I tried diverse methods including both the digital and non-digital to grasp more information of the objects I researched in. Some worked out well while others failed finally. However, I will present them all here to show you how the game can be incorporated into the nature of markets in a digital way regardless of its outcomes.
Firstly, I tried to explore the mystery of chess in the market by participant observation. I visit the Brick Lane Markets several times. Just like a newer, I went shopping, had delicious food, took pictures of pretty things, and played chess.Later, I could spend a whole after stand beside Norman, watching them playing chess and talking with others. I try to know how important the chess is to the market by feeling it myself.
And, I interviewed a lot of people, including the challenges, passers-by, other stall owners, and of course, Norman. Others' impression on the chess is a good way to know more about it.
Apart from the casual interviews, I invited some friends to visit the Brick Lane Market and took pictures. Afterwards, I did the photo-elicitation interviews with them.
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Besides, I also did some research online. Actually, I began my project with the online research. The Brick Lane Market is a famous and international market. A lot of people visited here and posted their feelings with pictures online. To get a general idea of the market and its attractions, I searched it in Google and different social media.
I opened a public page for the chess in Brick Lane Market on Facebook, hoping that more posts of the chess would be updated by visitors in this page. However, it failed. Without enough flows, the page was still blank.
As a visitor, I am interested in the chess. However, I missed chessman the first time I visited the Brick Lane market because of the weather. Instead, I could spend more time to explore the markets, including the food, the crafts, the street arts, and vintages.
After knowing Norman, I would go to the market with him in Sunday mornings and greet to his friends nearby. Sometimes, I also play chess with him. Despite I lose everytime, the practice makes me better.
Participant Observation
Interviews helped me know more about Norman and the meaning of chess to the market.
​There are a lot of visitors every Sunday and almost everyone will stop in front of the chess table to watch for a while. Norman will greet to them warmly and invite them to play chess​.
Interviews
casual interviews
Online Ethnography
There is a lot of information about the Brick Lane Market online. And the chessman in the market is a special attraction. Visitors would take pictures, make videos and upload them online. Besides, some televisions also came to interview him.
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To explore the chess in the market in a digital way, I opened a public account for it on Facebook. Unfortunately, my idea failed. But this experience helped me find how popular the chessman was and how people liked him as a part of the market.
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The painting of the chessman and challengers was from an artist, who visited the Brick Lane Market.
​"You do see lots of real characters at London markets, and this little corner has this guy playing against multiple players-the urban street dude, the guy on the way home with his groceries, the euro flashy chess master...all come together in a game of chess in the sun." —Eril Nisbett
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