retro-
spectives
Or; A survey of experiences, observations & reflections collected from two weeks of living without digital devices.
For my degree project I chose the topic "analog devices" because of my personal interest in the analog (aka film cameras, "vintage" stuff, etc.). With this as a starting point, I questioned why people are increasingly attracted to the analog in the digital age. Instead of looking at analog devices as just nostalgic objects, I wanted to explore its various qualities - such as the “human touch”, finding perfection in imperfection, or its tactile tangibility.
To further understand such a position in a digital environment, I went on a 2-week experiment where I lived without my mobile phone, laptop and iPod. The observations I made in these 2 weeks have been translated into a series of handmade artists’ books - the most analog of mediums - where the book form & structure itself encapsulates my experience.
1. Book 1: On News / 2. Book 2: My New Clock is Ticking Very Loudly / 3. Book 0: Whatsapp Reactions / 4. Book 13: On Writing / 5. Book 10: Proust’s Jukebox / 6. Book 14: The Infinite Scroll /
7. Book 8: Love Letters / 8. Book 3: Waiting, Watching / 9. Book 7: Walden/City Trees
Book 0: Whatsapp Reactions
Day 0, 25 March 2014
Snippets of reactions to my announcement that I would be on hiatus from all digital devices and communication. The only way to contact me is via landline or at my address.
Jacob’s Ladder / Inkjet prints, rubber stamps
Book 1: On News
Sewn accordion / Handmade paper pulped from MH370 articles, thread, typewriter
Day 1, 26 March 2014
The MH370 incident occurred just before this 2-week hiatus from digital devices. Hearing my family talk about the latest news today made me think about how the spread of news has changed with the invention of social media. It has made news faster and more available, but it’s also fertile ground for fake news and hoaxes.
The MH370 incident occurred just before this 2-week hiatus from digital devices. Hearing my family talk about the latest news today made me think about how the spread of news has changed with the invention of social media. It has made news faster and more available, but it’s also fertile ground for fake news and hoaxes.
It starts with one true source, then gets diluted and contaminated as it spreads. There are countless fake MH370 leads going around on social media, and you never know what to believe.
They say print is dead, but when it comes to credible, reliable news... It seems that in print we still trust.
Sewn accordion / Handmade paper pulped from MH370 articles, thread, typewriter
Book 2: My New Clock Is Ticking Very Loudly
Day 2, 27 March 2014
...in the newfound silence of my room.
Nested accordion / Clocks, typewriter
Book 3: Waiting, Watching
Day 3, 28 March 2014, 12:34PM
Waiting for my mom to finish her lunch. Usually I would’ve been on my phone by now.
But now I’m forced to wait. It’s like having to wait for the tea to brew.
Waiting for my mom to finish her lunch. Usually I would’ve been on my phone by now.
But now I’m forced to wait. It’s like having to wait for the tea to brew.
It’s actually quite peaceful. Well, the longer the wait, the stronger the brew. And I like my tea strong.
Coptic stitch / Clay, tea-dipped pages, typewriter
Book 7: Walden/City Trees
Day 7, 1 April 2014
5.45PM
Set off on a walk along the river park near my place.
5.45PM
Set off on a walk along the river park near my place.
6.15PM
A man cycles by, singing loudly to the unseen soundtrack in his head.
A man cycles by, singing loudly to the unseen soundtrack in his head.
I realise why my project has been so pastoral and romantic. The common denominator between nature & analog devices is the way time seemingly stands still. The way time doesn’t seem to affect the trees, the foliage, the hardy typewriter.
Also: the realisation that in jogging & cycling - kinesthaetic movement - Man seems unencumbered by digital devices. Those who jog with their earpieces inevitably throw them off when sweat starts to trickle into their ears.
Excerpts from Walden by Henry David Thoreau & City Trees by Edna St.Vincent Millay
Accordion/stab-stitch combination / Bamboo, typewriter on leaves
Book 8: Love Letters
Day 8, 2 April 2014, 11:46AM
A classmate was looking for me when I was not in class. She left me a note on a long piece of cardboard.
(When was the last time someone passed notes to me???)
A classmate was looking for me when I was not in class. She left me a note on a long piece of cardboard.
(When was the last time someone passed notes to me???)
When I found her, she asked, “Did you get my love letter?”
(When was the last time someone wrote me a letter???)
(When was the last time someone wrote me a letter???)
Long stitch / Cardboard pieces
Book 10: Proust's Jukebox
Day 10, 4 April 2014, 10:18PM
Suddenly remembered those wall-mounted jukeboxes in food courts after seeing the Pawn Stars commercial. Suddenly flooded with memories from 10 years ago, when I’d relish the opportunity to put in that 10c coin and choose my favourite song.
Suddenly remembered those wall-mounted jukeboxes in food courts after seeing the Pawn Stars commercial. Suddenly flooded with memories from 10 years ago, when I’d relish the opportunity to put in that 10c coin and choose my favourite song.
It’s almost like Proust’s Madeleine encounter.
Excerpt from In Search Of Lost Time by Marcel Proust
Piano hinge / Linocut prints, typewriter
Book 13: On Writing
Day 13, 7 April 2014, 1:49PM
Found a long inspiring passage in a big, heavy library book. No phone to snap a picture of it. No laptop to type it down. No cashcard to make photocopies.
Found a long inspiring passage in a big, heavy library book. No phone to snap a picture of it. No laptop to type it down. No cashcard to make photocopies.
Copied the whole darn thing in my sketchbook. Haven’t written so much in one go in a long, long time.
Hand hurts.
Excerpt from Poetry And The Fate Of The Senses by Susan Stewart
Coptic/long stitch combination / Acrylic, translucent paper, indian ink
Book 14: The Infinite Scroll
Day 14, 8 April 2014, 4:35PM
On the train.
The boy next to me is browsing FB.
He falls asleep.
Awakes. Picks up where he left off.
Repeat from top.
He falls asleep.
Awakes. Picks up where he left off.
Repeat from top.
Scroll / Wooden rods & beads, PVC sheet, typewriter
To find out more about the research that led to this project, click here.
