Description of Work

Behind the screen - 2022 - Video, Projection - Not For Sale

Artist's Statement

“Behind the Screen” breaks down the walls of teen and young adult women’s social media usage. Apps, like Instagram, can alter one’s perception of their reality and negatively affect their day-to-day life. Research has shown spending more than a few hours on a smartphone correlated negatively with self-reported happiness and self-esteem. “Behind the Screen” highlights these feelings through interviews I have conducted with women in high school, college, and adulthood.

How can an app trigger this many negative emotions? Listening to personal experiences can give younger audiences a perspective to be honest and truthful with themselves online that they may not grasp if they’re always on their phone. Social media is never going to disappear but acknowledging these experiences can bring a better understanding of these emotions. If we keep putting a façade of “my life is better than yours,” then it is going to continue to impact others.

“Behind the Screen” reevaluates the emotional impact of social media and how it is being used. Is it benefitting the life of others or is it altering one’s appearance of themselves? Visitors are encouraged to step into the projection to put themselves into social media and leave it with a new perspective.

If you wish to purchase any of these pieces, please contact the gallery director, Jacqueline Nathan (jnathan@bgsu.edu.)