#AestheticaArchives: Into the Metaverse

5 Artists Look at our Digital Past, Present Future I     The idea of the “metaverse” is slippery and complex. It imagines a network of virtual three-dimensional spaces in which people can work, game and communicate. Yet this digital utopia comes with questions. How much time will we spend online? In what ways will it influence our real-world relationships? Will existing stereotypes and biases be reflected in the digital sphere? Here are five creatives whose works respond to – and use – emerging technologies.     Sculpture for Tomorrow: Six N. Five   Six N. Five design one-of-a-kind digital sculptures. Rust-orange shapes stand out against bright white cliffs. Pink sunsets reflect off smooth silver metal. Jet-black shapes emerge from still waters. These images settle the mind through magnetising simplicity, drawing us into glossy lakes and pearly skylines.   Learn more » Exposing Digital Bias: Mónica Alcázar-Duarte   Mónica Alcázar-Duarte’s searing work visualises the harmful relationship between real-world and online stereotypes, focusing on the experiences of over 100 Mexican women. It is based on intense research into search engines, whose algorithms are continuously learning from user input.    Learn more » Distorting Reality: Alex Lysakowski   Globally, Amazon operates more than 175 fulfillment centres. It is now entering the world of robots, with its Boston facilities producing 330,000 a year. Alex Lysakowski is a Canadian photographer exploring the real-world spaces associated with commerce. Through manipulation, he creates absurd scenes, stretching the exteriors of trucks, storage units and shipping containers.   Learn more » Virtual Nature: Mue Studio   Bodies of water are undeniably restorative, with their cognitive effects revered the world over. “Blue Mind” science has proven the health benefits – both physically and psychologically – of being close to oceans, rivers or even artificial beaches. Can “Blue Health” be maintained through imagery alone? Mue Studio specialises in “visual escapism” – realised through 3D image design.   Learn more » Visualising Life Online: Astrid Verhoef   Whilst Astrid Verhoef’s Urbanite series was started in 2010, its themes find continued relevance in today’s world. The works are playful and humorous, placing individuals and objects in surprising settings. In one shot, the simple computer mouse rises en masse against its user. It serves as a a neat metaphor for the worst-case scenarios imagined around AI.   Learn more »   Read the full feature »

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