Oliver Young

MEDIATING THE VIRTUAL

 

It is no secret that evolving image culture, driven by technological progress, has affected the manner in which we interact not only with each other but also with ourselves. As a departure from today’s digitisation, the virtual realm proposes new challenges to existing theories of identity and consumption; as such it seems necessary to understand its resulting implications while highlighting the importance of becoming increasingly visually literate.

On the one hand, increased image exposure has aided our human quest for immediacy, founded on a deep-rooted desire to move towards a sense of presence. On the other hand, the extent of our exposure does not necessarily correlate with our ability - as consumers - to decipher that which is intended. Ultimately, it appears that technology and mass culture are conspiring together to flaw ourselves.

As consumers of image culture, our behavior warrants the questions: How does changing mediation function to influence our identity? Who are we without this technology? What exactly are we chasing? Will we ever be content?

 

SECTOR B

THESIS ADVISORS:

Tanya Jung (VLST)Tawrin Baker (VLST)