l00k at y0u. Start-up, User1User2, Shut-down

Following my video animation, ‘look at you’, the next step was to materialise the experience of being on and offline. A linear story beginning with the startup of a computer, to the shutdown, the digital prints are composed as if multiple windows were open on a screen. Extracting individual frames from the GIFs used in the original video, a still image was composed into four digital collages. Each piece conveys a different yet memorable experience of the early internet.

Inspired by Cory Arcangel’s digitally knitted carpet, ‘Water’ (2018), I wanted to include an interactive element for viewers. Given the opportunity to interact with the final presentation using paper cursor cutouts and the instruction, “stick them wherever you want”, the viewers are somewhat emulating the absurd yet entertaining culture of being online.

Observing the placement of the cursors, what does it reveal about us? No matter where the cursors were placed, they continue to be anonymous and all the same; is that a scary thought? A soothing thought?