Socially engaged art 01
socially engaged art class 1
Assignment
Readings:
From Pablo Helguera Education for Socially Engaged Art (available for purchase online): Introduction and Chapter 1
Reading from Radical Technologies (Introduction, beginning of Chapter 10 (pgs. 273-280.). Chapter 1 is optional but useful) (In Shared Materials folder on Drive)
“Living as Form” by Nato Thompson (In Shared Materials folder on Drive)
if you prefer viewing: Nato Thompson gives a good introduction here that is similar to the text above
Comparing a variety of online platforms
“How the Art of Social Practice Is Changing the World, One Row House at a Time” Carolyn Miranda, Artnet News, 2014.
Response to reading/viewing:
a. Education for socially Engaged Art:
Through Chapter one of Education for socially Engaged Art, I think I have a basic understanding of the SEA. What impressed me most and I've never thought before is the idea that "SEA depends on actual--not imagined of hypothetical --social action." I appreciate the two examples of the symbolic level of works that the writer mentions in the book, especially the second one. I think "ACTUAL" is the key to keep art grounded and let it connect to the community.
As far as I am concerned, the reason why works cannot be socially engaged is usually the lack of intervention in interaction. Such works may not attract audiences' attention and participation, not to mention show ideas or even influencing the audience. This is why works often degenerate into artists' narcissism. The "Actual" principle of SEA forces artists/creators to think about effective interactions, build bridges between works and audiences.
Suggest an online platform as public space, and set up instructions for how to access it, OR do deep-dive research on your assigned social media platform.
a. Tumblr
Tumblr (stylized as tumblr and pronounced "tumbler") is an American microblogging and social networking website founded by David Karp in 2007 and currently owned by Automattic. The service allows users to post multimedia and other content to a short-form blog. Users can follow other users' blogs. Bloggers can also make their blogs private.For bloggers many of the website's features are accessed from a "dashboard" interface.
As of July 2021, Tumblr hosts more than 529 million blogs.--From Wikipedia
(Weibo 2009) (Lofter 2012)
My own experience using Tumblr:
What I love about Tumblr is that there are SO MANY categories that users can choose (44 categories I suppose). And in each Category, there are more tags that users can select. Also the interfaces are quite cute.
The home page of Tumblr is quite related to instagram/ facebook. There are functional keys for likes, transmit, share and see others comments.
( I do love the comment area of Tumblr. Comparing with the comment area of other platform, the interface of it is more like a chat box, which helps to make a better atmosphere of discussion)
The main reason that I like Tumblr is a good place for subculture. I can find a lot of people who share my interests more quickly here, which can be difficult in real life. In real life, it's easy to label or put someone in the same category if they actively display their passion for a subculture. Some people don't care about the situation, but others are scared. In some degree online space like Tumblr offer user a place to express their enthusiasm freely, and offer them an irreplaceable sense of belonging.
Besides, Tumblr is a great place for fan art, which is a great filed of creative work but always been underestimate.
