Dynamic media: innovative social and artistic developments in new media in Australia, Britain, Canada and Scandinavia since 1990. This study will foreground strengths and remedy weaknesses in Australian new media arts and innovative social uses of new media. By studying the international strategies for social use of dynamic media, this study will provide information for Australians to more extensively implement dynamic media within a social context. It will highlight the innovation of Australian ....Dynamic media: innovative social and artistic developments in new media in Australia, Britain, Canada and Scandinavia since 1990. This study will foreground strengths and remedy weaknesses in Australian new media arts and innovative social uses of new media. By studying the international strategies for social use of dynamic media, this study will provide information for Australians to more extensively implement dynamic media within a social context. It will highlight the innovation of Australian artists and researchers in the development of dynamic media and position these internationally. A major long-term benefit of this study will be an online database that will both profile and be accessible to Australian artists, arts organizations, new media researchers and social innovators. Read moreRead less
The Internationalisation Of Charlie Chaplin's Tramp. This project is a cross-cultural and interdisciplinary study of the multifarious reincarnations of Charlie Chaplin's The Tramp across the world's film, theatre, television and advertising industries over the last nine decades. The project examines the appeal of Chaplin's Tramp in different languages and cultures, and the ways in which the figure has been adapted, translated, reconfigured and indigenised for local audiences and their individu ....The Internationalisation Of Charlie Chaplin's Tramp. This project is a cross-cultural and interdisciplinary study of the multifarious reincarnations of Charlie Chaplin's The Tramp across the world's film, theatre, television and advertising industries over the last nine decades. The project examines the appeal of Chaplin's Tramp in different languages and cultures, and the ways in which the figure has been adapted, translated, reconfigured and indigenised for local audiences and their individual contexts and traditions. The Internationalisation Of Chaplin's Tramp draws on theoretical perspectives and methodologies from screen studies, history, the visual arts, anthropology and cultural studies and the writing and production practices of documentary film.Read moreRead less
The Spatial Impact of Digital Technology on Contemporary Art and New Art Institutions. Our aim is to explore the impact of digital technology on the production and display of contemporary art. Our focus is the spatial formation of the art institution at a time of historic transition, as object based collections are joined by new forms of technological imagery. We propose a distinct interdisciplinary methodology using spatial analysis derived from theories of contemporary art, new media theory an ....The Spatial Impact of Digital Technology on Contemporary Art and New Art Institutions. Our aim is to explore the impact of digital technology on the production and display of contemporary art. Our focus is the spatial formation of the art institution at a time of historic transition, as object based collections are joined by new forms of technological imagery. We propose a distinct interdisciplinary methodology using spatial analysis derived from theories of contemporary art, new media theory and critical social theory. The project's significance lies in developing insights into the new parameters of cultural production and cultural exchange. This will have strategic relevance for analysing the cultural impact of the emergent information society.Read moreRead less
Public screens and their transformation of social interactions in public spaces. This project will provide the first Australian analysis of public interaction with large electronic screens. The installation of large screens in public spaces is rapidly expanding in cities around the world. Our project will explore the potential for these screens to support new cultural practices and generate new social interactions. The research involves a cross-cultural comparison of screens in Europe, Asia ....Public screens and their transformation of social interactions in public spaces. This project will provide the first Australian analysis of public interaction with large electronic screens. The installation of large screens in public spaces is rapidly expanding in cities around the world. Our project will explore the potential for these screens to support new cultural practices and generate new social interactions. The research involves a cross-cultural comparison of screens in Europe, Asia and North America, along with the 'Big Screen' in Federation Square, Melbourne. The strategic value of the project is its capacity to inform public policy, and to improve understanding of the dynamics of public culture in mediated societies.Read moreRead less
The Power of the Image: affect, audience and disturbing imagery. In a period of fear and uncertainty about terrorism and war there is a pressing need to examine the specific contemporary modes of teenagers' engagements with media violence and the ways it contributes to their understanding of violence in the world around them. This project will identify the links young people make between affective and emotional reactions to media imagery, their own values and attitudes about the violence in ever ....The Power of the Image: affect, audience and disturbing imagery. In a period of fear and uncertainty about terrorism and war there is a pressing need to examine the specific contemporary modes of teenagers' engagements with media violence and the ways it contributes to their understanding of violence in the world around them. This project will identify the links young people make between affective and emotional reactions to media imagery, their own values and attitudes about the violence in everyday life (e.g. sexual harassment, bullying, fights at school), and their assessment of their own power and agency. It adds much needed Australian research to a field lacking a distinctive Australian perspective.Read moreRead less
