At the highest level, my artmaking explores 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 in order to pose questions about our culture’s promotion of a technocratic life. In creating these works I aim to upend algorithmically-enforced responses, and instead encourage moments of reflection and introspection.
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 visual art which differentiates us from the machine, the artificial and virtual becomes embodied and relatable.
Aesthetically, I enjoy the contrast of these computational techniques with primitive shapes and traditional processes. Using slow, low-tech processes like etching, papermaking, screenprinting, and natural dyeing alongside computer-controlled ones is intentional. There is an irrefutable relatability of marks made by hand. I am interested in striking a balance between computational aids and manual work in order to relate our handmade past to our technologic future, and to preserve hand crafts by advancing them through partnership with new techniques.