As we were exploring throughout the RMIT buildings, the challenge soon became “where is media not?” From a painting of Bill Murray (I know, right?) to a rather cliché blimp in the sky, there are many different types of media that we are exposed to every day. It is more than traditional media that we see in television, films and more conventional forms of advertising. In the world of ever-changing and constant technologies, it is becoming increasingly difficult to avoid media in general. Even being on the street, you cannot help but be completed immersed in the media that you are surrounded by, without even noticing that you are taking on the media and it’s messages. I assumed that I would have some trouble finding different types of “media” in the public eye. However, it soon became the challenge of “where wasn’t there media”.
Up high: Blimp advertising for “appliances online”
On the ground: Graffiti, no smoking sign (RMIT)
Mid-ground: Vending machine
Background: No smoking sign, Bill Murray painting, tram advertising, William Barak apartments
Foreground: Tram advertising
In your hand: Apple iPhone
Overall, this exploration helped me realise the vast amount of media that we are exposed to, and how easily we accept it to be part of our everyday lives. In some regards, this conclusion is alarming. However, at the same time, it is fascinating to view it in this mind-set of becoming more aware of the extent of the media content we are surrounded by everyday.
I found the William Bark apartment buildings to be the most interesting. A few nights before taking part in this exploration, I saw a television news report about the apartment buildings being built, and had no idea that they were so close to the RMIT campus. William Barak was one of the last traditional leader of the Wurundjeri-willam clan, the first people and traditional owners of this land. Barak worked tirelessly for the social freedoms and justice for the Aborigine community. I feel that it is a respectful tribute, as his face is clearly shown, but is subtly done. It is almost like he is “watching” over the city of Melbourne, as it grows to become a much different land than it once was.
To sum up the readings for the week, I believe that the main message is that we must move away from the more traditional thinking of media. The previously used media model of message and receiver should not be considered in today’s media. Media in its entirety is a progressive field, subjective to changes due to improvement of technology or to a new way of thinking. In our society today, there is an overwhelming amount of media consumed in all areas of our everyday lives. We are not limited to just a few types of media. There are a range of different types, which was proven in the pictured outing.