The Smart Mirror: An Interface of Data and Identity

Video name：A Portrait in Data

#Interactive Sensor-Based Installations
#New Media Art
#Coding Art

#Experimental Video Art
#Philosophical Art
#Coding Music

This project explores how data, as an interface, actively shapes identity through continuous interaction with individuals. Drawing on Karen Barad’s theory of agential realism, the work examines how data generates new dimensions of self-perception and identity labels. In the digital age, data is no longer a passive observer but an active participant, transforming how individuals understand and construct their identities.

Through a smart mirror installation, audiences directly experience the influence of data on identity. When viewers approach the mirror or cover the sensor with their hand within a certain range, the rolling dynamic patterns stop, and a new identity is algorithmically assigned to the individual. All patterns and identity IDs are randomly generated. The meaning of the new identity is left to the audience’s interpretation, encouraging introspection. This dynamic interaction highlights how external forces, such as data and digital technologies, continuously reconstruct our self-perception in unexpected ways.

In addition to the installation, a conceptual video complements the work with a programme-generated visual composition accompanied by a soundtrack created through programming. The video includes a reflective monologue that delves into the philosophical implications of identity in a data-driven society. The interplay of visuals, sound, and narrative invites deeper contemplation of how data and algorithms mediate individuality and autonomy.

By combining sensory interaction, algorithmic visuals, and narrative storytelling, the project emphasises the fluidity of identity in a world shaped by data. It challenges viewers to reflect on the pervasive role of data in shaping free will and self-expression in modern life.

Yanzhen Li (Zivia Li)

The Smart Mirror: An Interface of Data and Identity

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