“Lists refuse the connecting powers of language, in favour of a sequence of disconnected elements,” (Bogust, 2012, pg.40). I believe that this quote neatly sums up the idea of the gathering list, as everything that is gathered in the list, is related due to the fact that is has been gathered. In terms of looking at it poetically, the items or shots gathered aim to emphasise or infer a specific mood or feeling. However, it can also be bases on pure aesthetics, which I have chosen to do. In our breakout room, there was also a lot of discussion revolving around an ontograph showing “how much rather than how little exists simultaneously,”(Bogost,2012, pg. 59). This has helped me in understanding that while many things are intentional in the lists we have created, there is also many other unintentional elements that can affect the meaning and representation of the item. There is definitely still a lot to understand and grapple with for poetic lists, but I have really enjoyed the idea of the gathering list as a form of one.

The media product I have created is a moving video accompanied with sound, composed of moments I have noticed and decided to look at closer at. Following the concept of many things existing at the same time, my videos magnify and zoom in on small details, such as shadows and flower petals, that also add to my aesthetic vision. It was inspired by the noticing exercise in class, with some noticing being intentionally sought out, and others simply catching my eye. The process was actually quite beautiful, as I was able to focus in on shadows, an element I really like, and look for ones that don’t normally prompt my notice. This was also to avoid completely just repeating works that I have made before, while still allowing for some of my notices to be authentic. After feedback from Maddy about whether to use sound or not, she suggested filming the sound of nothing instead of leaving silence. I went outside a recorded the night, as while there was still cars really speeding past, there is a distinct atmosphere of the night air. As pointed out by Maddy, the sound is also another element of noticing, and allows for juxtaposition and reflection within the work.

The making of my artefact has helped solidified my idea of poetic listing being more of an abstract montage, allowing for moments of the everyday to be romanticised, more specifically in my own work. Through focusing on noticing, I also found that the notices gathered, most often contain gatherings themselves. This has also shown me that my noticings can be more abstract, opening space for more audience interaction, as some things have more room for multiple representations and meanings.

Reference:

Bogost, I., 2012. ‘Ontography’ in Alien Phenomenology. Or What It’s Like to be a Thing. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis. pp. 35-59.