lost delves into the exploration of one's identity amidst conflict, internal struggles, and obstacles. It reflects the experience of losing oneself not only mentally but also physically—immersing in the depths of personal thoughts and navigating the complexities of the world.
Anika Rios
What I Am Desperately Ashamed Of is a video work that discusses the behavioral effects of human isolation and sheds light on the discomfort often associated with it. Viewers are invited into the world through a first-person perspective where they inhabit the body of a habitual skin-picker and people-watcher. The artist, Anika Rios, explores the depth of these concepts through an interplay of color, voiceover, closeups, and editing to reveal an intensely raw aspect of identity and yearning within the human psyche that translates outward.
Drawing from her personal experiences of self-imposed isolation and anxious habits, Rios weaves a narrative that resonates with the depth of her journey. The video clips capture bits of a 30-minute-long nail-picking episode set against eyes observing the world. The spoken poetry played throughout the piece serves as a glimpse into an internal landscape. The visible manifestations of mental turmoil in the video may be seen as peculiar, but they mirror complex emotions such as fear, worry, anger, and more that often remain concealed behind what society deems as ‘strange’ physical acts. The act of shooting was not without its challenges. Rios dealt with intense anxiety as she navigated the cityscape with a large conspicuous briefcase, tripod, and camera. The irony of being both the observer and the observed, coupled with the artist’s reluctance to be seen underscores the dichotomy between watching and longing to remain unwatched.Anika Rios is a versatile mixed-media artist whose connection to the creative arts dates back to her early adolescence. Raised in Texas, she spent much of her formative years within the confines of her home, primarily venturing out for school. Her sanctuary became painting amidst other traditional media, a world that wove in together with her interest in new media arts as she became an adult. Rios dives into multifaceted themes and draws inspiration from her personal experiences. She explores subjects that touch upon family dynamics, struggles of alcoholism, complexities of mental health, nuances of gender identity, and exploration of spirituality. She aims to bring attention to the reality of gritty circumstances that many people around the world suffer through, whether or not they overcome them. Rios is finishing her education at Baruch College where she is earning a Bachelor's degree in Business Communications and a minor in New Media Arts. She interns at a humanitarian aid nonprofit as a graphic designer and also works as a Docent at the New Media Artspace Gallery situated in Baruch College. She is the Graphics Director for Encounters Magazine, her school’s Arts and Literary Magazine.
Kevin Wang
Weeknd Blues, an animated exploration of the art of delaying the inevitable. In this black-and-white narrative, viewers are taken on a visual journey through a typical weekend of a college student, where an impending due date looms at the end of the week. The animation artfully captures the essence of procrastination: the familiar struggle of staying in bed just a little longer, losing track of time while engrossed in computer games, and succumbing to endless videos on the phone, all while the clock keeps ticking. By delving into the character's life, the animation illuminates the hidden emotions and pressures behind procrastinatory behavior. In this shared experience, viewers may find comfort in knowing that they are not alone in their struggles, fostering a sense of empathy and understanding.
Kevin Wang is a multimedia artist based in NYC who loves exploring the balance between the intersection of technology and art to forge innovative expressions around the nuanced themes of multifaceted layers of human identity and the ever-evolving world. Kevin incorporates animation and sound, creating a sensorial experience that adds dimension to his work. Kevin at a young age learned different traditional forms of art such as painting, drawing, and sculpting but the passion for art was momentarily set aside due to parental expectations. After taking classes for his NMA minor at Baruch College, the option to use multimedia elements rekindled his passion for art. Embracing this revived passion, Kevin draws inspiration from the relentless advancement of technology in our ever-changing world. To him, art transcends mere aesthetics; it becomes a profound means of self-expression, a canvas where he translates his observations, emotions, and visions into tangible creations. Through his art, Kevin seeks to capture the essence of the human experience, reflecting the interplay between technology and creativity.
