We were asked to pick any ‘thing’ (object, artefact, tool, event etc.) and draw a map showing all the parts that make up, influence, effect, are influenced by this media thing. I have been unwell and missed the beginning of this task, but it was a learning experience in itself watching my classmates present their maps.

Artefacts that other members of the studio chose included scripts, camera, the human body and more. Many admitted to going to broad with their topic and that was also common in the feedback. Therefore I’ve learnt its important to pick a specific topic and really explore it. According to Adrian we should move away from the generalisations and examine a very specific thing. For instance, choosing ‘magazines’ is too general, however a specific article in a magazine is more appropriate.

So what is the difference between what a thing means versus what a thing does?

It’s important to remember that an object ‘exists in their own world’. So what’s important to us isn’t necessarily important to the thing. For instance, light is important for a camera. A camera needs light to function. Furthermore its interesting to note that most of the world doesn’t operate through narrative despite common belief. Humankind is responsibly for narrative. To showcase, the Zebra’s were happy to cross the road whether someone was watching them or not.

So when exploring an artefact one should think to themselves ‘If it made a story about itself, what would it say’?

An interesting idea that I hadn’t really thought of before today is that all our media comes from the ground. Therefore our media has a relationship to the earth. Think about it.