Clearly Distorted
This image demonstrates modern technology and its consumption through the use of symbolic glitches. The key message from this piece is found by analyzing how the colors reflect a ‘glitch’ in what we consider real life.
People become so consumed by their technology use that it effects their beliefs and perception of the real world. Having glitches in this image literally demonstrates technology’s distortion of how we perceive things.
Our use of software causes people to see much of the world through a screen. Showing a glitch demonstrates how this changed view of reality is affecting what we understand of the universe. Is the new “real world” one where glitches are decided for us by pieces of technology? Do we give power to technology by allowing its glitches to affect us?
The two key images in this piece are the man’s eyes and his controller. The focus on these shows his consumption of, and dedication to, technology and media. We see technology continuously develop, and our consumption of it increase with each invention, but is our attention ever drawn to how the glitches in a piece of technology are changing our life also? How, as we thrive in a world with the latest technological luxuries, we are also inheriting new glitches in our lives?
When a person sees a glitch it is oftentimes viewed as an error. However, glitches are passively accepted as a part of our daily lives. Sure glitches can be annoying, but they are what we understand as technology’s side affect. We accept technology, glitches and all, because it is key to how we live in the modern world.
Using a few secondary colors, we see how a glitch can override our full view of an image. This shows how, when we see things through the use of technology, there is a barrier to what we see.
The colors used also represent video games. Video games are notorious for having some of the most frustrating glitches. They are also an example of a common media we consume and a common technology that we use. The effect technology has on a person’s life and lifestyle differs between each person. Similarly, the difference in interpretation of how much the glitch in this image has truly affected it will differ between people.
Negative space in this image shows the space in our lives that technology has overridden, as has literally happened in this image. It is ironic to see a glitch in an image of someone using technology. When we focus on a glitched image, we see the way technology has distorted something. There are multiple different parts of the image, and parts of the man, that have been distorted by technology. Because of the glitch, this image gives us a clear understanding of technology and how our lives are affected by it.
