Particling Night: The Design of an Emerging Media Artwork as a Tool for Reflection on Superficiality of Social Media

Abstract

This study explores the potential of interactive media art to promote reflection on ourselves living in social networks. The prevalence of social media platforms has increased our social connections, yet research suggests a rise in loneliness and isolation. We created an interactive media artwork using speech-to-text technology and generative visualization to reflect on the meaning of relationships in the age of digitized human connections as well as the superficiality of social media networks we developed. User surveys and observations revealed that our artwork helped our audience to have reflection through artistic experiences. The findings suggest that multi-modal art experiences and embodied design components can provide better opportunities for one’s reflection process. This study can contribute to the design and evaluation of future emerging media artworks that can support individuals’ reflection process on various humane issues caused by emerging technology.