Media Archaeology: Approaches, Applications, and Implications by Erkki Huhtamo and Jussi Parikka

Erkki Huhtamo’s concept of “Topos” is a fascinating idea in the realm of media studies. “Topos” can be thought of as a kind of recurring theme or a common pattern that keeps showing up in different forms of media throughout history. They argue a familiar story or image keeps reappearing, even when technology changes. Huhtamo’s concept of “Topos” identifies these timeless building blocks of media culture, highlighting their adaptability across various forms of media—from ancient cave paintings to modern digital platforms. By examining these recurring themes, such as the hero’s journey, the book reveals the connections between ancient, old and new media. This study offers insights into how media shapes culture over time, uncovering the persistent patterns that endure despite technological advancements. Critically, for this Timeline, an example of “topoi” is the human urge to express creatively with systems, exploring the tension between order and randomness. Topos suggest a theory for connecting these major themes—and moments—of the Timeline. This thinking extends to the Timeline’s first moment about ancient systems cave carvings, to Islamic tiling art, Mozart, Bridget Riley, Sol LeWitt, Vera Molnár, Yoko Ono and Kim Asendorf.