PROJECTS
OPTIMISTIC NIHILISM (2022-)
‘Optimistic Nihilism #1-5’ (2022)
For us Millenials, technology is an inherent part of our upbringing. Since I was a child, I have felt a strong fascination with outer space and science. This world holds an unbelievable natural beauty, this interconnectedness of nature in its many similarities; molecular structure and synaptic connections in brains mimic a cosmic network. The internet has made us more connected with one another, like nodes, but we seem to be more distant or complacent about physical human connection than before its invention. We cannot separate ourselves from technology as it has morphed itself with our lives and society, this conscious and unconscious parallel we find our species in, we now cannot exist without it.
Sonification
‘Optimistic Nihilism #6-10: Sonification’ (2022)
Audiovisual monitor slideshow
5 x 30 second clips
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This project explores holistic and transcendent ideologies through imagery and sound via various digital mediums, allowing for an expanded understanding of the gestalt relationship between visual images and sound.
‘Optimistic Nihilism #11: Sonification’, (2022)
Audiovisual wall projection
2 minutes 24 seconds
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The data-projection work portrays a glitched dance performance to a soundscape that has been created from digital image composites of the dancer and Milky Way. The second screen depicts moving pixelated images, the sound element was again created via image sonification. In this project, I am exploring the malleability of digital data. I have utilised data conversion techniques to translate images to sound, known as sonification. The project expands on themes of interconnection and introspection via multiple digital mediums. I seek to communicate an experience of space and a transcendent understanding of connection with the broader universe. These soundscapes were designed to emulate the feeling of space whilst considering methods of sound healing meditation. The audience must indulge in each audio-visual track to experience this journey, letting the sound flow through you.
‘Optimistic Nihilism: Character Select’ (2023)
This facet of project, my intention is to explore the interconnectedness of human experiences and provoke contemplation about the nature of reality and personal identity. By incorporating video portraits and the concept of character selection from video games, I aim to create a more intimate and relatable experience for viewers. Through the deliberate blurring of boundaries between reality and computer-generated imagery, I seek to evoke the uncanny valley phenomenon and challenge viewers' perceptions. By employing glitch aesthetics and fast-paced transitions, I aim to create a unique visual language that engages and holds the viewers' interest. Ultimately, my project delves into the core themes of existentialism, inviting viewers to reflect on their own experiences and perspectives while contemplating the complex interplay between reality and subjective perception.
‘Optimistic Nihilism: Aura Portraits’ (2023)
My primary goal was to advance the interactive artwork component of my project, "Optimistic Nihilism," focusing on the "Aura Portraits" segment. This phase aimed to explore human auras and their digital, interactive representation. I planned to use an infrared depth camera to capture participants' movements and translate this data into dynamic digital auras in real-time. The installation was designed to allow users' movements to influence the colors and patterns of the auras on screen. However, given its work-in-progress status, the Studio 4 installation featured a one-channel recorded loop instead of live interactivity. This recorded version demonstrated how the final installation would function, displayed on a 32-inch TV screen mounted in portrait orientation to engage viewers with the digital auras.
This phase in Studio 4 visually demonstrated the potential of bringing aura concepts to life through digital technology. It was a crucial step in my larger project, providing insights and feedback for the final presentation. Although incomplete, this installation set the foundation for developing a fully interactive and immersive experience in future stages.