We create assemblages every day; Spotify playlists, Pinterest boards, Instagram posts, etc. One might even say our clothing choices create an ‘assemblage’ in the form of an outfit. We also consume assemblages, in multimedia journalism. Assemblage is defined as “media as arrangements” and “events and multiplicities,” which allows for a wide range of ideas within the keyword ‘assemblage.’ Assemblage itself is an art form, in multimedia art such as collages and film projects. Each of these examples prompts a reaction from the audience, user, or viewer, and creates an opportunity for the formation of a community. Whether it be around similar interests, shared experiences, or preferred aesthetic criteria, these varying assemblages can bring together a variety of people. This also allows for increased specificity in information, art, and experience. When so many assemblages exist, it can provide individuals with art or playlists that directly reflect their own experience, or Instagram posts and news articles that provide exactly the synthesis of information one is searching for.
2 thoughts on “Assemblage: Mary Margaret Clouse”
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The beginning of your post is really interesting. I like the examples of assemblages that you used, as they reflect the way that assemblages of all different variations are constantly surrounding us. Assemblages, like your example of an outfit, are incorporated into our daily lives with a wide range of functions and structures. Understanding assemblages allows us to recognise their prevalence in our lives and challenges our way of thinking, prompting us to pay attention to the elements that make up an assemblage, instead of just viewing them as a whole.
I love this example of using pinterest boards and spotify playlists. They’re things that we assemble for our own personal taste just for fun. To go off the pinterest board example, it’s very similar to creating a dream board that many kids made when they were younger. It starts with grouping pictures together of things you like and then putting them under categories. You then figure out what this means for you in the future. For example, I have pinterest boards of style inspo and places I want to go to one day. I, as well as many other people, make these so we can see what we want to do with our lives. It all starts with assembling.