Two strategies in one course: principles of Story Telling and Rapid Prototyping
In this ten weeks workshop, we confront two - at first site opposing - strategies for creation: Story Telling (by Suzie Breikers) and Rapid Prototyping (by Peter Missotten). In the fashion of Rapid Prototyping, students are asked to make a media art creation based on a given title, within two days. The titles are seen as an inspiring enigma - such as 'My back is your black', not as an assignment. These creations are commented on by the peers, while the creator remains silent and presents the work without any introduction. Peers are asked for the perceived meaning of the work: What does it do to me? How does it function? What does it remind me of? Are there any references to other artists? How would I improve the work and/or its presentation? In this strategy, all meaning is created by the public: the work functions mainly as a catalyser. Students discover hidden layers of meaning in their own work. They learn to trust their guts in this speedy creation process. Self-censorship is avoided in this proces.
In the alternating weeks of the workshop, an introduction on story telling is given: how to use different media as a vessel for meaning. How to get the message across? Students work on a story based on their hopes and concerns about the influence of technology on society. These are presented at the end using different media.
