Why nightmarket?

Taiwanese are noted for their values as friendly, kind, generous, working hard and family-oriented people.  As a result of 20th century political developments (national identity formation and settlement, etc.), the Taiwanese take pride in their country and neighborhoods. Westernization has brought both technological advances and market outlets and the erasure of a “Taiwanese” memory.  How might a critical approach towards technology, then, help to both recall a sense of regional identity and values while presenting possibilities for a complex hybridized notion of selfhood?  How might technology enable or enhance relationality (between people and environment)?  Lastly, how might a vigilantly ethical approach to technological innovation and adaption preserve our values about our respective cultures?  By concentrating on this particular landscape – the Taiwanese nightmarket – the workshop will function as a case study for engaging these broader questions and deepening the way we understand the production of culture.

Jackie Lee + Marisa Jahn
Nightmarket Workshop
http://www.nightmarket.org

Nightmarket 2006 workshop video- Media Technology in Nightmarket

Nightmarket 2006 workshop video- Group activities