{"id":62746,"date":"2018-02-14T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2018-02-14T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/foxtail\/2018\/02\/14\/jillian-mayer-makes-art-post-screen-era\/"},"modified":"2018-02-14T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2018-02-14T00:00:00","slug":"jillian-mayer-makes-art-post-screen-era","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.mozilla.org\/en\/firefox\/jillian-mayer-makes-art-post-screen-era\/","title":{"rendered":"Jillian Mayer makes art for the post-screen era"},"content":{"rendered":"

Jillian Mayer\u2019s<\/a> work explores the collapsing universe between IRL and URL, a world where our data and devices are increasingly part of our physical being. \u201cTechnology and our tools shape us,\u201d says Mayer. Her sculpture series, Slumpies<\/a><\/em>, is inspired by the new, and sometimes weird, shapes that our bodies take on when we use our phones. We slouch, we lean back, we throw our arms out for selfies. We know we look ridiculous. We can\u2019t imagine a time, now, when it wasn\u2019t like this. We talked to Mayer about surviving Oregon Trail<\/a>, hoverboards, and finding private refuge online.<\/p>\n

Do you remember your first experience on a computer or the internet?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Not exactly, but I do have memories of dying many times of typhoid fever in Oregon Trail<\/a>.<\/p>\n

My computer in my bedroom did get internet access in 1997. I kept the computer and the keyboard on the floor on the side of my bed, which positioned it as the farthest thing from my bedroom door. While some people place their computers on desks, I felt like mine was in a cave. It was from this cave that I pretended to be everyone I\u2019m not.<\/p>\n

All of your art projects deal with technology in some form. What drives this fascination?<\/strong> <\/p>\n

I have a keen interest in communication (and control). Technology and our tools shape us, there is no denying that. We innovate to problem solve, to entertain, and to bridge. My fascination lies in see what humans can and will do while here. <\/p>\n

Over the course of the past year, there\u2019s been a reckoning with technology: how it\u2019s rewiring us, how it\u2019s perpetuating bias, how it\u2019s disrupting public discourse. Do you feel like it\u2019s more important now to interrogate technology, especially within your own work?<\/strong> <\/p>\n

Of course I think it is key to interrogate all new tools which offer enhancement to our civilization.<\/p>\n

I remember when text messaging was a new thing and people were wondering if it was going to catch on. I felt that was a ridiculous notion to even consider because people love to communicate. If you provide a new way to communicate, and it\u2019s decent (or better), people will use it. <\/p>\n

I have a body of artwork called Slumpies<\/a><\/em>. They are sculptures that are designed for the public person who enjoys looking at their cell phone or tablet, and would also like to engage with art.
\nThat being said, I think there is comedic or perverse way to point towards our shifts (and distractions) with new tech. We know we look ridiculous when we are in a full on phone call with headphones that are wireless, rolling down the street with hoverboards, or vaping. But humans are ridiculous. And if you are really thinking about integrating with technology, most of my favorite adults have metal pieces in them which are keeping them alive.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

You released an anti-surveillance makeup tutorial<\/a> in 2013, way before the ubiquity of facial recognition technology, iPhone X, snapchat filters. What made you want to pursue that topic? Did you know how critical (or actually even weirdly practical) it would be?<\/strong> <\/p>\n

When I first became aware that people were able to hack others\u2019 computer cameras, that\u2019s when I knew that things were going to get crazy. I take this position that if you can think of something, someone else is already doing it and has your password.Things that I considered speculative sci fi were already happening, but people were not aware. <\/p>\n

For me, the Internet feels like the last Wild West (up to this date). It\u2019s the only place (I know of) where you can sort of, log in, code something- and you are that person with some (virtual) property. <\/p>\n

So yes, biometrics can be used in the obvious (and complicated) neo-capitalist ways that feed consumer sensibilities (ie. your heart races when you see the shoes you want online, and then are inundated with said shoes on various commercial websites), but it can also tell you if Grandma\u2019s heart rate is sending her into cardiac arrest and simultaneously calling an ambulance. So, I take this position that new technology is great and exciting. But, commercial companies (or those that garner your data for exploitative ways) are usually the groups with the most money to control how it is used. So, that\u2019s complicated.<\/p>\n

Of course there is an inherent darkness or fear that comes with normal people engaging in an advanced network controlled by intelligent technologist and coders (and or evil doers), but I also feel that that is why it is so interesting. It is the frontier of data and people are writing it as they go, until\u2026\u2026.. AI rewrites it :0)<\/p>\n

All that being said, I hope the new sincerity is coming (back (and or)\/again). <\/p>\n

If you have secrets and make enemies, the internet will likely find out. <\/p>\n

So, try and be honest.<\/p>\n

Good luck!<\/p>\n