Paper short abstract:

In our camera ethnographic research on digitalisation in early childhood, we make ‘concrete’ media practices visible. Yet, abstract ideas shape audiences’ perspectives. Our “looking laboratories” invite viewers to exchange their experiences and co-construct (audio-visual) anthropological knowledge.

Paper long abstract:

In our camera ethnographic research on digitalisation in early childhood, we observe and make visible ‘concrete’ media practices. We attend to what our participants do with different kinds of media in everyday life in diverse settings. Yet, the ways that audiences experience our audio-visual productions are shaped by their own (pre-)conceptions about childhood and media, and by their own viewing habits or ways of seeing. Rather than settling back into tired, unresolvable debates that pit (mis-)representation against (mis-)interpretation, we incorporate audiences and participants into our research process by hosting “looking laboratories” (Mohn) in various formats (e.g., exhibitions, interactive platforms, workshops, multi-media publications) where we invite viewers with different perspectives to engage in dialogue and expand their – and our – ways of seeing and experiencing audio-visual work. In the process, not only do we gain new insights into media practices in early childhood, we also explore the performative co-construction of anthropological knowledge and audio-visual experiencing.

The presentation will include camera ethnographic work (Hare, Mohn, Vogelpohl) from the project “Early Childhood and Smartphone” (Wiesemann) within the CRC “Media of Cooperation”, University of Siegen.