Panel Statement
Panel: Emotion Studies in a Contemporary Art Debate
As part of my creative research, I have been investigating emotional interfaces, tactile methods traditionally associated with women’ work and the intersection of the social experience and technology. Garments integrate electronics seamlessly into the social experiment and create a corporeal computing experience. I am currently an MFA student at the University of Denver in the Electronic Media Arts and Design program. I have created an Instructables.?com tutorial on how to construct an emoticon jacket with LCD screen. The focus of the jacket, intraInter socialite, is to create subtexts for interpersonal human interaction. The user uses a limited “keyboard” with force sensors and buttons under soft silicone keys to create computer textual subtitles to human interaction (textual emoticons, i.e. :P). My investigation with wearable computing, particularly with this project, is an inquiry into the loss of intonation and body language that occurs at the intersection of computers and textual communication is evident in today’s culture. In this application, the effort we put into replacing the nuances of personal communication with punctuation and textual cues in the virtual realm helps subtitle and enhance (or confuse) the conversation and interaction that occurs in the physical realm. It creates a range of implied emotion from the wearer. This also introduces an imprecise control over the emoticon displayed and the perception of the emoticon in the context of the interaction. The user has the ability to change the experience of the conver- sation when they attempt to control the level of emoticon displayed. They have the choice to display reactions that they may or may not choose to portray physically. This changes who has access to this form of communication. Textual punctuation becomes its own graphically and internationally interpreted language.
- Stransky Mallinger is a native of the greater Cleveland, Ohio area (US). Her Slovenian heritage is an important influence. It is responsible for her interest in tactile media, particularly mediums associated with “women’s work.” She is currently a MFA student at the University of Denver in the Electronic Media Arts and Design program. She completed her BFA with a concentration in Sculpture. The digital media program was in its inception and Kristin’s work electronic forms served as a guinea pig for a blossoming program. Kristin currently works in eTextiles, web content and video, all within the context of installation. Her interests include the potential conflict that exists between the personal/internal and the external spheres in which we all operate, social interaction, gender socialization and gendered cultural expectations.
Full text (PDF) p. 1627-1629