Creating a cyberfeminist hypertext (or hypermedia)

Objectives:

• navigate the obstacles in creating a narrative  within a non-linear  format.
• introduction to interactivity in a web-based environment.
• create a compelling interactive environment that lends itself to deeper investigation (on part of the user) into the hypertext narrative.
• use of (cyber)feminist  content and analysis we've been addressing so far towards creative ends.
• utilize a combination of text, sound, and imagery in ways that reinforce the primary narrative structure and reflects the content of your hypertext.
• technical objectives:  introduction to programmatic uses of Flash (internal timeline functions; external content functions; randomization and generative programmatic techniques) and Dreamweaver; use of Garageband for sound elements; introduction to video and sound capture using Snapz Pro and/or Quicktime; use of appropriated, open-source audio, video, and imaging sources (i.e., Prelinger Archives).

What is hyptertext?

You use hypertext everyday (you just did to get here!!)...in a very basic sense, hypertext is text that contains links to other texts (as on a website)...either to pages within or external to a site. System developer Theodor Nelson coined the term (in the 1960's), and established a community dedicated to non-sequential writing/projects on his site Project Xanadu. Functionally-speaking, hypertext can support or supplement ideas and information within a primary reading...and can (should?) cause the reader/participant to delve deeper into the primary reading (breadth and depth occurring simultaneously).

Experimental Fiction and Postmodern Fiction have employed the use of both hypertext and hypermedia (linked images, video, sound, etc)....one example we'll be exploring in class is Shelly Jackson's hyptertext the body (I will also have a copy of her hypertext CD-R Patchwork Girl available in class as well. For an introduction to Patchwork Girl visit Stitch Bitch: the patchwork girl) Other samples/examples of hypertext and hypermedia projects include:

J.R. Carpenter's Entre Ville

Alan Bigelow's Interactive Stories for the Web

Jillian McDonald's Stand By Your Gun

Matthew Ritchie's Proposition Player

Julia Scher's Predictive Engineering

some other sites of interest as (re)sources...

Leo Marino aka leogeo

the dumpster

Joshua Davis' Once Upon A Forest