Digital Ethnography and Virtual Worlds

Aziza IsmailProfessor StokrockiSummer II 2012Avatar name: aismail4

Descriptive study of a particular human society. Contemporary ethnography is based almost entirely on fieldwork. The ethnographer lives among the people who are the subject of study for a year or more, learning the local language and participating in everyday life while striving to maintain a degree of objective detachment. He or she usually cultivates close relationships with “informants” who can provide specific information on aspects of cultural life.

Digital ethnography is simply the application of new technologies to the process of ethnography. (referenced from: Reference.com)

Ethnography:

Stages:

a term used to describe a process of preparing and collecting data. The purpose of data collection is to obtain information to keep on record, to make decisions about important issues, or to pass information on to others. The method used in Ethnography is meant to capture the “social meanings and ordinary activities” of people (informants) in “naturally occurring settings” that are commonly referred to as “the field.” (Wikipedia)

1. Data Collection

A methodology in the social sciences for studying the content of communication. (provides insight into the research topic) (to “discover logical patterns and social structure”) (Wikipedia)

2. Content Analysis:

3. Comparative Analysis:Method of analysis that compares and contrasts two things.

Research Questions:

1. What artwork forms and methods do they use?

2. What does their artwork mean – expressions?

3. What are their art preferences?

Mountainous, rigid terrain, a waterfall and a small pond. Mostly isolated, desert landscape. Camels, snakes, and flying birds. A museum atop a mountain. Rooms each elevated, each on higher land than the other. Modeled after traditional Afghan Architecture, with flat roofs which act as additional exhibit spaces/markets. Selling of virtual Afghan clothing. Museum is modeled as a traditional Afghan home. Additionally, there are caves, sky buildings, magic carpet rides, genies, and much more to explore. Very little greenery available. Architecture created with stones and natural materials (digitally textured to look so)

http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Trillia/Afghan Virtual Museum, Second Life

Context and Participants:

This is a museum dedicated to the Afghan cause -- teaching the West about Afghanistan, spreading awareness of women's issues of Afghanistan (RAWA), having participants question the NATO occupation of Afghanistan, which are some of the goals of the museum. The museum attracts people both Afghans and non-Afghans who share these interests. Racially, Afghanistan itself is very diverse, being homes to several ethnicities. The language of the Museum is English and was created by a Western artist for Western audiences. Many different locations for meetings to take place. Seating is arranged with traditional Afghan furniture, aligned against a wall. Really an immersive experience into an aspect of Afghan culture. Allowing for a better understanding of it -- a powerful learning experience. Lots of information on the walls, many items to click on to provide visitor with more information. Not just a bunch of written material, but also a lot of visual and interactive materials. Visitors may also donate to RAWA by purchasing items (i.e. Afghan dress) from the marketplace, located on the roof of the museum.

Community:

Picture from AVM webpage

The artist I chose was Trill Zapatero. I chose her because she started and has done most of the work on the Afghan Virtual Museum. Her avatar looks very young and seems to have a mix of different styles of clothing – as she is always changing. I found her by clicking for information at the museum. Then I sent here a private message.

Artist:

Data Collection:

[12:10] aismail4: I have heard of them.[12:10] Trill Zapatero: the revolutionary association of the women of Afghanistan[12:10] aismail4: I've visited there site before[12:11] Trill Zapatero: so I make clothes and send the proceeds to them[12:11] aismail4: Why do you make art on Second Life? What are the benefits?[12:11] Trill Zapatero: a person can make quite a bit of money in SL[12:11] Trill Zapatero: at certain things, clothes being one of them[12:11] Trill Zapatero: well, the benefits are many[12:12] Trill Zapatero: for one, it's a whole new genre, virtual world building and installations[12:12] Trill Zapatero: and the opportunity to collaborate on projects with people all over the world[12:12] Trill Zapatero: it's a great way to share your work internationally too[12:12] Trill Zapatero: and meet a lot of very interesting people

[12:09] Trill Zapatero: I've been working on other projects since then[12:10] Trill Zapatero: well I started by bringing in paintings[12:10] Trill Zapatero: then I started to raise funds for RAWA[12:10] Trill Zapatero: do you know RAWA?

