This system begins with a game*. It is based on encounters.
look into the archives box
choose something
find something which interests you about what you have chosen: it could be a memory, a question, whatever
find someone to share it with
record the subject of your discussion, the item, and the person you encountered into your online space
This game could take place during a specific workshop, or during several meetings. It is important that the first game be played between people in physical proximity. The online space will become home to the encounters made during the first game.
Example marmoset and ouistiti:
Each person who plays the game will enter information into a personal page online. In the drawing you see an example of the personal pages of marmoset and ouistiti. They each have an area for a profile, for encounter information ( subject, and with whom) for the archive, and possibly an encounter forum. Each piece of profile information which matches between them, for example profile information A, forms a link. Their encounters link them together, through subject and person, although marmoset and ouistiti can enter separate encounter details. Marmoset and ouistiti both have archives - items which they have each chosen and classified as their archive. It is important here to note that marmoset and ouistiti can have the same and/or different information in the archive section, but that all information which is the same forms a link between them.
All of the information found on marmoset’s personal page is available to ouistiti to view, and vice versa.
The archive forum
The archive forum is where one can gather new items for their archive. These items are divided into documentation: items which have not been part of the game, and archives: items which have. One may search or browse the information. When searching, items from both categories may be returned. If one chooses to browse, they must also choose to browse either the documentation or the archives. Documentation is stored as a list, and the archives are accessible through each individual user. Thus, to browse the archives one would have to choose to browse marmoset’s archive frame or ouistiti’s archive frame.
If an item is chosen from documentation, one must play the game to enter that item into their archive. If an item is chosen from the archives, one may view such information as: encounters attached, to which archives and archive categories the item belongs, keywords, and a description. One may change the description and keywords. A record of past descriptions and keywords is retained. One may also use the item in a new encounter.
This system is an effort to make a space out of which meeting points could develop. It is a system of multiple and shifting frameworks. The archive is formed by these frameworks and cannot be accessed separate from them. There is not a ‘neutral’ or ‘objective’ way to access the archive.
*based on digA_p by Anja Westerfrolke, developed with Valerie Swain