Overview of the Project Hyperessay
The Project Hyperessay is intended to provide a step by step method to help catalyze the process of creating a final project. Using the form of the hyperessay, integrate a textual description with relevant graphics, video, sound, and links drawn from micro-projects, readings, discussion and other research to develop the final project. Gather together media and links to related readings and/or artworks that support your project hyperessay. The project hyperessay will be carried out in four sections/posts throughout the course of the semester and displayed as a “category page” using the category “Project Hyperessay” on your site. The project hyperessay will be developed in three sections over the course of the semester. Each section will be created as a unique WordPress post, and revised throughout the semester as your project evolves. The project hyperessay should take full advantage of the multimedia capabilities of WordPress: with embedded images, video, links, sound, etc.
The following are the three sections of the project hyperessay, including due dates for each:
NOTE: Use a unique post for each section, applying the category “Project Hyperessay” to each post. Also, remember to always use the featured image.
Project Hyperessay #1: Concept
Concept: For the first installment of the Project Hyperessay, formulate an initial concept for your final project based on what we have learned and created in class so far this semester. For example we have discussed several topics, issues and artistic approaches related to media & performance, including: collective narrative, the third space, virtual bodies in telematic space, the body as instrument, etc. The concept should be concise, engaging, and should clearly describe what the project is about, its artistic objectives, whether or not it has an interactive component, how it might involve the viewer, and how it engages and has been influenced by our discussion of media, the Internet, and performance. Writeup your concept as an approximately 300-500 word hyperessay with media and hyperlinks that illustrate the idea. Reference at least one essay and one artwork we have discussed that supports your idea.
a: Complete your Project Hyperessay post no later than 10:00 AM on Wednesday, February 18. (Be sure and use the category: Project Hyperessay)
b: Read at least one other Project Hyperessay and post a comment on each one, providing the student with a short response. The purpose of this to become familiar with everyone’s ideas and provide comments and feedback.. All commenting is due on Wednesday, Feb 25 in time for class.
c: During the week of February 18, I will have individual Skype meetings with everyone to discuss the project ideas.
Project Hyperessay #2 – Technical Realization
Technical Realization: Provide a technical description with any sketches, drawings, photographs you have done, which help articulate the technical elements of the work, as well as any specific software and/or hardware that is required for the project. We are exploring various software platforms such as Adobe Connect, Skype, Max and WordPress, which you might want to incorporate into the project. Based on what has interested you so far, come up with an idea for a final project. Some of the questions you might want to answer: Does the work require a physical space? Does it need to be projected or can it be displayed via a monitor? Does the work reside entirely online? Does the viewer need to download anything? What software and hardware is involved? By this stage of the process, it is important to have examples of specific work you are creating that demonstrate the ideas and concepts expressed in the first two installments of the Project Hyperessay.
For class on the 18th: be prepared to show an example or sketch of the work-in-progress, whether it be a video, images, sounds, online tests: an element of the work that will give us a clear idea of how the project is taking shape. You may assemble your work in a Powerpoint presentation, present from your Website, or show individual clips and/or material. Each student will present for approximately five minutes each followed by short discussion.
a: Complete your Project Hyperessay post no later than 10:00 AM on Wednesday, March 18. (Be sure and use the category: Project Hyperessay)
b: Based on the Project Hyperessay II Technical Realization, prepare a Powerpoint presentation, or Web page of media, for an approximately 5 minute prsentation.
c: Read at least one other Project Hyperessay and post a comment on each one, providing the student with a short response. The purpose of this to become familiar with everyone’s ideas and provide comments and feedback. All commenting is due on Wednesday, March 25 in time for class.
Project Hyperessay #3 / Project Page – Conclusion
For the last installment of the project hyperessay, create a page rather than a post, and place it on the main menu of your Website.
Conclusion: The concluding installment of the Project Hyperessay will give you an opportunity to synthesize the elements of your project. Now that the project is completed, provide a concise overview/description that also serves as your project page. Include the final media work or a link to the work. What ideas and concepts discussed in the course were incorporated into the project? What aspects of media & performance does the project address? How does the project bridge your practice with Internet concepts and ideas? What were some of the key ideas about performance work that were new to your experience that influenced your project? What issues from the course were examined in your project ? And finally, how did your project evolve as a result of the Web practices you learned using WordPress (OSS) as a medium for critical writing, research and artistic production?
Complete your final Project Hyperessay Conclusion as your “Project Page” for your WordPress site. Give the page the same title as the work itself. You should then have three pages on your site: Home, About (bio), Final Project (hyperessay conclusion).
Due: Friday, April 17
General Comments
The project hyperessay is a living, changing document, a work-in-progress, throughout the semester. The three sections/posts will be updated as the final project progresses. Ultimately, the project hyperessay will form the basis for the critique of your final project at the end of the semester, when it will be reviewed in full. The project hyperessay is very useful to tracking the artistic process, allowing you to examine the progress of your work, and to ask questions such as: Have you been able to achieve the intent of the work? Have you been able to fully realize the work’s potential? Have you fully challenged and thought through the ideas presented in Media & Performance? Does your project hyperessay show that you have incorporated concepts we have addressed? These are important considerations for a successful hyperessay and final project. The project hyperessay is not intended to be entirely faithful to the original idea of the work, rather, it allows you to track, alter, change, revise, and reconsider your ideas through the course of the semester. Since the document can be updated, you can revise accordingly as you refine your concept, find new technical solutions, or incorporate entirely new influences.