Extra Credit Blog #2: Codes & Modes

Extra Credit Assignment #2: Codes & Modes

            On March 16, I attended the first day of Codes & Modes Conference. The three day event was organized by Martin Lucas, an Associate Professor of the Integrated Media Arts MFA Program from Hunter College. The event was also organized by Andrew Demirjian, an Assistant Professor of the Integrated Media Arts MFA Program from Hunter College and Heidi Boisvert, an Assistant Professor of the Emerging Media Technology Program from NYC College of Technology. The conference explores how augmented reality and artificial intelligence has influenced our experiences through emerging/multidimensional technologies such as VR. The first day included an opening reception/remarks about the exhibition, an introduction to Lively, and an talk/Q&A with Mandy Rose, Co-Director of i-Docs and Dan Archer, Founder of Empathetic Media. Their talk focused on Immersion, Embodiment, and Empathetic Engagement.

            Lucas introduced the exhibition discussing the individual’s desire to solve world problems, the relations between the makers of the product or platform and its users, how many visual artists are trying to re-examine the basics of documentary film-making, the context of critical thinking, and the ability to see a place in Real Time. Lively is an app created by Jonah Bricker-Cohen which explores the use of the dynamic image and he demonstrated how it worked. Once the audience texted the number on the big screen they were allowed to post comments and their comments came up on the screen along with matching pictures. Mandy’s research focuses on the theoretical aspects of virtual reality while Dan’s research focuses on print media and interactive storytelling. Mandy discussed the use of CGI and Volumetric Capture, how VR has become an empathy machine, how VR has presented the filmmaker with a new form of presence, and how VR has led to an increase in observational film-making which can be seen in such films like Waves of Grace (2015).

            Dan discussed his journey into establishing an interactive narrative through 360 degree video. Dan wanted to explore different ways on how we can put ourselves into other people’s shoes. The two most important aspects when creating these interviews was establishing an strong level of comfort on the story topic and the building of trust between the interviewer and the interviewee. Dan also discussed our desire to find out more about an situation, concept, or group. Dan is currently working on Beneath These Restless Skies; an VR/360 degree video reboot of an 50 year old series of photographs shot by photographer Gordon Parks called “A Harlem Family”. He also discussed his work in Medellin, Colombia through his piece called, Peace of Colombia which focused on the testimonials from the victims/offenders ranging from guerillas to paramilitaries involved during the conflict. He also discussed about the importance of narrator consistency when creating these interactive narratives.