Seen- Metamorphosis
Group Exhibition, Multimedia
CMU class of 2016 MFA, Pittsburgh, PA, March 2015
#Social #Confusion #Media #Human #Man #Woman #Stuck #Long #Dark #Hard #Distance #Virtual #Life #Lives #Among #Loneliness #Crypt #Fear #Transformation #Photo #Video #Installation #Interaction #Distraction #Construction #De #Repetition #Nothing #Empty #Ego #Echo #Five_days_Ago
This installation seeks to quantify the weight of virtual feelings by materializing the seemingly intangible notifications that hold significance in our digital lives. Despite being meaningless in the physical world, these notifications carry emotional weight in our virtual interactions.
The weight of a "seen" notification in messenger apps is not physical but emotional, and it can vary greatly from person to person. For some individuals, seeing a message without receiving a response may feel like a minor annoyance, while for others, it can evoke feelings of disappointment, frustration, or even sadness.
Feelings evolve in social media through a complex interplay of virtual interactions and real-life emotions. While the interactions themselves may occur in a virtual space, the emotions they elicit are very much real. However, distinguishing between what is real and what is not can be challenging in the realm of social media, where virtual interactions can have tangible effects on our emotions and real-life relationships.
The phenomenon you described, where individuals experience a weight on their chest when their messages are seen but not replied to, highlights the impact of virtual interactions on our emotional well-being. Despite being virtual, these interactions can carry significant emotional weight for many people, influencing their mood and overall sense of connection.
Your survey results demonstrate that this feeling is shared by many individuals, underscoring the importance of acknowledging and understanding the emotional implications of virtual communication. By creating a physical representation of this virtual experience, you've provided a tangible expression of a common emotional phenomenon, shedding light on the ways in which our virtual interactions can affect our real-life emotions.