Content Analysis

What is Art?She is a Painter and illustrator. Her work is mostly in SL although she does RL as well. The boundaries between which are blurry. What is title -favorite artwork? Why choose?The Grail. Meaning of life. Good things people do in life vs. the bad things. Why make it?New genre, opportunity to collaborate with people all over the world. How made?Started with bringing in paintings. Illustrates book digitally. Built the building and exhibits with a combination of sculpts and system prims. Sculpts made in an external program. Textures made in Photoshop. AC3d or Maya. Opensource tools --scripting, etc. Use of photography, textures, 3D objects, collage, paint.

Where from?Travels all over and is inspired by her travels. Expression:Color, line, etc.?Each thing is so different. Like to use many different possibilities. Mixing b/w schemes with color. Mixing abstract and representation. Magical symbols. Straight graphics and symbols. Mix drawing and painting. Mix 3d build with 2d art. Metaphor. Collaborate with whom?With people all over the world. Sims. Big builds with several artists working together. A LEA project with a Frenchwomen. Evolving Questions?

The artwork forms and methods used by this avatar included Drawing, sculpture, Digital art forms - 3D modeling using Maya and sculpting using AC3D. Painting, etc. Her method is to upload as textures onto 3D surfaces.

Comparative Analysis & Conclusions

Her artwork is very open as she likes to try out many things and thus the meanings and expressions they take on are many. For example, her grail quest, this expresses the problems of the world to the visitor. She also has in her work magical symbols of alchemy, hidden messages and stories. The grail itself is symbol for all the good things in life - it's meant to be a cup that heals the world. It can, however, take on many different meanings to different people. To the artist, it is us humans who are the grail; those of us who do the little good things that all add up.

The artists preferences, she is currently an illustrator, she illustrates books digitally that can be viewed online on the Huffington Post. She also designs and sells digital clothing online at the Second Life Marketplace of which she sends the proceeds to the non-profit organization, RAWA. She prefers to be open to different possibilities. She also enjoys sculpting, creating architecture. She travels around the world, although she hasn't been to Afghanistan. She works with international artists, and creates in Second Life, artifacts that are inspired from other parts of the world.

Comparative Analysis & Conclusions

Second Life has its benefits compared to Real life. It offers its artists many opportunities, among them are opportunities to collaborate with different artists, while separated physically and in disparate lands. It provides the opportunity to bring together 2D and 3D artwork, and allows for artists to showcase their work to the international community. Artists are able to raise awareness of different issues and to raise funds for non-profit organizations, thus does Second life make possible community engagement. It allows users to experience the art, and thus the art is not static but rather immersive and dynamic. There is much more that can be done with 3D artwork in a virtual environment than in the 2D artwork in real life. Your artwork becomes potentially more accessible to a greater and far more diverse audience/viewers.

Comparative Analysis & Conclusions

As Sanchez states in his writings, Second life can be very time consuming; it can open up possibilities for more creativity; and overall artists enjoy building in Second life. It took Trill 2 years to work on the Afghan Virtual Museum and yet there still remain the possibilities of expanding. She did state that she very much enjoyed working on the project. She has explored many and very creative ways to display her artwork at the museum, including genie lamps, holograms, magic carpet rides, caves and secret doors, sky rooms, games, etc. Second life also allowed her to be more creative as she could mix her 2D artwork with 3D forms. Trill also took advantage of the digital storytelling opportunities that are offered in Second Life. She had created an immersive learning environment, meant to teach people about the Afghan people and country. She wishes that this museum would get people to question the NATO occupation of Afghanistan. She takes visitor through games that get people to question the meaning of life and its troubles. In second life you are not limited by what is or is not possible in real life, therefore you have many more opportunities, and many more opportunities to be more creative/imaginative. You are not limited by financial or physical constraints, either. Of course, it depends upon the skills of the SL artists to make his/her vision a reality.

Comparative Analysis & Conclusions

Thanks!