Sophie Capshaw-Mack

Here We Are

Here We Are (2023) is a mesmerizing visual poem that embraces the captivating notion of panpsychism, a profound philosophical belief that awareness permeates every aspect of existence, no matter how subtle. Departing from dualism or physicalism theories of consciousness, panpsychism suggests that the very fabric of reality is infused with awareness in varying degrees. Through an evocative exploration of the profound interconnection between all entities, Here We Are blurs the boundaries between material and ethereal dimensions. The film invites viewers to ponder the intricate relationships between the real and the imagined, provoking contemplation on the underlying nature of existence itself. By investigating the notion of universal awareness, Here We Are prompts reflection on the profound way in which technology can facilitate disembodiment and unified consciousness.

Artist Bio

Sophie Capshaw-Mack is an experimental new media artist investigating the nature of consciousness. She imagines vibrant technicolor dreamscapes as a means of exploring the mysteries of the mind and its intricate connection to physical reality.

Sophie’s art practice involves fusing technology with conventional artistic methods, thus synthesizing tangible elements of creative expression with intangible modes of production. Through her artwork, she aims to blur the distinction between material and ethereal dimensions while cultivating a sense of empathy and compassion across diverse forms of intelligence and existence. Her exploration into consciousness is deeply inspired by her lived experiences as a disabled and neurodivergent artist.

Sophie holds a Master's degree in Environmental Science and Policy from Columbia University, where she was recognized as an Environmental Fellow at the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). She earned her Bachelor's degree in Philosophy from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC), graduating Phi Beta Kappa. At UNC-Chapel Hill, Sophie was honored with the prestigious Burch Fellowship, in addition to being selected as a Parr Center for Ethics Fellow and a Carolina Scholar.

Sophie has produced creative work in collaboration with Columbia Climate School, Columbia University Press, Duke University Forum for Scholars and Publics, Honors Carolina at UNC-Chapel Hill, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, and the United Nations International Computing Centre (UNICC). She has also been the recipient of competitive grants awarded by United States Artists and the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, with support from the National Endowment for the Arts and Durham Arts Council.