In my previous blog regarding modularity (link here), I discussed Manovich’s concept in the context of creating a single media project, with each ‘module’ essentially being differentiated only by their form; an audio module, a video module etc. However, many projects that exist push this concept even further by collating modular ‘fragments’ of media into a single, centralised piece, essentially creating a paradigm of modules within modules (basically the online media equivalent of Inception). An excellent example of this style of modularity is the DCRC project directed by Mandy Rose; Are You Happy Now? (link here). Inspired by the work of Jean Rouch and Edgar Morin (link here), this experimental documentary contains videos and images as well as posts from social media relating an overarching theme of happiness. The videos in particular are highly modular on their own; they combine the typical, fundamental components of audio-visual projects, while the content of an interview itself can also be considered as the collation of modules, that of the dialogue between the interviewer and interviewee. These videos are then aggregated into a single interface along with the images and social media text, forming a singular, multi-modular project. This is not the only project that uses this form of modularity; Viewfinders, Planet Galata and Talk With Your Hands Like an Ellis Island Mutt all use the similar concept of multiple media fragments to communicate a singular message, story or theme.
For our assignment 3 project, I am hoping to replicate these projects’ abilities to incorporate numerous modules in a coherent way, despite the distinct differences in their format, style and initial intention, by relating them all to a relevant theme. To respond to this, I’ve begun exploring ways in which to make the overarching theme not immediately obvious to the viewer; this will force my group and I to not only make the single modules unique and interesting in their own right, but link them together in a more unconventional way, giving the viewer incentive to complete the entire project to discover this theme.