Kaprys - Monstre by Alina Szapocznikow 1967

The piece is made out of foam, metal, cotton fiberglass, resin, and wiring + a lightbulb. The tech being used would inclue the electricity to create the light. The lightbulb in a sense is simply just a tool used to illuminate however it also represents something burning and glowing within. The light is covered by a sheet of resin, causing it to diffuse. There isn’t obvious wiring so I imagine that there is some sort of battery pack or wiring going on internall so that the floating illusion continues to be effective. As you look upon it, it almost feels as if it’s full potential is being held back. Like it’s waiting to be unleashed. What originally drew me to this sculpture was that I thought it looked like fallopian tubes from the female reproductive system. After reading I found out that it actually represent appendages such as arms and legs contorted in such a grotesque way. The lightbulb represents the presence of threat and violence. How it exists around us and within us. And how it is important to acknowledge it. 

Oz (New Humans Version) by Cao Fei 2022

This piece utliizes two screens playing similar yet different videos of the same animation. It also includes sound. The technology being used here is animation and putting it onto a screen. I was drawn specifically to this piece because the human featured in it looked cyborg-like and reminded me of avatars of video games I’ve played. The work highlights how uncertain the future is as we all wonder what the impact of technology will have on the our lives. I find it inspiring because a lot of work with this topic can be quite depressing or eerie, however, when I watch Fei’s work, I find it to be uplifiting and hopeful. He uses technology in a way that showcases its beauty.

Touch Designer