om1

Objects of Media Studies was an interface that demanded the attention of the browser. The first screen after the title was a long dialogue about the purpose of the interface: to keep the attention of the browser. This goal was evident in the blurb itself; there were certain words that were bold-ed and emphasized to capture that attention. The interface had colorful “+’s” and “o’s” that constantly shifted in the background like confetti. It felt somewhat magical and playful, but I still was confused at what this project was.

om2

The next screens were full of small previews of images and text, accompanied by text in the top right hand corner that would encourage me to click and hover over these different images. Each of these small images would expand, shrink, shift, and switch as I hovered over and away from them. Each of the photographs had explanations as to why the objects were related to media studies from the perspective of the photographer. The text had colored borders that would match up with the image’s border; however, both the text and its image did not show up on the same screen at time, and would appear on another image’s text. I had to actively switch in-between images or text to contextualize whichever image or text I wanted to know more about. It was quite a confusing experience.

om4om5

However, I think that in making the browser of the project actively click on all the options and including constant reminders to hover and scroll over images, the creators did achieve their purpose: to convey the “relationality, of eight objects hovering in space and time, all shot through with desire, affect, collaboration, politics, and tension” through a “[demand for] new modes of reading” (Vectors Journal Editorial Staff). I was constantly engaged throughout the process of clicking on all the options; it captured my attention. The arrangement of such strange objects in a single space and the manner and sequence in which they are arranged to unfold or appear forces the browser to make connections between the image and its respective text. Not only that, but it also urges the browser to make connections between that single image with the other images/text; therefore, it fulfills that “relationality” that the project proclaims to convey.

Overall, although it may have been overwhelming at first to navigate through the project, the project, in my opinion, was able to achieve its purpose.