Week 2
This weeks topic of archives and databases was initially a topic I had no interest in and was dreading due to my lack of knowledge on the topic. When I think of the idea of databases my mind instantly thinks of IT and things that I do not naturally understand.
However, from the material this week I am starting to see how it is much more than that and how it can be something I might understand after all. I see that it is more than just a set of random numbers on a screen but it can be displayed in many different ways. This week's reading of Lev Manovich's (1998) Database as a Symbolic Form explains this when saying that no matter how new media presents itself, whether it be interactive narratives, linear narratives etc, they are all databases. These databases are the basis of all forms of digital art.
The material this week specifically touched on Installation and what it entails and the concept that you can emerge yourself into something that sometimes technically isn't even there blows my mind. Using the example of the Rain Room, it has always intrigued me. I've seen photos on social media and just didn't understand how it was possible to walk through the rain and not get wet. I have always wanted to see it for myself. Is it just the way it's been photographed? I had always assumed it was a doctored imagine or it was photographed in a perspective which created such an illusion. I always had this assumption of what I thought it was only to find that it uses the technology of 3D tracking cameras that allow you to freely walk through the exhibit as each section of rainfall ceases as you pass due to the camera's being able to sense your presence. It is absolutely incredible.
I have always known databases to be these complex system that I figured I would never understand, so why bother trying. Now seeing that majority of these databases are "more basic" that it seems (Manovich, 1998). I see that I need to disassociate the word with solely computer science and be able to apply it with digital media as well.
Being an avid user of the internet I probably should be a little more aware of the significance of archives and databases as Manovich (1998) says they "really flourished... on the internet". However, I think the reason I was so happily oblivious to the notion is because we share so much of ourselves online and while I am aware that once something is online it's there forever, I never thought deeply enough about it because it's a scary thought. I have always been aware of the things that I post. Made sure that nothing was ever going to come back and haunt me. However, I have occasionally made a post that I thought 'oh that's not necessary' and deleted it. I was also quite young on the internet (not to say I am not still young), and 21 year old Eden now definitely regrets her multiple One Direction posts she made to Facebook. But I forgot all about those until Facebook brought memories to the table. I guess it's things like that, that really make me anxious. While I have gone through and deleted all those now embarrassing posts, I think, are they well and truely gone. Although, I must admit I am glad that's the worst of my contributions to my personal online archive.
How far back are things archived? How deep are these databases. While I see the importance and necessity in both, I can't help but worry about possible negative implications. Although, additionally, the negatives only come when used incorrectly. In this case, the pros outweigh any cons. Today's world relies so much on new technologies and medias. We thrive on all forms of entertainment whether it be film and television, or music and sound, or even virtual reality. All of these digital art forms can be built upon databases.
While I may not fully understand the complexity of archives and databases. I already know more that an I knew before and I plan on learning more as I go. I know now, it's not as scary as it seems and I more I continue to look into it and research the more I will understand and grow in my knowledge which I am really looking forward to.
References:
Manovich, L (1998). Database as a Symbolic Form. Retrieved from Manovich: http://manovich.net/content/04-projects/022-database-as-a-symbolic -form/19_article_1998.pdf
However, from the material this week I am starting to see how it is much more than that and how it can be something I might understand after all. I see that it is more than just a set of random numbers on a screen but it can be displayed in many different ways. This week's reading of Lev Manovich's (1998) Database as a Symbolic Form explains this when saying that no matter how new media presents itself, whether it be interactive narratives, linear narratives etc, they are all databases. These databases are the basis of all forms of digital art.
The material this week specifically touched on Installation and what it entails and the concept that you can emerge yourself into something that sometimes technically isn't even there blows my mind. Using the example of the Rain Room, it has always intrigued me. I've seen photos on social media and just didn't understand how it was possible to walk through the rain and not get wet. I have always wanted to see it for myself. Is it just the way it's been photographed? I had always assumed it was a doctored imagine or it was photographed in a perspective which created such an illusion. I always had this assumption of what I thought it was only to find that it uses the technology of 3D tracking cameras that allow you to freely walk through the exhibit as each section of rainfall ceases as you pass due to the camera's being able to sense your presence. It is absolutely incredible.
I have always known databases to be these complex system that I figured I would never understand, so why bother trying. Now seeing that majority of these databases are "more basic" that it seems (Manovich, 1998). I see that I need to disassociate the word with solely computer science and be able to apply it with digital media as well.
Being an avid user of the internet I probably should be a little more aware of the significance of archives and databases as Manovich (1998) says they "really flourished... on the internet". However, I think the reason I was so happily oblivious to the notion is because we share so much of ourselves online and while I am aware that once something is online it's there forever, I never thought deeply enough about it because it's a scary thought. I have always been aware of the things that I post. Made sure that nothing was ever going to come back and haunt me. However, I have occasionally made a post that I thought 'oh that's not necessary' and deleted it. I was also quite young on the internet (not to say I am not still young), and 21 year old Eden now definitely regrets her multiple One Direction posts she made to Facebook. But I forgot all about those until Facebook brought memories to the table. I guess it's things like that, that really make me anxious. While I have gone through and deleted all those now embarrassing posts, I think, are they well and truely gone. Although, I must admit I am glad that's the worst of my contributions to my personal online archive.
How far back are things archived? How deep are these databases. While I see the importance and necessity in both, I can't help but worry about possible negative implications. Although, additionally, the negatives only come when used incorrectly. In this case, the pros outweigh any cons. Today's world relies so much on new technologies and medias. We thrive on all forms of entertainment whether it be film and television, or music and sound, or even virtual reality. All of these digital art forms can be built upon databases.
While I may not fully understand the complexity of archives and databases. I already know more that an I knew before and I plan on learning more as I go. I know now, it's not as scary as it seems and I more I continue to look into it and research the more I will understand and grow in my knowledge which I am really looking forward to.
References:
Manovich, L (1998). Database as a Symbolic Form. Retrieved from Manovich: http://manovich.net/content/04-projects/022-database-as-a-symbolic -form/19_article_1998.pdf
I like your honest opening.
ReplyDeleteThe body of your blog really shows that you got to understand the topic even though you had reservations in the beginning.
Your conclusion reinforces your understanding of the topic but also finishes with another personal observation including a reflection of not only the topic but your ability as well.
Well done!
Great post Eden. I thought the exact same thing about Databases, that they were some confusing IT word! But now I realise how basic databases are - they are basically anything, whether images or writing or something else electronic. I'm glad you simplified it in such a good way - 'the basis of all forms of digital art'. Now that I'm doing my digital project I think about the way in which my images and sound are databases!
ReplyDelete