Technological progress continues to accelerate at an unprecedented rate. The smartphone phenomenon has dramatically changed the way we communicate. We choose abbreviated, thumb-typed messages over the sound of human voices. We continue to document our surroundings at every step, instead of enjoying the moment presented. We create our own narratives of an idyllic life, waiting for approval and appreciation from our “friends” on social media.
These shifts in personal communication are both exhilarating and anxiety inducing. How do we prepare for the rapid changes in the way we relate? How will we navigate human-to-human connections in the future? Will technology become a part of us?
The artists in this exhibition aim to bring to light the struggle between the positive and negative impacts of technology and its impact on our relationships and interactions. Julie Epp and Darby Arens question what role technology may have in our future, and how it may affect us physically and mentally. Kendra Schellenberg and Rachel Sellinger re-imagine how we see ourselves and the world around us, considering the genres of landscape and portraiture in a digitally-obsessed world. Carly Butler Verheyen compares the communication of the past with the communication of today, and Mallory Donen examines the relationship between the artist and computer as technology continues to push the boundaries creative possibility. Whether we like it or not, technology has become deeply rooted in our everyday lives. This exhibition demonstrates that we must continue to participate in the technological debate and be aware of how it may impact our future.
