The Stop Motion Studies extend my long-standing interest in narrative and, in particular, look at the subway as a stage upon which social dynamics and individual behavior are increasingly mediated by digital technology. As one of the most vibrant and egalitarian networks in our cities, subways bring people from a wide range of social and cultural backgrounds into close contact with each other. This process plays a significant role in shaping both the character of a city as well as our individual identities.
In this remix for the Whitney’s Artport, I’ve taken previous material and added a meta-structure which allows users to apply database logic as a creative filter. The project’s original sequential construct remains intact, but is now nested within a categorical hierarchy. The interface also supports a spatial montage in which sequences from four cities appear simultaneously. Users are invited to reconstruct mini-narratives based upon the paths they take through the data. Thanks to Beverly Hynes-Grace, Mats Nordahl, and Christiane Paul. —David Crawford 03.01.03