A Tour Through Digital Space
WORK IN PROGRESS
WORK IN PROGRESS
In this work, I explore the smartphone as a space. Starting from the idea that when you're looking at your phone, you're no longer present in the physical space, I began to wonder: where are we, then?
I interviewed people about their experience of staring at a screen for a long time, and whether they could describe a kind of world they feel they enter in those moments. This led to a research project, installation, and performance in collaboration with Theater Kikker.
I interviewed people about their experience of staring at a screen for a long time, and whether they could describe a kind of world they feel they enter in those moments. This led to a research project, installation, and performance in collaboration with Theater Kikker.
@ Installation and performance: June 14th and 15th, 2025, Janskerkhof, Utrecht
@ Exhibition of research and design: June 26th to 29th, 2025, De Nijverheid, Utrecht (part of HKU Exposure)
@ Exhibition of research and design: June 26th to 29th, 2025, De Nijverheid, Utrecht (part of HKU Exposure)
Research
The central question
Which space are we talking about?
I interviewed people about how they experience space while being on their phones.
Is there an overarching feeling that emerges from screen time, something that connects these individual experiences?
I translated this research into a series of statements that define this space in binary terms, making its nature more tangible. I invited the interviewees to visualize the space through drawings.
Here are a few examples of the ‘profiles’ I created.
Is there an overarching feeling that emerges from screen time, something that connects these individual experiences?
I translated this research into a series of statements that define this space in binary terms, making its nature more tangible. I invited the interviewees to visualize the space through drawings.
Here are a few examples of the ‘profiles’ I created.
Installation and performance
I have designed the digital space as a swarm.
To me, a swarm is a large, moving, hypnotic mass made up of tiny components — nothing really sticks, and everything eventually disappears again.
To me, a swarm is a large, moving, hypnotic mass made up of tiny components — nothing really sticks, and everything eventually disappears again.
This idea has taken physical form in an installation featuring three garden sprinklers, synchronized in such a way that together they create a swarm. In this design, space once again plays the leading role. It explores what the digital space does to the main character — and how, in the end, he is consumed by it.
The tools used to express this are both sensory (the wetness of the water), transformational (the movement of the water), and visual (its hypnotic effect).
Exploring the swarm: a visual research into its many manifestations
Prototype build of my installation
For the costume design of the guide, I wanted to draw further inspiration from the street.
Since the glass container is, of course, placed in a public space, I wanted to make it clear that the tour guide is not part of it, that they belong to the real world.
I looked for interesting color combinations in my own neighborhood to inform the design.
Since the glass container is, of course, placed in a public space, I wanted to make it clear that the tour guide is not part of it, that they belong to the real world.
I looked for interesting color combinations in my own neighborhood to inform the design.
A study into the type of guide best suited to navigate my digital space
Credits:
Concept, direction, scenography, costume design: Fay van Erp
Performance: Sjoerd Eltink
Script development: Stan Frijsinger
Dramaturgy: Saskia Jones-Walters
Sound design: Elmer Makkinga
Concept, direction, scenography, costume design: Fay van Erp
Performance: Sjoerd Eltink
Script development: Stan Frijsinger
Dramaturgy: Saskia Jones-Walters
Sound design: Elmer Makkinga
Special thanks to: HKU Theatre, Ascon de Nijs, Dymph Boss, Dirk Sonneveld, Merel Pielkenrood, Fé Baan, and all interviewees.
