John Hiss
Research Mentor: Jennifer Hsieh
Mentor Department: Anthropology, LSA
Author(s): Not Available
Session: Session 3 (11:00 AM – 11:50 AM)
Presentation Type: Poster 22
Abstract
While contemporary research on media technologies often emphasizes digital tools, less attention has been given to how analog audiovisual devices shape sensory experience and research practices. This project addresses that gap by examining a collection of historical media technologies housed in the Anthropology of Technology and the Senses Lab, with a focus on understanding how these devices mediate perception, documentation, and cultural memory. Using an object-based research approach, this study involves the systematic cataloging and analysis of devices such as instant cameras, cassette recorders, and 35mm film cameras. Each object is documented through detailed descriptions of its physical condition, operating mechanisms, and historical context, drawing on sources including user manuals, manufacturer records, and secondary literature. This method allows for both technical understanding and cultural interpretation of each device. Preliminary findings suggest that analog technologies encourage distinct forms of sensory engagement, particularly through tactile interaction, delayed image or audio production, and material constraints that differ significantly from digital media. These characteristics shape how users capture, interpret, and preserve information, highlighting the continued relevance of analog tools in both research and creative contexts. This project contributes to a growing body of scholarship on media and sensory studies by demonstrating that analog technologies are not obsolete, but instead offer valuable insights into human-technology relationships. The resulting catalog will serve as both a scholarly resource and a practical guide for future research, supporting continued exploration of how material media influences perception and knowledge production.
