Still Standing

"Still Standing" the masterpiece by both Bruno Nadeau and in corporation with Jason Lewis, brings a new standard to the idea of what literary text is in terms of using technology. The author describes this piece as a reflection of the "collapse of the interval" phenomenon of culture. With this being said, it brings across the idea that in our culture, people are more prone to just glance at a sighting and just continue to go about their day.

Nadeau and Lewis both come together in this interactive video and first displays text (both letters and words) fluttering gently on the floor on a huge white screen. Once someone walks in front of the projection, the text is gently kicked up into the air as if the movement is pushing it or kicking it. Once the person stands completely still, it is only until the that the text absorbs the outline of the person that the words stop shaking and become more eligible to read.

[Person shown with movement - the text is moved around]

[Person staying still - the text adheres to the outline of his body]

The poem called "Seeking Sedation", written by the creators is read as:

five chapters of addiction for my perpetual commotion
bring by brain to a stop

the inception of sedation is needed
for the waves to break and the spin to reduce

letters to literal the motionless moment
hides for my sight to seduce

I really appreciated the social critique on both culture as well as other pieces depicting stories while utilizing technology. I can understand that yes, a lot of people spend their time and just glance at something without really absorbing what it really is. Also, some other pieces can just be 'click easy' that allows the viewer to consume as much as they want rather than to consume for what it is intended to be.


My process was simple, I watched the video multiple times (both on mute and with sound) to take in the visuals as much as possible. The visuals are both the main concept as well as gripping point for the viewer. It has one message, slow down and take it all in. 

First Artifact!

So for my first artifact to connect my character, Emma Lynn, to Rachel Bahar, I decided to go on a more modern way of communication. To fully understand my character, I used the social media network known as instagram to accurately tell her life through pictures and captions. However, because Rachel Bahar isn't a fully formed character background wise or even has an appearance yet, I was able to tie both Emma and Rachel together via hashtags (#) and exchanges of comments on pictures.
In terms of technicality, the viewer doesn't necessarily have many choices in terms of where to click, but every click goes more in depth of Emma and how her life as an intern, yoga enthusiast, and even happily engaged.

As far as the map, I wanted to set up for the viewer how both interactive and at times redundant that technology can be.  I began with a picture of an iphone turned off, and the viewer has to click and proceed to turn the phone on and to click on the instagram app logo to log-in. Once the app has been pressed, the log in screen is presented with Emma's username and password already typed in (her password is written in asterisk's to preserve her privacy of her profile). Once you are logged on, you get a view of Emma's profile and can click on a few pictures to which the viewer is then presented with pictures, captions, and conversations via comments. Some hashtags you can click on and towards the end, the viewer has the chance to click on Rachel's username to view her profile, unexpectedly such as technology does, her page goes missing or rather, that instagram is has some technical issues and is unable to give the viewer Rachel Bahar's life, leaving the mystery of her life still untold but not unknown.

I used thinglink.com to help create my artifact and implore all new users to go and use it for further projects!

Start Here: http://www.thinglink.com/scene/584554345119350788