Visual Sociology

Multimedia and Academia

openwound — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:17:10 +0000

The geography of recession: http://cohort11.americanobserver.net/latoyaegwuekwe/multimediafinal.html

Make the Invisible Visible

openwound — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 12:51:19 +0000

“The purpose of this vlog is to make the invisible visible. I hope these people and their stories connect with you and don’t let go. I hope their conversations with me will start a conversation in your circle of friends.

After you get to know someone by watching their story, please pause for a few moments and write your thoughts in the comments section, or maybe email them to a friend and link back to this vlog . By keeping this dialog open we can help a forgotten people.”

–from Invisible People

The power of images

openwound — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 04:41:19 +0000

Photographer Lu Guang produces documentary photographs depicting social issues. This series captures pollution in China.

All photos by Lu Guang. More images here.

Social Networking as Activism

openwound — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 04:12:42 +0000

“As someone who knew firsthand the shame of homelessness, Horvath felt compelled to do something about it. He wanted to share stories about others like him and put a face — many faces — on the problem.”

“Armed with a hand-held videocamera, a microphone, a laptop and an iPhone, Horvath approaches homeless people on their own turf and empowers them to share their personal stories. He posts the raw, unedited video interviews on his Web site, InvisiblePeople.tv, and other places.”

Listen to the Wall!

openwound — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 05:33:15 +0000

I went to the Berlin Wall this past summer. I think it’s interesting to see the creative ways people interact with borders.

Collection of sound recordings from the Berlin Wall: http://www.netaudioberlin.de/berlin-wall-of-sound/

Generative Art

openwound — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:28:50 +0000

On one hand, this has very little to do with my current documentary project…but I think everything is somehow interconnected. I’ve been reading a lot about using computer codes to create digital imagery. I am somewhat familiar with Java Script so it helps me navigate around Processing.

Visual Text as a Bridge

openwound — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:12:57 +0000

Vimeo has an interesting section on “Socially Minded Documentaries.” I have been watching a few of the documentaries on it whenever I get the chance. Overall, I am excited that there are specialized spaces online for this type of outreach and communication. But sometimes I just feel overwhelmed when “social issues” are lumped together in a giant pile. It’s almost as if my mind cannot fully fathom or process the reality and the immediacy of what is happening worldwide. It almost makes everything surreal and I am not sure if I should do something or what I could even do. We live in a society inundated with stimulation, I think it is easy to grow numb.

How could we more effectively present visual text? I think it really would be productive to more fully engage the audience and provide tangible yet creative ways to get involved. So the visual text would really be a context or a beginning of something even more tangible. It could mean volunteering in the community but it could just mean starting dialogues.

YouTube

openwound — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 04:25:57 +0000

Dr. Michael Wesch, a digital ethnographer and anthropologist at Kansas State University, gave a lecture at the Library of Congress on An Anthropological Introduction to YouTube.

“I like to think of it as more than just a dance. It’s a celebration. It’s a celebration of new forms of empowerment, anybody with a web cam now has a stronger voice and presence. It’s a celebration of new forms of community and types of community that we’ve never really seen before; global connections transcending space and time. It’s a celebration of new and unimaginable possibility..” — A quote from the lecture

Of course, he highlights important aspects of studying digital media. But I’m struck by the ease he uses technology in his presentation. The way he uses technology reflects the culture of the World Wide Web or what he calls the “mediascape.”

A few notes:

How can I effectively incorporate technology and visual media into presentations? (I think it’s important that Dr. Wesch switches off what is happening on the screen whenever he needs to directly address the audience)
Would it be worthwhile to start “vlogging” as a way to understand the “mediascape” and the ways people connect online? (Dr. Wesch requires his students to make vlog posts…but does this mean I will perform a unique YouTube personality, or a caricature of myself?)
Could I post unfinished sections of my video documentary as a way to communicate with others and receive feedback? (Perhaps even as a way to get feedback from Professor JBM or Katherine)

Introduction

openwound — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 19:28:26 +0000

More information about this blog
Preview the documentary, The Borderlands
Resources about border/race studies and visual culture