What do we, as a generation, chase for on our day to day? What do we struggle with as young adults? For this project, I want to create 4 multimedia projects that revolve around the cyclical nature of chasing social status, job titles, entertainment, pleasure, material, time, love, freedom, and establishment.
Each featured project will demonstrate a struggle of most young adults, conveying a sense of hopelessness, isolation, lack of guidance, and reaching. Each project will incentivize the user to continue interacting with the project to further their exploration. The viewer’s goal is to find purpose/place within the project.
Component 1: Live to Work
The piece, titled “Live to Work”, is a commentary on the unhealthy and highly competitive workforce placed into the laps of young adults. The seemingly impossible standards for employment, draining work culture, and stacked progression system discourage the youth from achieving their financial goals or their dream jobs. This piece, constructed from an old office printer, has been repurposed into a machine to convey a message. The printer is decorated with infographic style graphics which elaborate further into the heavily weighing reality of the work force and hiring world as of the current moment. The loop of paper that endlessly prints from the printer imitates the modern youth worker tirelessly putting in effort with seemingly no end. Printed on the paper is a work of writing that educates the reader on the pressure felt by the youth while instilling confusing and discouraging feelings. The viewer is encouraged to take away what they feel from the piece, whether there is hope or and endless cycle of servitude with no reward.
Component 2: One More Try
The piece, titled “One More Try”, is a commentary on the dangerous and harmful self inflicted world of dating and sexual pleasure. The physical dangers of casual sex, mental dangers of dating around, and potential for physical, mental, and financial harm from online dating weigh heavily on this generation of young adults. This piece, fabricated from an old paper towel dispenser, provides the viewer for a means to clean up their mess from their “night of fun”. The dispenser is adorned with shameful and unsettling graphics meant to educate the user on the dangers of their habits. On each of the dispensed pieces of paper are instructions for how and where the towel should be used. The most common being the towel for a bar makeout, an online app hookup, and the dating around mishaps. The viewer is encouraged to take away what they feel from the piece, whether there is hope for love or an endless cycle of meaningless pleasure.
Component 3: Learn to Love
The piece, titled “Learn to Love”, is a commentary on the misrepresented and challenging task of finding a life long partner. The struggle between idealism and reality, the peer pressure from others, and the stress of financial constraints all burden young adults looking to find love. This piece, constructed by a rectangular box, provides a lesson to the viewer on a core necessity of a relationship. The outside of the box is decorated with instructions on how to use the machine and common problems for young adults seeking love. On the inside of the box exists a series of custom electronics designed to educate the viewer on providing attention to their partner. If the viewer follows the directions they will gaze into the eye of the machine. This will allow to heart to start pumping. If the viewer decides to take their attention elsewhere, the heart will cease to pump and the love will die. The viewer is encouraged to take away what they feel from the piece, and if they understand the attention and dedication a healthy long lasting relationship requires.
The Exhibition Book
Project Vision Video
Project Process Book
