Artist and Curator: An Exploration of the Impact of Digital Media in Museums Through Media Art, Surveillance, and Selfies

Abstract

Artist and Curator: An Exploration of the Impact of Digital Media in Museums Through Media Art, Surveillance, and Selfies is the accompanying exhibition catalogue to the Movement Series installation presented by me, Jenna Poczik at the Smith Warehouse at Duke University in late April and early May of 2017. In this exhibition, I act as both artist and curator, creating the new media works presented while also stepping away and applying a theoretical/critical curatorial response throughout this text. I begin with an introduction and artist statement, outlining my goals for the experiment, exploring themes that are present in the art world today, and intertwining critical theories in visual studies. Working in a non-linear manner, I look at media in museums, the connections between art and surveillance, and selfies in relation to self-portraiture. In particular, this work focuses on a larger notion of the self. Through this, I aim to explore ways in which the presence of digital media in the art world impacts various aspects of art including what types of work are presented and how visitors consume it. In addition to the videos projected on multiple walls, the gallery space will contain mirrors and signage that prompts visitors to take and share a selfie. This call to action is the final piece of the project, promoting direct engagement and creating a database of the images that are collected throughout.