The Medium I'm In

In thinking more about our class discussion on 5/1 surrounding the differing experiences to be had based on the medium one may be writing or reading in, my thoughts turn again to Marshall McLuhan. This is a true example of his "the Medium is the Message", in that thought processes and actions are influenced and changed based on the medium itself (regardless of the content). In thinking about my own experiences, I do find that I arrange my thoughts differently (and perhaps in a more formal way) when typing rather than writing, and again when I know it may be read by others (albeit in a blog, a seemingly less formal setting). In this case, I find myself revising and re-writing more, perhaps more easily and more frequently in a computer rather than a written medium (which can still be changed, but in my mind has more permanence). How does this relate to ideas of authenticity? It is interesting the think about the potential impact that factors like this may have on content. So, the type of medium can have an influence and also the purpose of the medium (i.e. a blog versus a formal paper). Overall, the experience of blogging has been a great one for me (and one that I will continue), in that though it is still a typed medium it allows for more free thought and expression than perhaps other media would (i.e. formal papers). Considering these factors and the influence they have is important in studying the impact of various media.

To my I2 class: I have enjoyed working and blogging with all of you, and I hope we can continue! :)

Future Projects and Process

In thinking about and expanding on ideas for future I2 collaborations, along with the idea of thinking about the implications of collaboration from the audience perspective, Midori and I came up with ideas stemming from experiences that we have already had in a hospital environment. Midori has had previous experience performing at hospitals as a visiting artist, and I conducted a photography project that aimed to show patient perspectives by alternating images of the hospital environment with images of artworks created by patients as part of the recreational therapy program (titled "View from in Here"). This was a starting point for collaborative possibilities; namely connecting patients with other patients as they undergo artistic endeavors whether through the rec therapy, art therapy or music therapy programs. Allowing patients to "become the artist" and to collaborate/improvise with others in similar circumstances can foster a sense of empowerment, and could be seen as an ideal example of the ideas behind I2 connections (also realizing that a connection does not necessarily have to be made via I2). Visiting artists could also be incorporated into this idea, in that those facilities that do not have these capabilities can perhaps be connected with those that do. Midori and I will be checking into whether a collaboration like this will be possible. Overall, this demonstrates a tremendous capacity for further applications of not only I2 specific connections, but of collaborative process. As Lawrence Halprin states, what we all crave is a "creative involvement in processes"....