Soluble Self
Artist's Statement
As
an artist I am interested in working with different mediums: video, dance, photography,
and sound.
Most of my ideas and inspirations have come from academic classes, readings, films, and societal observations.
I am intrigued by how an invention changes the way people interact socially and mentally.
I feel that humans have become desensitized through the mass media, propaganda, and modern technology.
How
new forms of media change our inner most thought processes and external modes
of communication
are questions that I examine and attempt to understand.
My work consists of a two part process.
First and foremost, extensive research is required, in order to understand the foundation upon which the ideas for my project are based.
Investigating the world around me, helps me to achieve a greater perspective of the goals I am trying to attain.
The main concept that was researched in the creation of Soluble Self, deals with how and why our society has become
so dependant on modern technology and its changing identity.
I am also interested in how societal constructs have fostered the prolific growth and advancement of technology.
As I gain new information I begin to assemble a blue print of the world I want to create.
Some of these ideas come to me in my sleep, others while workshopping the creation of the various media.
As multi-media work is a complex process involving the fabrication of more than one medium, it is necessary that I stay open and receptive to all ideas that enter my thoughts.
I craft, shape, and reflect on my process as I see it evolve and take form.
I attain feedback on my thoughts and ideas from friends, family, and professors.
Layer upon layer, a tiny universe is built.
It is a universe of many hopes, dreams, and aspirations.
I present a world filled with distractions, where human interaction appears broken and unattainable.
Through this process, human connection occurs despite the surrounding distractions and competing media.
The question of how self-actualization is attained remains open to the performers and the audience.
Through the diversity of mediums, I acknowledge the power and influence that technology has over my work.
I attempt to find a balance between the elements and realize that
As we continue to do our dance with technology, . . . the importance of turning
back towards ourselves,
the prime mover of this technology, grows greater . . . The sacred art of the
past
has unified form, function, and aesthetics around this single ultimate aim.
Today, development of self must precede development of the technology or we
will go nowhere . . .
(Bill Viola 325).
Through the generation of Soluble Self I was able to not only use various
forms of technology, but also understand how varying interfaces create and shape
the space of a performance based environment.
While my research allows me to comprehend the world I am presently living in, my artistic work enables me to express the emotions and concepts that have entered my psyche.
I feel the combination of research and artistic process has allowed Soluble Self to attain a multi-layered existence.
My greatest hope is that I will one day be able to understand how I can use technology to make art that ultimately transcends itself and carries the potential to become a part of daily life.