The Wheels

Sophie Ryan

Read about the project

Sophie Ryan’s video The Wheels represents constant cycles both in life and in the development of technologies. The capitalistic mindset of “grinding” and “pushing yourself” inspires this piece. As rapid edits build momentum, a recognizable lifestyle pattern is revealed. Multiple clips placed back-to-back create repetition, evoking a dreadful feeling that many associate with 9-to-5 lifestyles. Reinforcing this compulsive pattern, Ryan inserts clips showing technology in use. For example, The Wheels begins with someone waking up and immediately going on their phone. Various clips depict a younger generation that is overly invested in technology and social media. Evoking “the grind,” Ryan recreates the journey of a commuter. We see a few people coming out of a building, then a scene of a train passing, followed by the street view from inside the train. In between these clips, Ryan introduces the audience to a young couple experiencing some of the emotional ups and downs people face throughout a day. As Ryan continues to build tension in her video, the first character goes to bed, and the same day replays over again at a very fast speed. Ryan is guided by her feelings and intuition in creating most of her work, and in The Wheels, she has incorporated technologies ranging from a typewriter to an iPhone. Ryan’s choice of media captures the essence of her generation as well as the development of technology, resulting in a video that resonates emotionally while offering a technological critique.