Thanks to the ‘The Are You Happy Project‘, I was left in tears after watching a wonderful video filmed by a lady named Kate Nash, in Tasmania. The video is set outside MONA museum in Tasmania and visitors are prompted with questions in regards to whether they are happy and questioned about the definition of happiness.
In this weeks class (Week 4), we discussed the idea around Hypertext. Hannah (my tutor), linked us to a few websites that she liked that showed us examples of hypermedia and hypertext. I found that I really liked the idea surrounding the ‘The Are You Happy Project’. It centres around an experimental documentary from fifty years ago, asking people on the streets of Paris, “are you happy”. The website links back to this documentary by creating an online space where any person can get involved, either by tweeting about happiness, commenting or linking or even by going out into their local area and asking people whether they are happy.
The idea surrounding this website prompts me to consider the ways in which my work can be said to be a hypertext. By the use of simply commenting, tagging or even just linking, I can create a blog that screams hypermedia and hypertext from the rooftops. It enables me to delve deeper into the world of the internet, showing clear links to other things out in the world. I can have an online presence that doesn’t just solely reflect my work, but the work of others, seen through my eyes.
So are Tasmanian’s happy? Are Argentinian’s happy? Find out for yourself on the website here: http://theareyouhappyproject.org/
