Artist Statement (work from 2006 to 2008)
In our contemporary world, mosaics are not just ceramics, stone, and glass,
it is they are also digital. In some respects, the meaning of mosaic has changed
over time. Mosaic used to be a technique to reveal design and imagery, yet
the idea of the digital mosaic in contemporary society is used almost in an
opposite manner. It is used to obscure nudity, obscene gesture or identity.
I am intrigued by the contrast of its subtext in the Roman era and contemporary
society, and it has inspired me to create this body of work.
As the Romans created mosaics of daily-life scenes such as hunting, dining,
and sports scenes, I am also creating mosaics of our daily-life scenes, in
this case, specifically online activity. Online activity has become a large
part of our lives. We get on the internet regularly. Many of us probably have
more than couple of alternative online identities to blog, to shop, to pay
bills, maybe to meet people, but we rarely disclose our real names.
The current phenomena of 'My Space' and 'Flickr' reminds us of our strong
desire to reach people, yet we are fearful of revealing our identity. By pixilation
and abstraction of the portrait, my work visually expresses the anonymity.