INFLUX uses digital collage, interactive web based work, video and
audio to investigate society, influence, and social media by
examining the impact of digital technologies on our sense of self
and our relationship to the world. Drawing on a range of
influences, from physical hardware to celebrities, the works in
this section push the boundaries of what we think of as "real" and
"influential," inviting us to question our assumptions about the
nature of social influences and norms.
son-der.
Karla Morales
Acceptance
Ashley Park
Importance of a Science
Benjamin Loshinsky
Within or Without?
Angela Bernabeo
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son-der.
Karla Morales
son-der. is a collection of digital portraits encapsulating
the multifaceted impacts of social media, technology, and
celebrity on the human mind and societal perceptions. Through
the use of video and digital editing softwares, the series
seeks to capture the diverse ways in which these modern
phenomena shape our lives, values, and identities. It
open-endedly approaches complex questions, such as, why do
humans crave attention and desire notoriety? And how has the
evolution of human interaction via social media platforms and
technology amplified these impulses and transformed behavior?
The portraits utilize a range of techniques including,
collage, inversion, exploration of negative space and
deconstruction of pop cultural imagery. These deconstructed
digital portraits capture a variety of subjects, including
polarizing and infamous individuals from different backgrounds
and cultures, as well as celebrities and public figures. Each
portrait carefully conveys the specific impact of these themes
on the human psyche from the ways they shape our self-image to
how they determine our relationships, politics, and social
norms. Ultimately, this project seeks to contribute to a
greater understanding of the complex relationship between the
new digital age and the human mind, hoping to catalyze
discussions regarding more conscious and responsible uses of
these powerful tools.
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Acceptance
Ashley Park
Acceptance is an audio piece created by Ashley Park that
explores the realm of technology, specifically, social media’s
negative influences on the current and future generations. It
is a mix of audio combinations extracted from various sources
(interviews, news, etc.) speaking on mental health issues that
have been magnified by the growing presence and integration of
social media today. Audiences can expect a mix of sounds such
as screams, pounding, real witnesses sharing their
perspectives, etc., supported by musical climax in the
background that helps to build its drama.
Through this audio piece, Ashley wanted to portray the typical
FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) experience of kids wanting to stay
relevant and trendy among their peers. She believes that the
increasing popularity of social media has also magnified its
negative effects on young people. She hopes that her work can
raise awareness on the importance of protecting your mental
health by recognizing its algorithmic nature and investing in
real world activities and relationships.
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Importance of a Science
Benjamin Loshinsky
The digital work, Importance of a Science, is a video that
explores the issues surrounding urban development and
gentrification in New York City. Through an immersive
experience, viewers will be able to see and hear firsthand the
impact of development on communities and neighborhoods. The
video will feature audio commentary that discusses topics such
as the development of infrastructure, displacement of
long-time residents, and the changing dynamics of
neighborhoods. The goal of this project is to create a
compelling and informative experience that raises awareness of
the issues surrounding urban development and gentrification.
Viewers will be fully immersed in the subject matter, allowing
them to engage with the material in a more meaningful and
impactful way. Ultimately, the hope is that this work will
spark conversation and inspire action towards creating more
equitable and sustainable urban communities. By examining the
ways in which our cities change over time, he hopes to
contribute to a broader conversation about the role of
development in our lives, and to inspire others to think
critically about the spaces they inhabit.
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Within or Without?
Angela Bernabeo
Within or Without? is an interactive artwork by Angela
Bernabeo that aims to explore the impact of the computer mouse
on gender representation in computer science. Through a unique
user experience, the work challenges the theory that the
introduction of the computer mouse in 1964 decreased women's
prevalence in the field. While navigating the webpage, users
are invited to create a drawing first, using the keyboard and
then, using the computer mouse. Along the way, images of the
evolution of the computer mouse and AI-generated images of
"coders" from before and after its invention are presented,
creating a thought-provoking visual narrative. Afterward,
users are directed to a Google form via QR code to reflect on
their experience and attitudes towards using a keyboard versus
a computer mouse, and how these may relate to gender.
Having been taught coding from a young age, Angela has always
been aware of the scarcity of women and girls in computer
science. However, it wasn't until studying in a digital
interactivity college course that she discovered the works of
Emma Rae Bruml, whose art exposed the masculine and
capitalistic implications of the computer mouse. Through
Within or Without?, Angela seeks to spark critical thinking
and discussion around the shift towards a male-dominated
computer science field, encouraging users to theorize and
question the underlying factors at play.