ABOUT
This project explores the adverse effects of the continuous bombardment of information on the internet.
Information that is manipulated by algorithms to suit our taste.
Information that polarizes our views and makes us stubborn and taking ill-informed actions.
Information that brings confusion and no clarity.
Information that prevents us from living in a shared reality*.
In this project, I searched for answers to four basic questions about the virus that has been radically changing our day-to-day lives for months: What is the virus's origin? How is the virus transmitted? What precautions can be taken to prevent the virus? And, what is the cure for the virus?
I collected answers from social media such as Instagram, Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter and articles published online, such as WHO, Scroll.in, CDC, Indcicov.in and Resmed. I went through forwarded WhatsApp messages that were answering the four questions. I also took audio interviews with people and gathered answers through Google forms. The list of sources sits here. The limitation of the number of sources (from where the information is retrieved) is rather strength to the project.
The videos that make up this project are an archival reinterpretation of the material I collected.
After converting relevant pieces of information to audio clips, I made three videos with a black screen, multiple voice-over, and subtitles. The snippets of recordings play haphazardly and vigorously one after the other. The intent was to represent the confusion, the lack of clarity and the diversity of information that we (as users) continuously gather.
How is the archival form reinterpreted?
This is NOT a traditional archive.
Each video is a repository of (recent) historical information gathered and put together to present and make available for the future.
BUT The difference lies in the fact that the work does not categorize and arrange the information for easy accessibility. Instead, it is presented in a way that heightens the element of confusion by trimming and placing the audio clips chaotically to fit the project's purpose.
Why is the limited number of sources - a strength?
These are just three videos, four questions, just a few minutes of answers, barely 100 sources.
Imagine what happens as you scroll for minutes and hours – every day – on multiple applications – answering a billion questions – with a billion answers for each – each answer screaming in full conviction. IMAGINE.
*Shared reality
Lack of shared reality – a term borrowed from the documentary – The Social Dilemma (2020)
Note that I made this project as a part of a college course and we (students) presented our projects together online under the exhibition called: Datalands
To know more about Datalands and check out everyone's projects' - Click here