Eric Ip
In Something to Forget, Eric Ip aims to highlight the negativity prevalent in the lives of people within his generation. Life, existence, and the universe are devoid of meaning, purpose, and value often leading to emotional distress, social disconnection, and psychological challenges. Transitioning into our early adulthood, we are often lost, distressed, and helpless against the infinite possibilities forward. Ip's work depicts an introspective dialogue, prompting contemplation on how to transcend perpetual despair, negativity, and ambiguity to forge purpose within a valueless existence. The work reflects Ip's philosophical journey in grappling with nihilism, existentialism, and absurdism. When faced with such hopelessness would it be easier to just give up? Or should we continue anyway despite knowing that it may all be for naught? He hopes to create a conversation that, one day, will be forgotten as viewers embrace the insignificance of everything. To imbue their lives with personal significance despite the inherent meaninglessness of the world.
Eric Ip is a video artist from New York who tackles the timeless human dilemma of self-identity and self-awareness through his work. His art has been described as boundless and challenging, as it captures the process of finding oneself within the rapidly changing world of today. Ip continues to struggle with finding his place in this world as he transitions into early adulthood. His art is more than just a form of expression but is a personal philosophy that has allowed him to explore the inner machinations of his mind. He believes in embracing the chaotic nature of this world, taking anything and everything as experience for the tumultuous future, and learning about oneself. Ip’s work often combines found audio and video with philosophical commentary to bring about a thought-provoking experience. With his work, Eric Ip invites viewers to explore and understand their own identities and discover new possibilities within themselves.
Matthew Han
"Are you truly free?
We live lives of repetition within a system: eating, sleeping, working. The system is convenient, efficient, and repetitive. Matthew Han's short film The Absence of Communication poses a question: Is a system void of communication and social connection truly humane? It questions the role of societies current social and technological structures not just as a functional entity, but as a space for the life of a being with personality. While the system is efficient, humans are not. In doing so, the film prompts us to reflect upon our own existence within this system. The protagonist in the film constantly looks in the mirror but never really sees herself. She eats, but her soul remains unfed. Living in this bland, repetitive system of human society, she experiences anger as a side effect. Her anger is a rebellion and a deviation as a human. Because she is human, she expresses anger. Because she is human, she throws out the message of anger. Anger is not normal. Yet, without it, humans die. It is only when she faces this fierce anger, rather than a cold mirror, that she gets the chance to reflect on herself. However, this introspection is fleeting, and she soon returns to living within the system, passing by this crucial opportunity to confront herself.”Matthew Han is an artist who explores our dynamic world with his camera, specializing in portraiture. He was born in New York and has resided in diverse countries such as Korea, Bangladesh, and China, these experiences have instilled in him a quest for self-exploration and a broader inquiry into the essence of being human. Since childhood, he has been immersed in a diversity of races, cultures, religions, and nationalities, a journey that eventually led him to Baruch College in New York. He deepened his understanding of these diverse experiences by majoring in Intercultural and International Communication. Utilizing photography and video as his primary media, he chose New Media Art as a minor, experiencing the art of storytelling through a spectrum of mediums. This educational journey has been a critical foundation for him to elevate his observations and experiences of humanity into art. His works capture the multifaceted nature of human beings through a personal lens that encompasses various aspects of human inner selves, offering a visual dialogue that allows viewers to share the depth of life's experiences. He continuously seeks to discover the stories within people, posing questions about the shared human condition through his art. His creations go beyond mere images; they encapsulate the narratives and identities of individuals, as well as a profound reflection on the world we co-create.
Jesus Pinto
The work titled TRPPD/BRKING-FREE by Jesus Pinto aims to shed light on the materialistic dreams imposed by society, particularly among individuals in our generation who are overly fixated on material possessions. Inspired by the bible verse Mark 8:36, which questions the value of gaining the entire world at the expense of one’s soul, this project seeks to explore the consequences of prioritizing wealth and materialism over the richness of life’s experiences.
