Eleanor Greenhalgh, Trimester 3, 2012

Trimester 2, 2012.

Description

Outcome: The Dissolute Image

This trimester I realized the 'proof of concept' shown in prototype form in Trimester 2: a distributed archiving technique for storing each pixel of an image at a different URL, thus evading 2.0 content moderation policies. The alpha version of The Dissolute Image is online [| here].

Aims

Aims in Trim 3:

Learn how to use a database

* to store pixel data

* to keep track of 'adopted' & 'available' pixels

* to assignin pixels to users

* to remove pixels from the image if deleted remotely by their hosts

Project aims developed in Trim 2:

Highlight the precarity of remotely hosted data & the relevance of physical location/ server ownership
Question the logic of censorship by deconstructing the image to the level of pixel
Encourage reflection on the role, responsibilities and power of the 'host'
Learn about the usage and possibilities of command-line tools for image deconstruction & composition
Learn how to use Python for scraping & collection of dispersed online data

Proposal for Trimester 2.1: Consent

While realizing a working version of The Dissolute Image I developed a proposal for further research in Trimester 1 of year 2. This proposal attempts to resolve some of the theoretical problems with the Dissolute Image, namely:

Aggregation by a single centre
Curation/ choice of content by a single person
Wide online availability of content only banned on certain platforms

Proposal: A publishing project expanding the logic of The Dissolute Image to a whole publication, with each item submitted requiring adoption by other/s in order to appear in the final publication. This project will unite my research thus far at PZI - on hosting, physical media and solidarity - to previous recurring concerns with democracy and consent. Notes and rationale are here

Media

Photos

Installation views of The Dissolute Image at Creative Now! at WORM, 30 June 2012:

Playback of the pixels adopted during Creative Now! at WORM, 30 June 2012:

Writing

Abstract

A number of short texts continuing previous research on the notion of autonomous authorship. Expanded during conversations at LiWoLi festival, as described in texts above, to a broader concern with how autonomous personhood is constructed.

Additional Information

My working journal for Trim 3 is here

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