Nurturing the Pixel

Columbia College Chicago MFA Exhibition – May 2022

Nurturing the Pixel is an immersive installation composed of performance, prints, and pen plotter drawings that materializes the loneliness perpetuated by society’s dependence on online communication. Social isolation can increase when connections are made entirely through the internet. Online interactions, especially social media, often fail those seeking intimate human trust and connection. Covid further intensified the situation to where it has become a crisis during a global phenomenon.

In the performances during the exhibition, I become S.A.M. – a human powered drawing robot. Using a state-of-the-art control arm equipped with MI (mechanical intelligence), audience members operate S.A.M. to draw portraits of people who are important in their lives, but that they primarily interact with online. The interaction between participant and S.A.M. results in an absurd moment of human connection, as well as a drawing. These drawings, imperfect evidence of those brief moments of human engagement, are then documented by a computer powered drawing robot and hand printing, exemplifying the push and pull dynamics of human relationships with digital technology.

Thesis installation, May 2022
Pen plotter drawings on an 8′ scroll. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Pen plotter detail – watercolor pens with Sumi Ink on Gampi paper. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Drypoint print on an 8′ scroll. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Detail of the drypoint print. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Performance table and chrome wearables as sculpture. Photo courtesy of the artist.
Mid-performance during the thesis reception. Photo courtesy of Natasha Moustache.
Live performance during the thesis reception. Photo courtesy of Natasha Moustache.
End of the performance error card. Photo courtesy of Natasha Moustache.