Communication technologies and social media platforms provide the easiest way to spread beliefs and messages. In addition, they act as a form of self-representation and users can depict their ideal or true selves through photographs, videos, and statuses they share. In contrast, the lecture discussed older forms of communication such as mail art and radio. In Pedro’s class last year we did a project on mail art where we designed a unique package that could be sent through the mail. I created a collage that doubled as an envelope. I found Eugenio’s artwork, which had to be folded up and sent out due to political circumstances to be intriguing and more significant. His pop art grew out of totalitarianism, which gives it more meaning. I also found the inventive uses of radio very interesting. Not only did pirate radio in Tokyo distribute alternative content, but it also created a process (daisy chains) that is both technologically and artistically impressive in order to spread messages.
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