The transformative power of the thumbnail image: Media logistics and infrastructural aesthetics

Nanna  Thylstrup; Stina Teilmann

The transformative power of the thumbnail image: Media logistics and infrastructural aesthetics

Nanna Thylstrup, Stina Teilmann

Institut for Kunst- og Kulturvidenskab

Abstract

Thumbnail images are discreet, yet central navigational tools in increasingly complex visual information environments. Indeed, without thumbnail images there would be no image search: they are an inherent part of the information architecture of most digital information platforms. Yet, how might we understand the role of the thumbnail as an attention technology in the digital economy? And what kind of aesthetic does it produce? This paper examines the legal negotiations of the thumbnail image and the ensuing decision to conceptualize the thumbnail as a functional image against the cultural history of visual attention technologies and the aesthetics of their connective function. Such an endeavour, we propose, allows us to understand and appreciate the significant digital economy and particular aesthetic of the thumbnail image despite its apparent subtlety.

Originalsprog	Engelsk
Tidsskrift	First Monday
Vol/bind	22
Udgave nummer	10
ISSN	1396-0466
Status	Udgivet - 2 okt. 2017

Adgang til dokumentet

http://firstmonday.org/ojs/index.php/fm/article/view/7869

Citationsformater

@article{1e2d81fa2a004fce8adaee24dea8d804,

title = "The transformative power of the thumbnail image: Media logistics and infrastructural aesthetics",

abstract = "Thumbnail images are discreet, yet central navigational tools in increasingly complex visual information environments. Indeed, without thumbnail images there would be no image search: they are an inherent part of the information architecture of most digital information platforms. Yet, how might we understand the role of the thumbnail as an attention technology in the digital economy? And what kind of aesthetic does it produce? This paper examines the legal negotiations of the thumbnail image and the ensuing decision to conceptualize the thumbnail as a functional image against the cultural history of visual attention technologies and the aesthetics of their connective function. Such an endeavour, we propose, allows us to understand and appreciate the significant digital economy and particular aesthetic of the thumbnail image despite its apparent subtlety.",

author = "Nanna Thylstrup and Stina Teilmann",

year = "2017",

month = oct,

day = "2",

language = "English",

volume = "22",

journal = "First Monday",

issn = "1396-0466",

publisher = "First Monday Editorial Group",

number = "10",

}

TY - JOUR

T1 - The transformative power of the thumbnail image

T2 - Media logistics and infrastructural aesthetics

AU - Thylstrup, Nanna

AU - Teilmann, Stina

PY - 2017/10/2

Y1 - 2017/10/2

N2 - Thumbnail images are discreet, yet central navigational tools in increasingly complex visual information environments. Indeed, without thumbnail images there would be no image search: they are an inherent part of the information architecture of most digital information platforms. Yet, how might we understand the role of the thumbnail as an attention technology in the digital economy? And what kind of aesthetic does it produce? This paper examines the legal negotiations of the thumbnail image and the ensuing decision to conceptualize the thumbnail as a functional image against the cultural history of visual attention technologies and the aesthetics of their connective function. Such an endeavour, we propose, allows us to understand and appreciate the significant digital economy and particular aesthetic of the thumbnail image despite its apparent subtlety.

AB - Thumbnail images are discreet, yet central navigational tools in increasingly complex visual information environments. Indeed, without thumbnail images there would be no image search: they are an inherent part of the information architecture of most digital information platforms. Yet, how might we understand the role of the thumbnail as an attention technology in the digital economy? And what kind of aesthetic does it produce? This paper examines the legal negotiations of the thumbnail image and the ensuing decision to conceptualize the thumbnail as a functional image against the cultural history of visual attention technologies and the aesthetics of their connective function. Such an endeavour, we propose, allows us to understand and appreciate the significant digital economy and particular aesthetic of the thumbnail image despite its apparent subtlety.

M3 - Journal article

SN - 1396-0466

VL - 22

JO - First Monday

JF - First Monday

IS - 10

ER -

The transformative power of the thumbnail image: Media logistics and infrastructural aesthetics

Abstract

Adgang til dokumentet

Fingeraftryk

Citationsformater