2024
Stenros, Jaakko; Montola, Markus; Saitta, Eleanor
The General Problem of Indexicality in Larp Design other
2024.
Abstract | Links | Tags: Indexicality, Larp, Larp design, Representation
@other{Stenros2024b,
title = {The General Problem of Indexicality in Larp Design},
author = {Jaakko Stenros and Markus Montola and Eleanor Saitta },
editor = {Kaisa Kangas and Jonne Arjoranta and Ruska Kevätkoski},
url = {https://nordiclarp.org/2024/06/27/the-general-problem-of-indexicality-in-larp-design/},
isbn = {978-952-69423-5-3},
year = {2024},
date = {2024-06-27},
urldate = {2024-06-27},
booktitle = {Liminal Encounters: Evolving Discourse in Nordic and Nordic Inspired Larp},
pages = {64-80},
publisher = {Ropecon ry},
abstract = {In this article we aim to make sense of larp in practice. We put into writing common structures of larp that “everyone already knows”, examine them, and explain why these features have the effects that they have. To do this, minimal tools from semiotics are borrowed. We discuss this aesthetic of doing things for real from the angle of the general problem of indexicality: all strategies for representation in larp carry inherent trade-offs in terms of what can be presented, how, by whom, to whom, with what likely interpretations, and under what circumstances. Since the (general) problem of indexicality has two sides – the difficulty of similar enough interpretations, and the deeply contextual assigning of meaning – we first look at why uniform interpretations are hard to foster, and then move on to the practical challenges of striving for authenticity in larp locations, setting, actions, knowledge, and finally the living bodies of the players. On the way, we also discuss indexicality as an explicit design ideal.},
keywords = {Indexicality, Larp, Larp design, Representation},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {other}
}
In this article we aim to make sense of larp in practice. We put into writing common structures of larp that “everyone already knows”, examine them, and explain why these features have the effects that they have. To do this, minimal tools from semiotics are borrowed. We discuss this aesthetic of doing things for real from the angle of the general problem of indexicality: all strategies for representation in larp carry inherent trade-offs in terms of what can be presented, how, by whom, to whom, with what likely interpretations, and under what circumstances. Since the (general) problem of indexicality has two sides – the difficulty of similar enough interpretations, and the deeply contextual assigning of meaning – we first look at why uniform interpretations are hard to foster, and then move on to the practical challenges of striving for authenticity in larp locations, setting, actions, knowledge, and finally the living bodies of the players. On the way, we also discuss indexicality as an explicit design ideal.