Social media emerged with the development of technology and transiently lead or accelerate emotional connection. Our response tends to be more routined because social media created the same pattern for connecting with others. The authenticity of these connections suffered because we take technology for granted. This virtual interaction evolved into the new normal. We used to emphasize the quality of connection in the real world. But now social media streamlines connections between users. It creates anonymity behind the screen and enables people to easily reject others as simply as pressing the unfriend button.
I imprinted phrases on the different parts of the body. The phrases from different app alerts received after people are unfriended, slowly fade over time. I record this process in the studio and display the videos in a grid in real time. The video is looped with the reverse clip afterward so the impressions faded out and in. The text and algorithm-patterned exchange and impact body directly. The body is absorbing the sadness, loneliness, depression of rejection on social media.
I’m mining for new forms of expression that voice the alienating effects of social media. Message failed to send resonates beyond mere algorithm and index this incomplete communication.