third space – Hannah

Mobile Cam Exercise #3

My tour from this computer classroom to the lobby is quite interesting. It begins closed in, surrounded by computers (a form of teleportation into the third space), follows down a narrow hallway, and then suddenly opens into the larger lobby of the building, surrounded by glass into the real world.

I was able to time my performance to the 10 minute mark, included intentional pauses as I continued along. I have to be careful of the echo that can happen in the classroom that I begin in, and then the hallway that I continue down. However, once I enter the open lobby, the sounds of the building take over the audio.

Wi-fi is not an issue as I am on my data plan for the duration of the performance.

Walking without the pauses in my journey takes approximately 2 minutes.

Micro-Project IV: The Telematic Embrace

I believe that the third space remains the third space. In a way, by partaking in these collective movements (as seen below), it feels as if we are together because we are creating something together.

However, there are distinct differences. When I am Skyping an individual, I am sitting at my desk, looking at my computer and talking to them about this or that. This is not a realistic interaction, unless it was an interview. In real life, my conversations elapse over an activity, be it washing the dishes, making a meal, walking to an event, or sitting over a cup of tea. It is quite rare that two individuals would sit across from each other, directly looking at each other’s faces, and sit there and speak until the conversation is over. A sense of intimacy and closeness can be felt from this interaction, as there is a similar stimulation coming from the auditory and visual parts of our brain (we can hear and see each other). Nevertheless, the interaction is missing the intimacy of being able to feel the physical presence of someone there with you. Of course the third space can be playful, absurd or compelling, as is seen in Hole-In-Space, when the knowledge of the third space and the protective barrier of known true distance allowed the individuals to act abnormally while remaining safe.

Project Hyperessay II: Technical Realization

My final project, where I will hold a telematic dinner party, will be entirely based upon technology. I will be using Adobe Connect, just as we have in our online classes the past few weeks. I will have my participants download the app and become a little more comfortable with it, myself as well. We will all act as we normally would throughout a dinner party: eating, laughing, telling stories, interacting, etc. However, I am aware that technical difficulties can arise. As we have experienced in class, when too many people are involved, the connection can become glitchy or lagged. It is for this reason that I am keeping the numbers small: 5 people in total. I will be sure to have all members on the laptops because, after experience it myself, the connection on the phone can be quite unreliable. As I have instructed all of the participants to be at home throughout the event, I trust that the internet connections should be quite steady.

Below is an image (screenshot) of my experimentation with Adobe Connect Mobile. As you can see, I am smiling in this photo because I am aware that it is happening. However, Kathryn appears “paused” and Bridget is not in the picture. This is due to our lag and bad connection, causing us to be unable to properly communicate.