How many times have you told your friends to “text, don’t call”? How often do you stumble into a concert, restaurant or other social setting only to find that almost everyone is on their phone, obsessively documenting each and every moment, but not once setting them down to look someone in the eye?
Fourth-year performing arts student Jorge Bolanos explores those ideas and “the human tendency to connect by moving further away,” in his senior exhibition show “techno(logical) / dis(connections)” May 11 at the Ashmore Gallery.
“Technology is trying to get us to be personal with everyone in our lives,” said Bolanos. “But yet because of that, we’re less personal with everyone—especially the ones who matter the most.”
“techno(logical) / dis(connections)” will feature six interactive performance art pieces that communicate metaphorical messages about how the human condition has been affected by technological advances. Bolanos made the conscious decision for the 12 artists to perform on a loop, rather than one after the other, as commentary for our generation’s collective short attention span and need for instant gratification.
Bolanos explained that a lot of the scenes he directed are “a little absurd in a way,” though rightfully so.
“These things happen every single day,” he said. “Why are we so normalized to this?”
Viewers will be able to interact and participate with most of the art, including taking a survey with the distractions of white-noise technology buzzing around the room, as well as a piece that explores the lost art of postal mail.
Bolanos’ favorite piece will feature performing arts student Dylan Good and third-year sound design student Adam Garner with plugs coming out their backs that are connected to outlets on opposing walls. The two walk toward a dinner table for an intimate meal, but when they reach a certain distance, they unplug—removing them completely from the present situation.
Bolanos said the reasoning behind the interactive aspect was to get people to do more than “just think” about this topic. “I want them to experience it, to feel their involvement in this.”
But, even with a strong standpoint against technology, Bolanos admitted to using the Internet for his upcoming show. He made a Facebook group for the artists and an event page to promote the exhibition.
“I was really confused,” he said. “I’m making a show about technology but I used technology to get the word out there. I’m like, ‘What am I doing?’”
Fourth-year performing arts student Kamille Dawkins, a participant in the show, said that while there are hindrances to humanity because of technology, there are also benefits that come with it — it all comes down to each individual using wisdom and compassion when it comes to our growing technological world.
“Technology isn’t going anywhere,” she said. “So we’ve got to use it for good.”
View “techno(logical) / dis(connections)” at the Ashmore Gallery at 412 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. May 11 from 8 p.m. – 12 a.m.
