During the pandemic, an inadvertent, large-scale “sensory deprivation experiment” unfolded as people were confined to low-stimulation environments due to quarantine... Read More
During the pandemic, an inadvertent, large-scale “sensory deprivation experiment” unfolded as people were confined to low-stimulation environments due to quarantine measures. Despite isolation, the advancement of information technology enabled smooth communication through various instant messaging platforms, seemingly mitigating the risk of psychological disorders stemming from sensory deprivation. However, this raises the question: Can programming languages fully convey the depth of human emotion? Hebb’s theory suggests that the persistence or repetition of a reverberatory activity, or "trace," can induce lasting cellular changes, enhancing its stability. This phenomenon prompts an inquiry into whether the collective depletion of emotional stimuli during the pandemic has led to a diminished or skewed perception of social emotions.
"Sound Bite" is a multifaceted installation that features a microphone positioned in the window of a hypothetical quarantine room, accompanied by an iPad equipped with sound acquisition software and image/audio feedback capabilities. The microphone, reminiscent of a children’s toy, serves as a potent medium for emotional transmission. In this work, the artist embarks on an exploratory journey, utilizing a simulated object neuron to delve into the emotional complexities brought forth by the pandemic in our technologically advanced era. The artist, Ouyang Jiamin, presents "Sound Bite" as a confluence of audio, imagery, and an assortment of materials, encapsulating the essence of our contemporary struggles and the quest for emotional clarity amidst technological prevalence.