Almost everyone is born with the same amount of wealth, which is time. Time, as a currency, cannot be acquired or increased. It is crucial to consider how we utilize this invaluable resource. Through the conceptual video presented in “TRPPD/BRKING-FREE,” Jesus portrays his imaginative interpretation of the potential consequence of sacrificing time solely for the pursuit of wealth and material possessions. Jesus employs a combination of film and audio elements, inviting viewers to ponder this message. This work is intended for anyone in life, as it encourages reflection on the true value of time and the potential consequences of fixating on materialistic pursuits.Jesus Pinto (b. 2000, White Plains NY, United States) is a video and mixed media artist based in White Plains. Jesus delves into conceptual questions about life, drawing inspiration from personal experiences and various forms of media. His passion for film and audio, which he was exposed to during his teenage years, has shaped his artistic practice. Central to Jesus’ work are the themes of conceptualism and existentialism, which drive his creativity and serve as a wellspring of ideas. Additionally, Jesus aims to create art that resonates with viewers and offers them something meaningful. His intention is to convey messages that can provide guidance and inspiration for individuals navigating through life’s challenges. Through his artwork, Jesus aspires to offer a unique perspective and provoke thoughtful reflection, ultimately encouraging personal growth and understanding.
Abiha Amir
Unveiling Realities: A Cinematic Exploration of Life Unveiling Realities: Depression and anxiety are something that is part of everyone's lives for free. The cruel reality about stress is that you can play with it and perform it whenever you want. This short story aims to create a compelling and thought-provoking cinematic video that delves deep into the multifaceted aspects of life. This project seeks to challenge common perceptions and portray the raw, unfiltered truths that define the human experience. Through a combination of powerful storytelling, evocative cinematography, and poignant narratives, the project intends to shed light on the realities that often remain hidden beneath the surface.
This art project delves into the complexities and potential of enduring relationships with one's true reality. It is rooted in emotional connections, revealing the profound facets of life and the challenges inherent in navigating it. My passion for photography ignited around my 12th birthday when I received a Nintendo DS. From capturing spontaneous moments, I derived joy. Over time, my affinity for cinematography blossomed, transforming ordinary videos into dramatic, well-developed shots. The project unfolds through cinematic videos that illustrate the dual lives people lead, reflecting their true realities. Throughout the narrative, I explore the boundaries of human consciousness, contemplating what it means to exist beyond the confines of our bodies. Crafting this story demanded patience. I employed a mix of my iPhone and camera to capture diverse shots, encountering obstacles in assembling participants and executing the concept effectively. Naturally occurring emotions like anxiety and depression posed challenges in recreating melancholic moods. Additionally, manipulating lighting proved tricky; while desiring dark and gloomy shots, nighttime recording presented quality issues and hindered detail capture. Overcoming these hurdles involved introspection into my own emotions, and imagining the feelings associated with sadness. To address the lighting issue, I incorporated external lights, significantly enhancing the video quality and intensifying the overall impact. In conclusion, this art project serves as a poignant exploration into the intricate dynamics of a long-term relationship between an individual and their true reality. Rooted in emotional connections, it unravels the profound essence of life and the inherent challenges that accompany its navigation.Abiha Amir, an artist hailing from Long Island, New York, explores the latent cinematic potential embedded in the ordinary fabric of daily life. Her creative journey, largely self-taught, burgeoned from a profound passion for photography and cinematography that manifested at a young age. Amir's artistic ethos is grounded in the belief that the profound can be found in the seemingly mundane, and she is dedicated to expressing ineffable experiences through meaningful and inventive avenues. Embracing her commitment to instincts, intuition, and unfiltered emotion, Amir's body of work emanates a vivid, profound, and cinematic quality. Her creations extend an invitation to delve into the dormant beauty interwoven into the tapestry of our everyday existence.
Amir's evolution as a photographer has led her to a holistic understanding of the narratives, meanings, and perspectives captured through her lens, whether wielding a traditional camera or her trusty iPhone. She contends that life's stories are inherently cinematic, infusing existence with an aesthetic character worth appreciating. Her philosophy emphasizes the importance of recognizing the cinematic quality in our narratives, urging an appreciation for the inherent beauty within ourselves—where the eyes, not the mirror, reflect the essence of our souls. Currently a senior at Baruch College, Amir is pursuing a degree in Computer Information Systems while minoring in New Media Arts. Simultaneously, she dedicates her time to a part-time role as a photographer. Amir's accolades include a first-place award for a captivating photograph, solidifying her prowess in capturing the extraordinary within the ordinary. Amir's creative prowess extends beyond static images; she has a penchant for transforming everyday videos into dramatic cinematic shots, showcasing her ability to elevate the ordinary into the extraordinary.