'Archiving is the preservation of knowledge' – Sue Hemmens, Marsh’s Library.
How do we reflect in an age of digital ephemera? Storing, filing and archiving of information for future use is an integral part of the human experience, however, in our current digital landscape, this information has become ephemeral due to issues around ownership, rapid optimisation and quantity of data recorded.
'Woven Chats' is an exploration of this digital ephemera and how meaning can be extracted from this data. By creating a platform that enables users to explore and attribute value to an abstracted version of their WhatsApp data in the form of a digital and physical tapestry.
Each stitch represents a text message, highlighting key events and emotions using colour and form, allowing the user to create an object encoded with personal significance that reflects their relationships.
Exploring digital and physical material, blending coding and craft.
The backend service and mapping of interactions based on research and testing.
Translating digital ephemera using python, and processing, making the intangible tangible.
'Woven Chats' presents a platform that enables the exploration of digital relationships.
Digital used as a tool to explore data and physical acting as a point of reflection.
Decoding tools for the later stage of the experience allows for the practice to extend.
'Woven Chats' acted as a tool for discussion around digital ephemera, creating rich conversations.
Adding supporting material within the packaging extends the experience beyond the digital user.
These discussions around digital reflection must continue. 'Woven chats' is just one potential output for crafting an important human experience.
In a technologically dominant world that constantly pushes forward, we must look back and reflect.