Untitled, Unknown
Jen Liu
Untitled, Unknown is an archive of obscure online creations, from blog posts to YouTube videos, translated into physical books to invite reflection on how we value creative work.
An archive is a collection of historical records, but it is not neutral: decisions about what is preserved are typically made by a small group of individuals within academic institutions. In art and design, museums and cultural institutions play this role and act as sites of public education, shaping cultural knowledge and taste, and influencing what is remembered through their curatorial and conservation choices. The rise of the internet introduces a new dynamic: anyone can publish anything and instantly reach audiences beyond their immediate communities, allowing individuals to contribute directly in the production and circulation of knowledge. Through the possibility of virality, ordinary users can shape what gains visibility and cultural significance. While the internet has the potential to democratize knowledge, it is itself an archive without anyone to maintain it.
Untitled, Unknown responds to these conditions by recontextualizing ephemeral digital works to question how value is assigned, what is preserved, and who decides. Like all archives, this project is shaped by acts of selection and framing. It functions as a response to traditional archival and institutional structures, providing a space to recognize overlooked acts of creation.