Jamming to map creative scenes and practices

Abstract

In this paper I detail my experiences undertaking an ICT4D project that aimed to better understand how under-resourced visual creatives used mobile technologies to participate in creative 'scenes' in Cape Town, South Africa. The project was focused on developing novel digital applications to better support localized practices. From a post-qualitative perspective, I could map the scenes of 'jamming' together with participants. In describing these scenes, a better understanding is formed of how technologies could be re-designed to support situated creative activities as constellations of creative practices, social imaginaries and materialities. I offer provocations for the future of Digital Development within the creative and cultural industries, namely that creative scenes are about social imaginary and the imminent participations of people; That creative participation is about more than just economic participation; That doing inquiry is about imagining different material realities together with participants; And that 'development' implies dynamic change.