[ISEA2017] Artists Statement: Glenda Drew, Jesse Drew & Spencer Mathews — PixelDust

Artists Statement 

Screening/’Media Art’ Piece

In a world increasingly threatened by erosion of civil rights, environmental destruction and economic disparity, PIXELDUST presents a visual/aural display of hope, faith and resoluteness through short autobiographical texts and visual portraits from inspirational figures in world history. Participants approach a shrine/altar that triggers a visual dust storm of pixels that rise from the bottom of the screen. While the ‘pixeldust’ swirls, an autobiographical statement is heard/displayed from an unknown person, taken from a position of hopelessness, despair or fear expressed in that person’s life. As the voice/text ends, the pixels assemble and reveal the person’s identity, easily recognizable figures who clearly overcame their weaknesses and made substantial contributions to our world. PIXELDUST is designed to be an “engine” built to accept public contributions of inspirational figures from all points of the world. It is designed to be a public display resource to console and give hope to people around the world who fight for peace and social justice.

  • Glenda Drew, Jesse Drew & Spencer Mathews, USA