Reframe: Experimental Technology and the Moving Image

Even amidst the constant technological advances and ubiquity of digital tools in our era, there has been a decline in digital literacy. This is partly because the proliferation of user-friendly interfaces and proprietary software often obscures the computational infrastructure that undergirds these programs, eroding public understanding of how we can have agency in shaping our digital future. 

Showcasing the work of two artists, Libby Heaney and Laura Splan, this program aims to confront the growing gap between widespread use of digital tools and a genuine literacy and understanding of it. Reframe presents an alternative vision for our future, in which art is both an instrument for dialogue and a catalyst for critical engagement with computational tools. Through their work, Heaney and Splan demonstrate how artists can subvert and demystify complex technologies.  

By supporting the creation of new works and facilitating public engagement, Reframe strives to foster a future where the fabric of our computational world is woven by many hands, reflecting diverse perspectives rather than being dictated by opaque systems and concentrated power. 

The program will kick off with a Zoom conversation on April 3 at 12:00 p.m., featuring Libby Heaney, Laura Splan, and Regina Harsanyi, Associate Curator of Media Arts. This initial dialogue will set the stage for the themes explored in the performances and offer insight into the curatorial vision behind Reframe. 

Performances:

Eat My Multiverse – April 11

Cryptic Lineages – June 13

Following each performance, the respective artist will engage in a one-on-one conversation with a leading authority in their chosen field, deepening the discussion around the work’s subject matter.

Workshops led by each artist will be held during the week of their performances, providing participants with hands-on opportunities to expand public digital literacy.