Private publishing does not exist, we now know we always get read (hi). To select what we want to have read, and by whom, is our greatest challenge rly. For now and teh future.

– Balconism, Constant Dullaart

Physiologically, man in the normal use of technology (or his variously extended body) is perpetually modified by it and in turn finds ever new ways of modifying his technology.

– The Gadget Lover: Narcissus as Narcosis, Marshall McLuhan

As the first publication from our Mini-Press, we will each "self-publish" an artists "book" on the topic and in the form of your choice. However, the project will take the phrase "self-publish" as a starting point and should address two things:

1. The self – how is does this publication reflect on your personal interests, history, goals, or other self-motivated endeavors. How can it contribute to these motivations by translating them to a publication?
2. The audience – what are the implications of publishing, or making public, personal information and how can we choose our audience with this in mind? How does our audience in turn, influence and shape our self-perception and motivations?

Given our online condition, where we're constantly being coerced into sharing our information with and without our knowledge and consent, how we maintain control over our self articulation and presentation has shifted. In this project you will consider the "self" in relation the many audiences we encounter, and how through publishing we can reshape our image(s), and decide our audience(s).

Mass Makeup: Freckles, by the Rodina

To do this, you will reflect on how through sharing we express ourselves and articulate self-image. What is the role of individual and audience in the construction of a text's "reading"? While these questions may sound very deep, they don't need to be. Sharing our preferences as lists from what we eat on a daily basis, to our favorite films, can create insightful opportunities for personal and social commentary. Our personal interests, no matter how seemingly frivolous, can be great engines for creative output.

Lunch by Allen Bukoff

As technology changes how we communicate, it also changes how we think of ourselves. From the always "on" nature of social media, to the potenialities of post-humanism via artificial intelligence, consider what new possibilities may emerge around this topic given technological advancements and changing social norms as a result.

Landing page for Holly+, by Holly Herndon

Furthermore, while these projects may have a personal starting point they don't need to be about you. You can take this self-motivated interest and reshape the outcome to be about language, politics, economics, pokeballs... The personal motivation and awareness of your audience just needs to be present in the final product. Your project can be about not revealing personal information if you'd like...

Puzzle, by Ryan Kuo

As Constant Dullaart writes in Balconism, "We need a private veranda above ground, a place for a breath of fresh air, out of sight for the casual onlooker, but great for public announcements."

allenbukoff.com

Due Apr 21 (8 weeks (kind of...))
Topics: Publishing, Editorial Design, Archiving

Project Kickoff: Fri Mar 3
Personal Collections exercise

Step 1: Mar 10
Review Personal Collections exercise and do in-class publishing exercise to share the results

Step 2: Due Mar 27
Based on your personal collection and the results of your publishing exercise, bring in two concepts formalizing your idea as an artists "book".

Step 3: Due Apr 21
Share final artists publication

Schedule

Week 1
Project kickoff

Week 2
Step 1: Share personal collections
and ideas for your artists publication
in-class publishing exercise

Week 3
Step 2 Due: Share project concepts

Week 4
Review rough drafts progress

Week 5
1:1 Meetings to review penultimate draft of P1

Week 6
Share penultimate draft and design for Corners workshop

Week 7
Corners Workshop

Week 8
Step 3 Due / Final Crit