Wednesday October 01, 2008 Materiality - CRD 704 - Reading 7
Wysocki seems to take some interesting paths in her piece "Opening new media to writing".
One thing I'm never really clear on when I read writing about writing is the reference to creating the self. For awhile reading Wysocki, I kept thinking "what is she talking about? How am I creating a self through my writing?" But I reread some pieces and I get it (I think): I create a self through my thoughts and their (I don't even know what to call it) presentation to others; I situate myself, etc. But this is not unique to writing is it? I mean, when I speak I also present a self. And when I draw, go to the gym, drive around, shop. I'm curiious why I feel like writing views itself as more privileged in creating a self .
But the interesting part of Wysocki is her use of the concept of materiality to define new media. It's a lengthy definition that includes things like socioeconomic conditions, personal conditions, technological aspects, teacher characteristics and relations, university environment etc. And she asserts that to be considered her definition of new media, the "composers" of it need to be aware of the materiality in themselves and in their work. The materials are the Material. Or maybe its the Material are the materials.
That's a lofty goal, I like the idea but I'm not entirely sure why new media makes this is so important. And how can it even be achieved? I liked the map exercise she designed for students and I think this shows some of the concept of materiality to students who create them -- especially because it was so visual and textual... but materiality is a long list of concepts to consider and I wonder just how much of it students, or we, can be aware when we compose new media pieces.
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Writing New Media:
- Wysocki, "Opening new media to writing"
- Sirc, "Box-logic"
- Johnson-Eilola, "The database and the essay"
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