How do young people construct and perform identities
through digital media?
Kids
today are practically born typing, using the internet, watching tv… the list
goes on and on.
Digital media is shaping the identities of these younger generations, whether
they realize it or not. I believe that at this point in time, it can be understood that the idea
of identity has been taken over by social influences and the desire to make
advancements in everything that we do as a society. Due to these rapid
changes in society, the identities of these aspiring students or artists are becoming
less about themselves and more about what they experience through the media.
In
the article assigned to class, Courtney Bryant explains her observations of her
high schools’ animation class and the possibility of combining creative
problem-solving strategies with technical instruction. I appreciated the fact
that Bryant did not go on to discuss these ideas until fully defining what creativity
truly is. It is so crucial for teachers to understand that each student has
individual qualities that inspire their own direction of creativity- this
is the importance of identity. This article has helped me understand that it is
not the teachers’ learned technical skills that are most crucial, but the value
of creativity in self-expression. These students ended up enjoying their
projects because they got to explore their identities through open-ended
assignments, brainstorming tactics, symbolism, peer conversations, and constructive
critiques. All of these problem-solving strategies were done in creative ways
that helped students explore their identities while still using digital media.
I
feel the need to connect this article to my Art 122y online class due to the
fact that we recently discussed this idea of constructing and performing one’s identity.
I learned about Nancy Burson, an artist who explores identity through digital
media, in a unique way that has intrigued her fans for the past twenty years.
Burson has created a machine that digitally reconstructs peoples’ faces right
before their eyes, which allows not only the artist to express herself but also
the viewers. Instead of the usual analysis of a painting, this interactive
contemporary design idea allows viewers to literally try on various appearances
through the screen in front of them. Conceptually, she is encouraging others to
explore their identities by allowing them to see themselves as various races.
This artwork explores the identity of Bursons’ appreciation for diversity but
also approaches the exploration of identity with a digitally interactive
mindset.
I
have learned through these articles that constructing identity can be obtained
through so many different ways of art creation. These younger generations are
affected by our technological advancements greatly, but this does not have to
be a negative thing. Our culture is always shifting, but our identity’s do
remain unique to ourselves. It is how artists choose to explore their
identities, making their audiences interpret them for what they want to be
understood for.
Here’s the link to Nancy Burson’s “Human Race
Machine”- check it out!
Hi, Alex! Thank you for posting about Nancy Burson's "Human Race Machine"! This was my first time hearing about it and it really seems to be a thoughtful example of how concepts of art, identity, and interpretation come together. I love how you write, "These younger generations are affected by our technological advancements greatly, but this does not have to a negative thing." As an elementary teacher, I really struggled with the infiltration of technology into my teaching of literature. This discomfort stemmed from my observations of literature being used in the service of technology instead of the other way around where technology was a tool for deepening the literary experience children had with reading. It is encouraging to read about Burson's use of technology as a tool in service of art making and identity construction. I look forward to checking this out!
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