This cutting-edge text offers an introduction to the emerging field of media archaeology and analyses the innovative theoretical and artistic methodology used to excavate current media through its past.
Written with a steampunk attitude,What is Media Archaeology?examines the theoretical challenges of studying digital culture and memory and opens up the sedimented layers of contemporary media culture. The author contextualizes media archaeology in relation to other key media studies debates including software studies, German media theory, imaginary media research, new materialism and digital humanities.
What is Media Archaeology? advances an innovative theoretical position while also presenting an engaging and accessible overview for students of media, film and cultural studies. It will be essential reading for anyone interested in the interdisciplinary ties between art, technology and media.
List of Images page vi
Acknowledgements vii
1 Introduction: Cartographies of the Old and the New 1
2 Media Archaeology of the Senses: Audiovisual, Affective, Algorithmic 19
3 Imaginary Media: Mapping Weird Objects 41
4 Media Theory and New Materialism 63
5 Mapping Noise and Accidents 90
6 Archive Dynamics: Software Culture and Digital Heritage 113
7 Practising Media Archaeology: Creative Methodologies for Remediation 136
Conclusions: Media Archaeology in Digital Culture 159
Notes 168
Bibliography 181
Index 197
