At the highest level, I am interested in our societal and individual relationship with technology. In particular, I observe how algorithms can be used to impose anticipated behaviors upon us without our knowledge or consent. Many of my works dissemble machine learning models as a way to pose questions about our culture’s promotion of a technocratic life. In creating these works I aim to upend algorithmically-enforced responses, by using them to encourage moments of reflection. At the same time, I am also interested in the powerful ability these models have to teach us about ourselves through pure aggregation of information.
By using machine learning techniques to create these works I can manifest a lens through which to peek at the innards of a model’s “latent space”. Latent space is simply a transformation of data only the model understands; its dimensions may be meaningless to us. These spaces interest me because, by experiencing them through art, which differentiates us from the machine, the artificial becomes relatable.
I enjoy the contrast of these computational techniques with primitive, intuitive shapes. Using slow, low-tech processes like etching and papermaking alongside computer-controlled ones is intentional. I am looking for printmaking’s way forward which relates our technologic past to our future. It is important to me to preserve these handicrafts by advancing them through partnership with new techniques.