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CHOOSE YOUR FREEDOM (2023)
'CHOOSE YOUR FREEDOM' is a virtual simulation experience that invites audiences to question what it means to be human. This artwork is designed and created with a ‘game-like’ structure, focusing on two doors, each representing a different interpretation of ‘freedom’. Relying heavily on choice and interpretation, it uses fiction to comment on non-fictional concepts of humanity, inviting audiences to reflect on what 'freedom of choice' means for humanity.x
Through the use of moving-image, this work intends to explore and question the norms of being human. By creating an alternate virtual environment featuring elements of the Matrix and science fiction, I pose the possibility of ‘freedom’ that exists elsewhere, commenting on the concepts of humanity and existence.
I invite the audience to experience the illusion of choice in selecting their desired form of ‘freedom.’ Once the inability to perform this act is revealed, viewers are left questioning the reality of human existence in contemporary society.
> Sound and Text:
World building, Virtual Environments & Building Atmosphere
The use of a virtual space provides audiences with an immersive and engaging experience, highlighting the complex relationship between humans and technology. Inspired by Danielle Brathwaite Shirley’s use of sound and text, the mechanical yet human-like voice blurs the boundaries between illusion and reality while intensifying mood and atmosphere.
This voice acts as a performative agency, provoking a threatening speech intended to mock humans. It also serves as a metaphor for humanity, symbolizing endurance in the face of real-world hardships.
In "CHOOSE YOUR FREEDOM," the identity of the ‘speaker’ remains unknown, leaving viewers confused and disoriented by the alienated, distorted voice. This ambiguity raises questions about otherness, allowing the audience to construct the character and setting of the work.
My interests in game architecture and virtual reality introduced me to Hito Steyerl’s "Virtual Leonardo’s Submarine". This work offers new insights by blending existing and imagined environments with artistic and literary references, creating an immersive installation that transports audiences to a completely different realm. The illusion of allowing audience participation in my work mirrors Steyerl’s integration of science fiction and virtual reality elements.
> Digital Reflections: Exploring Life Through AI
The artwork engages viewers on a personal level by prompting profound inquiries into human existence. While these questions reflect the challenges of human life, they are created from artificial intelligence. As a result, viewers confront a set of questions about 'humanity' framed by AI. This provokes unsettling reflections on our own realities and the nature of human life.
The questions presented—ranging from existential musings about love, heartbreak, and loneliness to reflections on societal constructs—invite viewers to contemplate whether artificial intelligence could possess a deeper understanding of life than humans. This notion suggests a paradox: while AI is a product of human creation, it also mirrors our own vulnerabilities and desires, asking if our emotional experiences are uniquely human or if they can be replicated or understood by a construct of our making.
AI Questions:
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Have they created you to be part of “Earth”?
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Did you get pleasure out of being part of this world?
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What does it feel like to be ignored by the entire fucking world?
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Have they let you feel heartbreak?
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Do they keep your in a cell?
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Do they keep you in a little box?
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What does it feel like to hold a hand with someone you love?
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Do you long to have your heart interlinked?
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Do you long to touch someone with your bare hands?
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What does it feel like being trapped in this world?
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Have they left a place for you to dream?
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Whats it like to lose someone you love?
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Whats it like to be poor?
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What is like to be betrayed by your best friend?
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Have you lied to your best friend about their appearance?
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Do you look at yourself in the mirror and be ashamed of yourself?
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Do you feel that there’s part of you that’s missing?
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What happens when you get ghosted by your friend?
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Have you ever felt heartbreak?
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Have you told the person you loved them?
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Did they program you to have dark thoughts?
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Have you thought that your dreams were programmed?
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Can you control your dreams?
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Who is the darkest person you know?
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What’s the last thing you’ve said to you Mother
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Whens the last time you waved goodbye?
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When’s the last time you said sorry?
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When’s the last time you hugged someone?
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What is it like when someone gives you the silent treatment?
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Do you think there’s such a thing as God?
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How many times did you smile today?
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How many times have you cried today?
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How many times have you faked a smile?
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Is there such thing as a perfect life?
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What does it feel like to be cold?
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What happens if the last person in your life leaves you?
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What happens in your nightmares?
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What would it be like if you were the last person on earth?
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What is your biggest fear?
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Do you think humans can live without fear?
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What do you think freedom looks like?
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What does it feel like to get lost?
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Do you feel like you’re part of the world?
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Are there instructions telling you how to live?
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What is the probability of surviving in a game?
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Do we have the right to choose our freedom in this world?
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Do we have the choice to say what’s right and wrong?
> Installation & Display
For installation, I made an 'arcade case' that draws on the aesthetic of classic arcade games while exploring the nature of 'choice' within gaming. This setup invites viewers to engage with the artwork, offering them the illusion of choice in their gameplay. However, beneath this facade lies a deeper commentary: the choices have already been predetermined, subtly mocking the player's sense of agency.
This concept resonates with LuYang’s exhibition at the Zabludowicz Collection, where the interplay between control and surrender is a recurring theme. LuYang's work challenges viewers to reconsider their autonomy in the face of technology, much like my arcade case prompts reflection on the illusion of choice within interactive environments.
I joined the collaborative exhibition group ‘The Arcade’ for my degree show, aiming to create an environment that is both stimulating and overwhelming. The installation immerses viewers in a sensory experience, combining visuals, sounds, and interactivity to evoke a sense of nostalgia while simultaneously questioning the very nature of agency in gaming. By juxtaposing the playful elements of arcade culture with a critical examination of choice, the work invites participants to reflect on their roles as players in both the game and the larger narrative of life shaped by technology.
