A vast body of publications has recently reflected upon the opportunities offered by “digital memories” and the intangible dimension of memory. Nowadays, this theoretical framework affects the interpretation of the social function of collective memory, that is becoming more relevant than ever also in design processes. At the same time, a new understanding of the relationships between temporalities and people, in an age infused with memory and past, has been central to several studies, even related to design cultures. Starting from the assumption that the growing trend of mobile devices has triggered an immense proliferation of geo-referenced data, digitally connected to the places and spaces of our real lives, this paper argues how digital information could generate narratives and how new forms of collective memory (in our case, we refer to data cultures) can be interpreted, shared, mediated, or performed through design actions. After presenting a synthesis of the theoretical debate and the historical-critical studies on collective memory, the authors propose a model that reflects upon the possible impact of the use of data and digital visualisation tools on our ability to preserve past experiences. These forms of future communications and experimental visual narratives will be analysed, studied, and described. As a consequence, the paper poses questions about if and how these data can be considered sources in the evolution of the historical interpretations of territories and their inhabitants. From the reflection upon this topic, it emerges that forms of design action are evolving in new participatory bottom-up practices that generate information. By aggregating knowledge, mediating between material and immaterial aspects, and interfacing with users, designers will be asked to anticipate digital artefacts that allow the stratification of collective memory as a fundamental component of our collective future.

The Future of our Collective Memory: Design-driven Approaches for Digital Artefacts

Formia Elena
;
Zannoni Michele
2021

Abstract

A vast body of publications has recently reflected upon the opportunities offered by “digital memories” and the intangible dimension of memory. Nowadays, this theoretical framework affects the interpretation of the social function of collective memory, that is becoming more relevant than ever also in design processes. At the same time, a new understanding of the relationships between temporalities and people, in an age infused with memory and past, has been central to several studies, even related to design cultures. Starting from the assumption that the growing trend of mobile devices has triggered an immense proliferation of geo-referenced data, digitally connected to the places and spaces of our real lives, this paper argues how digital information could generate narratives and how new forms of collective memory (in our case, we refer to data cultures) can be interpreted, shared, mediated, or performed through design actions. After presenting a synthesis of the theoretical debate and the historical-critical studies on collective memory, the authors propose a model that reflects upon the possible impact of the use of data and digital visualisation tools on our ability to preserve past experiences. These forms of future communications and experimental visual narratives will be analysed, studied, and described. As a consequence, the paper poses questions about if and how these data can be considered sources in the evolution of the historical interpretations of territories and their inhabitants. From the reflection upon this topic, it emerges that forms of design action are evolving in new participatory bottom-up practices that generate information. By aggregating knowledge, mediating between material and immaterial aspects, and interfacing with users, designers will be asked to anticipate digital artefacts that allow the stratification of collective memory as a fundamental component of our collective future.
2021
Proceedings of the DHS Annual Conference 2021 "Memory Full? Reimagining The Relations Between Design And History"
287
294
Formia Elena; Zannoni Michele
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11585/905848
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