Not suitable for user base - Art in walled gardens  

This course teaches how to create face filters using the software Spark AR Studio. Spark AR Studio is a proprietary application which is provided for free by Facebook Inc. However content created can only be used on Instagram and Facebook; social platforms that are part of the company. This of course means creators have to follow the companies terms of use and community standards. 

In the framework of this course we want to consciously break these rules and create face filters that are critical and sensational. What does it mean for the creative practice if a new medium comes to exist that is being restricted by self-imposed moral standards of a corporation? 

„A closed platform, walled garden, or closed ecosystem[1][2] is a software system wherein the carrier or service provider has control over applications, content, and media, and restricts convenient access to non-approved applicants or content. This is in contrast to an open platform, wherein consumers generally have unrestricted access to applications and content.“
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Closed_platform    

„4.3. Suitability for user base. Content must be suitable for consumption by the Facebook and Instagram general user base (including those aged 13 and above): • 4.3.a. Content must not be shocking, sensational, disrespectful or excessively violent. • 4.3.b. Content must not promote illegal products, services or activities, or content that is inappropriate or unsafe. • 4.3.c. Content must not promote alcohol, tobacco, marijuana or pharmaceutical medical products, nor be published by brands associated with such products. • 4.3.d. Content must not be of an adult or sexual nature; for example, nudity, depictions of people in explicit or suggestive positions, or activities that are overly suggestive or sexually provocative. • 4.3.e. Content must not discriminate against, harass, provoke, or disparage people.“
https://sparkar.facebook.com/ar-studio/learn/documentation/before-you-start/policy/    

„Brand new features. All-new possibilities.“
https://sparkar.facebook.com/ar-studio/

Conceptualizion, creation and presentation of a Face Filter.

Due to the current situation this course will be held online.
Dates will remain as planned.
More information will be sent out via the Base mailing system to students accepted in the course.