A Social Workshop serves as a pivotal component within this project, playing a vital role in the establishment of the Museum. The workshop adopts a comprehensive three-step approach, fostering insightful discussions regarding social networking platforms, their impact on individuals, the possibilities they offer, and the challenges they present. Furthermore, participants are introduced to 3D modeling software, a technique employed in constructing the Metaverse—an emerging technology that may succeed existing social platforms. The culmination of the workshop involves translating these discussions into a prompt, which subsequently informs the creation of captivating 3D objects.
The workshop commences with an introduction by the host, providing a contextual framework for the ensuing discussions. This introduction sets the stage for participants to engage in dialogue, leaving them with prompts to deliberate upon. Often, the conversation begins with the host sharing a personal experience related to the platform, fostering a comfortable environment for participants to contribute their unique perspectives and insights. Throughout the workshops conducted thus far, discussions have revolved around the multifaceted nature of these platforms, encompassing connectivity, community-building, content creation, inspiration, and organization. While these positive aspects initially set the tone, the discourse naturally gravitates toward exploring the negative or problematic facets of these platforms. This recurring pattern emerged organically during the workshops. Moreover, these discussions play a pivotal role in guiding participants towards developing prompts that form the foundation for their respective 3D objects or sculptures.
After a 30-minute discussion, participants are tasked with articulating their prompts and envisioning the form and function of their creations. Subsequently, an induction session on 3D modeling and sculpting software is conducted. This crash course empowers participants with the necessary skills to manifest their sculptures, offering a range of software options spanning from open-source and freely available tools to industry-standard paid softwares. In addition, participants gain access to online resources where they can download and utilize creative commons assets to enhance their creations. A set of default objects is also provided within a 3D file, nudging their imagination and showcasing the possibilities afforded by the software.
Once inducted, participants are encouraged to experiment and commence the creation of their sculptures, with the host remaining present throughout the process, offering guidance and assistance with technical challenges as needed. A designated time frame of 1 to 1.5 hours is allocated for participants to realise their creative visions. In alignment with the discussions, the prompts often emphasize the darker aspects of these platforms. Furthermore, participants are also instructed to document how their objects are to be curated and interacted with, granting them greater control over the audience’s interpretation within the virtual space. The implementation of these interactions and curation note, takes place at a later stage during the execution of the museum. Once everyone has completed the sculptures, they are uploaded to a padlet, facilitating further discussions and engagement.
These workshops serves as the cornerstone of A Social Museum, seamlessly integrating the audience as active participants in the creation and curation process. By curating experiences from diverse vantage points, the museum transcends the constraints of one-sided perspectives, fostering a multifaceted exploration of the subject matter.