Alternative Public Spheres: Alexander Kluge's Film and Television Experiments. This project will make a significant contribution to the emphasis on 'Promoting an Innovation Culture and Economy' outlined in Research Priority 3 through its analysis of the important role film and television producers can play in the establishment of alternative public spheres. Taking Alexander Kluge's groundbreaking work as a case study, it will highlight the integral relationship between an active public sphere an ....Alternative Public Spheres: Alexander Kluge's Film and Television Experiments. This project will make a significant contribution to the emphasis on 'Promoting an Innovation Culture and Economy' outlined in Research Priority 3 through its analysis of the important role film and television producers can play in the establishment of alternative public spheres. Taking Alexander Kluge's groundbreaking work as a case study, it will highlight the integral relationship between an active public sphere and the sustenance of an innovative and democratic culture in which the capacity to think 'outside the square' is fostered, supported, and appreciated. In doing so, it will internationalise Australia's knowledge base in the field, and place Australia at the forefront of international debates in Screen Studies.Read moreRead less
The body-computer interface in new media art from 1984 to the present. Our understanding of computers is restricted by dominant cognitive models of the interface. This study produces an aesthetic framework for analysing new media art as a genre and traces its development through changes in the interface from the restricted keyboard/screen assemblage through multiple sensory interfaces to the emerging trend of producing the interface as dynamic relation between biology and code. It examines the d ....The body-computer interface in new media art from 1984 to the present. Our understanding of computers is restricted by dominant cognitive models of the interface. This study produces an aesthetic framework for analysing new media art as a genre and traces its development through changes in the interface from the restricted keyboard/screen assemblage through multiple sensory interfaces to the emerging trend of producing the interface as dynamic relation between biology and code. It examines the development of interfaces between the body and computers in new media art work, establishing that new media artists, from 1984 onwards, have focussed upon the sensate body as site for interfacing with, and interpenetrating, virtual media.Read moreRead less
Spectopolis: Theme Park Worlds, their History and Significance for Contemporary Culture. This project will outline the historical development of the theme park, evaluating the significance of the growing interest in theme park cultures in recent years. Parallels that exist between C17th and late C20th/C21st entertainment spectacles will be explored, including the formal connections that exist between theme parks and C17th aristocratic gardens, villas, and theatrical spectacles. In comparing both ....Spectopolis: Theme Park Worlds, their History and Significance for Contemporary Culture. This project will outline the historical development of the theme park, evaluating the significance of the growing interest in theme park cultures in recent years. Parallels that exist between C17th and late C20th/C21st entertainment spectacles will be explored, including the formal connections that exist between theme parks and C17th aristocratic gardens, villas, and theatrical spectacles. In comparing both eras, the project will theoretically evaluate the cultural significance of our current fascination with spectacle environments. In comparing the C17th and late C20th/C21st attraction with such spectacular spaces, it is proposed that we are witnessing a return to a culture of the baroque.Read moreRead less
The History of Theme Parks and their Cultural Significance for Contemporary Society. This project will outline the historical development of the theme park, evaluating the significance of the growing interest in theme park cultures in recent years. The formal connections between theme parks and earlier C16th and C17th theatrical spectacles, and garden and villa designs will be of primary focus. In returning to these earlier historical sources, it is proposed that we are returning to a culture of ....The History of Theme Parks and their Cultural Significance for Contemporary Society. This project will outline the historical development of the theme park, evaluating the significance of the growing interest in theme park cultures in recent years. The formal connections between theme parks and earlier C16th and C17th theatrical spectacles, and garden and villa designs will be of primary focus. In returning to these earlier historical sources, it is proposed that we are returning to a culture of the baroque (and its delight in spectacular spaces). In turn, the social and cultural implications of such a return will be a central concern.Read moreRead less
Branding Cities on the West Pacific Rim: Cinematic Traditions and Tourism Marketing Strategies in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Sydney. This innovative project emphasises brand-building as a part of visual culture, and cinema as a contributory influence to marketing decisions. It will produce a landmark study of media synergies in the contemporary world. It compares cinematic traditions and tourism marketing in cosmopolitan cities in the Australiasian region. The comparison, based on archival analysis ....Branding Cities on the West Pacific Rim: Cinematic Traditions and Tourism Marketing Strategies in Hong Kong, Shanghai and Sydney. This innovative project emphasises brand-building as a part of visual culture, and cinema as a contributory influence to marketing decisions. It will produce a landmark study of media synergies in the contemporary world. It compares cinematic traditions and tourism marketing in cosmopolitan cities in the Australiasian region. The comparison, based on archival analysis and on interviews with producers, policy makers, and consumers, will determine whether images of the city converge or compete in business practice and cultural production. The research complements recent major Australian initiatives to re-evaluate creativity in the media.Read moreRead less