Slime Diaries is a multi-dimensional research project that investigates our contemporary fascination and engagement with abject materials in the post-internet age through various historical and theoretical lenses.

It began when I started to connect the ever-growing appearance of slime in my domestic life with the increasing popularity of so-called pimple popping videos on YouTube and Instagram, specifically the YouTube channel of the American dermatologist Sandra Lee (Dr. Pimple Popper), and the frequent news stories around the discovery and destruction of fatbergs in the UK sewer system.

Connecting childish pursuits with ASMR practices and the problems of urban living, the project Slime Diaries explores, investigates and otherwise prises open the contemporary fascination with abject materials in the post-internet age.

Slime Diaries has included a critical essay for Tenderfoot, a digital writing project on materialisms by the artist Laura White; a performance lecture and seminar for the Fine Art Research Group, comprising postgraduate research students from Goldsmiths, Royal College of Art and the Slade; a radio show on Montez Press Radio on slime; and a performance lecture for The Urgency of the Arts Lecture Series at the Royal College of Art.

The project will culminate with two books, a reader and a film on slime and slimey matters.

The first book, Slime: A History, identifies different historical appearances of slime, such as ectoplasm and toxic waste, and aims to situate their bubbling ups to the surface of public consciousness within their historical, cultural, social and political contexts. The second book, Abject Materialisms, centred on slime, pus and fatbergs interrogates the theory of abjection and new materialisms in the post-internet age.

As additional outputs documenting research process, I am looking to author a reader on slime, as part of Goldsmiths’ Department of Design collaborative initiative Critical Materialities; and produce a short film on slimey matters.

• Kristensen, J C. 2017. Pockets of Slime: A Critical Essay. Tenderfoot: A Materiality Website/Artwork by Laura White, [Article]
• Kristensen, J C. 2017. 'Pockets of Slime'. In: Materiality Session for The Mountain of Art Research (MARs) Centre. Goldsmiths, University of London, United Kingdom 6 December 2017. [Conference or Workshop Item]
• Kristensen, J C and Pope, Emily. 2019. Slime Radio Hour. [Broadcast]
• Kristensen, J C. 2019. 'Slime: That Hinterland Substance, This Material of the Moment'. In: The Urgency of the Arts Lecture Series. Royal College of Art, United Kingdom 30 October 2019. [Conference or Workshop Item]
• Kristensen, J C. 2019. 'An Oscillating Wave: How to recarve a space for an academic practice through life’s little vagaries'. In: Shit Happens Panel, College Art Association Annual Conference. Chicago, United States. [Conference or Workshop Item]

https://research.gold.ac.uk/id/eprint/25351