The rapid evolution of the internet and technology presents a new challenge - what happens when people fail to evolve with it? For We Cannot Escape delves into the intersection of race and technology, and exposes biases hidden within the code that we rely on so heavily. This project incorporates various mediums, including video, sculpture, and web, to fully explore the complex relationship between race and technology.
New technologies often exclude black and brown people from their designs, with a focus that is primarily white-centered. The Metaverse, which is supposed to be a place for community and utopian ideals, poses a question: what happens when we classify avatars based on factors such as race, gender, class, and more? When do these lines begin to blur into a familiar history that we should have learned from already?
In creating my character in Unreal Engine, I found myself limited to only one hairstyle: a curly fro displayed on my avatar. DON'T FORGET ABOUT US describes the frustration shared by many black users and gamers who find "unlimited" character creation unattainable. Often, we have to choose a skin color or hairstyle that doesn't represent who we truly are. This lack of choice in digital representation leads to users embodying certain traits in virtual spaces, leading to the inevitable erasure of the nuances of Blackness. Their presence in virtual spaces remains managed by a futures industry that does not envision Black people as primary users of technology.
MEDIA: Unreal Engine, Arduino, Thermal Printer, and Web-based media, Video
For the next phase of my project, I developed a thermal printer that displays phrases like "Are our perceptions of ourselves just projections of others?" and "Don't forget about us." The final part of the project focuses on a virtual world created specifically for Black and Brown individuals to gather and connect. Upon entering the space, the environment is intentionally dark, mirroring the feeling of isolation that many Black individuals experience online. The virtual space features 3D scans of myself, as well as an immersive soundscape created using VCV Rack.
As the user navigates the space, they are transported to a reflective and contemplative area that explores the intersections of technology and Afrofuturism. AI-generated artworks and videos are accessible through clickable prompts that correspond with the phrases displayed by the thermal printer. This space was intentionally designed as a safe haven for Black and Brown individuals to gather, reflect and find peace. Visitors to the site can leave notes and chat with others present within the virtual world.
