played. They portray themselves as avatars which can freely roam around the world that they built in and do whatever they want. Usually currency are to purchase items but in their case they just took the currency and did whatever they wanted. In a way they hacked the way game was usually played. There are many sorts of narrative to games but generally we play to reveal more of what is going on or what we need to discover in multi player games. In their performance they decided to go with the follow and do whatever they want with the game environment without following the rules, currencies and how the environment is suppose to function. The freedom to explore and destroy the game intention.
Randall Packer
Yes, it is very inspiring.
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Research critique: Jennicam

Isaac Chu

Thursday, Oct 19, 2017 - 05:37:48 pm

@ Chuwypotter

Prior to Jennicam, there were two other “live camera” web series (Trojan Room Coffee Camera and a fish camera) which were inspirations that Jenny borrowed from. The coffee camera allowed people in University of Cambridge (old computer laboratory) to know if there were still coffee in the dispenser so they don’t have to climb up 7 storeys for nothing. (superbly Read more →

Categories: Hyperessay | Process
Tags: jennicam
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Randall Packer
Good piece. I am curious about your connection between v-logging and JenniCam. Yes, I agree there are similarities in terms of opening one's life via video, but do you think they are similar in terms of narrative? And aren't v-logs generally pre-recorded? I am not absolutely sure about this. Anyway, good work dissecting Jennifer Ringley's life in front of the camera giving up her privacy for seven years!
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Research Critique: JenniCam

Val Lay

Monday, Oct 16, 2017 - 06:05:56 pm

@ ◢ ◤

Supposedly the first image taken on Jennicam. 

Jennicam started as a programming project to test if her script runs correctly where it’ll snap a picture on her webcam every 15 minutes. Who knew it wasn’t too long before it turned into an art project that has taken the internet by storm.

My eyebrows raised when the research on Jennicam started. It raised Read more →

Categories: Hyperessay | Research
Tags: Jennicam | site-specific project | webcam
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Randall Packer
What a great essay! You covered so many interesting ideas. Here is one:
This demonstrates the strong desire of humans of wanting to stay connected with other humans and interests of the lives of others.
I think this is in fact the only valid reason why Jennifer Ringley would have spent seven years in front of a Webcam, and why so many millions of people would have watched her. She provided a platform for an always-0n, continuously-flowing network connection. That in itself is interesting. But added to that, you have a woman sharing herself via the network, and you are right, attracting the male gaze, as well as many curious women as well, as to she would do that. It somehow seems to connect with the "Me too" sharing on the Internet regarding the Hollywood sex scandal. Women do not want to be controlled by dominating men, and in many ways, Jennifer Ringley took control of the camera and her image through this epic project. Great work, I really enjoyed this piece.
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Research Critique: Jennicam

Hannah

Monday, Oct 16, 2017 - 01:42:38 am

@ Hannah Kwah

The idea started off with a friend joking about using the camera Jennifer Ringley bought to update her website to do a FishBowl cam of a person which pilot the JenniCAM. It started off as still images of her daily life from her webcam to her website where her friends was her main audiences in 1996. It later progress to become Read more →

Categories: Hyperessay | Research
Tags: art | culture | giving up your data | internet
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Randall Packer
Excellent essay. You said something that makes me think about a different kind of broadcasting, or at least a different way of describing the broadcast. You said the following:
I guess this was something that was fresh since she took a whole new approach to live broadcast where it was more common to see news live during the 90s rather than oneself personal life.
So given your comment, I would call JenniCam a form of "personal broadcasting." A little different from "social broadcasting" or "co-broadcasting" because it is a solo act. But it's also different from television because that would be "corporate broadcasting" as opposed to a broadcast initiated by one individual. So I think you touched on many great ideas here, including Jennifer Ringley's enormous courage and commitment to broadcasting a sever year project.
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