From chat rooms in the late 80s to today’s mobile apps with geo-location, the digital realm is having a growing impact on how we meet others and how we think about who we are.
Some see it as a good thing, others think it’s a part of a digital apocalypse.
Remember when we had to design and pass out flyers to get people to come to our shows?
Under the name Billy Brown, Michael explored a sexier side of himself by working as a go-go boy in Texas clubs in the name of art.
He turned from performance art to architecture and then finally to interactive app design to explore how people connect with the world around them and the nature of desire.
Listen as we talk about how YouTube is the new performance art scene.
The five type of photos you need to make a sexy connection online.
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2 Comments
Comments
Hi Fausto and Mark, i agree that YouTube has become a huge new tool for performance artists! Great interview with Michael Titus Parkes! huggz – Dagberto
I like Michael’s ideas about new technology’s ability to satisfy a need for immediacy bringing people together. It’s a very optimistic spin on things. Although, how many boys do you see staring at their phones instead of engaging each other when you go to a bar?
I’m also really interested in the idea that there may be a backlash against social media. People may want to disconnect some day, especially given how certain companies like Facebook abuse their users’ privacy. If you look at the anti-materialism of the 60s and 70s as a collective response to the 40s and 50s unabashed consumerism, I wouldn’t be surprised if something similar happens a decade from now in terms of moving away from online socializing. (I’m on month 3 without Facebook and I couldn’t be happier.)
Also Fausto- Right on with your comment about advertisers. I’m getting my MBA in ad/pr and your point about what advertisers want vs. need is something that keeps coming up (or at least, I’ve tried to bring up). A lot of people in advertising – and marketing especially – just do not seem to understand your point about the importance of building a strong base. My impression is too many marketers get their hands into the advertising side of things and both groups end up using a myopic norm-reliant view to create “experiences” for their audiences to connect with. They should (also) be making effective product promises and connecting to groups like gays and African Americans, who have incredibly buying power and loyalist potential. When you start looking at the problems within the industry across the board in terms of ignoring consumer populations and sticking to limited “brand stories,” I actually find it incredibly depressing.