Days 1 & 2 — FWT Project: Here we go (again)
23.04.14 — Day 1
Online briefing with the client Freie Werkstatt Theater (FWT) in Köln.
FWT is a fringe independent theater and is one of the big four indie theaters in Cologne. It describes its mission and vision as a space for contemporary communication about society, an open space for an exchange of ideas. It is on a discovery journey exploring digitality in theater and how it can enhance the impact of the plays shown, and the themes covered in them. Currently, their main channels are their website and their Instagram account. Target audience: 25–35.
The play for which we are to produce a concept and prototype is called REVOLT. SHE SAID. REVOLT AGAIN. written by British playwright Alice Birch, born in 1986, the play is a feminist outcry. It shows how deeply language, behavior and thoughts about work and private life continue to be permeated by violence against women.
Questions that arise:
What is feminism today?
What does feminism mean to me?
I think feminism is one aspect of a greater theme that affects not only women but all genders today, and that is the system of patriarchy. A system that permeates every aspect of our lives and our identities. A cruel system that never allowed for the diversity that is human life to truly express itself. A system that is slowly being — and must be — dismantled.
I grew up in a very patriarchal society that openly and viciously broke women’s wings. In reading the play and thinking about feminism, I am once again confronted by an inner rage at a system that has consistently aimed to control me and my body, and that of all those this system oppresses. And it does with violence, discrimination and injustice. It is difficult for me to address a subject that goes under my skin, that has been a defining part of my personal struggle. I am both excited and nervous about this project.
23.04.18 — Day 2
First day of PE2. Maren Demant from Invisible Room led us through a full-day process in which we:
Established an agency Glitch Unlimited. We see ourselves as a creative collective of digital creators. We are a collective of international artists, designers, journalists, producers, filmmakers, and writers. As a group we are diverse in culture, gender and age, with a wide range of experience, skills and interests, but most of all, we are rich in curiosity, exploration, and passion to make a difference.
Visualised our skillsets using the Market Stall method, in which we described skills, abilities and personality traits that are relevant, those that may or may not be relevant, and what we would like to learn from the others. An excellent process that allowed us to think about and crystallise what we bring to the table and what we want to expand on. And by sharing our perspectives of others on their boards, it allowed us to not only be seen, but also to show that we see and value each other as a team.
Delved into Design Thinking and Agile Development, diving into the discover stage of the process. Here we discussed the client briefing, extracting the core ideas, wants and needs the client expressed. We worked on Miro to gather our thoughts during these discussions.
Core ideas were bilateral exchange with their audience, expand their online presence though creative XR digital narratives, and attract younger audiences to their theater.
Discussed how we might gather feedback from the audience and settled on the old-fashioned method of interviewing guests before and after the play. Equipment is to be kept at a minimum so as reduce complexity and allow us to focus our resources on developing ideas in such a short period. This is currently in development and we will prep this before seeing the play tomorrow. Important here is that also we think about and document our own user journey from the moment we leave to go watch the play to when we return home after the play. User journeys are crucial to mapping out the different steps an audience member goes through the experience from start to finish.
Explored WebXR, what it is, and how it works. Maren introduced us to several tools and projects, in particular concerning Augmented Reality.
Google is very active on this front and there is much to explore.
