the bird of things
the bird of things
The Bird of Things is a digital and physical archive of brain rot, paranoia, and identity crisis plaguing the United States. Through performance, installation, and moving image, we explore the impacts on human connection to themselves and the world around them.
Being swallowed by algorithms and media perceptions disrupts the human brain from processing information or determining truths. Misinformation and distrust has created a great disconnection amongst those under the thumb of capitalism.
The wealth gap increases, the middle class dissipates into mass confusion on whose side to take, all while the poor vanishes in the midst of overpopulated cities and domestic military force.
black bird.
2024 Performance
Black Bird is a short performance of visual artist RB accompanied by instrumentals from “Animal Collective”. Rickyah “RB” Blake dressed as a black crow facing the reality of the her environment’s reaction to Blackness. In some cultures, the black crow represents death and bad luck while in others, it symbolizes freedom and wisdom. This mysterious bird is highly recognizable for its jet Black skin. As it flies through the world, across oceans, it has no clue the implications that come with being seen by others. Recently moving to London, RB resonates with the oblivion of the Black Crow and chooses dissonance. As she lands in this new place, she realizes the air is different, she feels different. “Why are people staring? Do I not belong here?” She is unamused by the receptions of her Black skin and American accent, but chooses to imitate a black crow by practicing detachment. Freedom is not being concerned by the perceptions of others and only worrying on getting to your destination. If only in the midst of dirty looks, cat-calling, and discrimination, she could fly away, she would.
rabbit hole.
2024 Open Studio Installation
Rabbit Hole is a visual manifestation of a life warped by media algorithms pushed to the extremes corners of the internet where conspiracy and uncertainty rule. This installation is compiled of multiple works including: a wire bird cage, wall collage, video art, and ceramic birds. These works function as one installation to mimic a living room setting of a person whose life is dominated by conspiracy, surveillance, and oppression. Rabbit Hole gives you the opportunity to fall into the mind of a person trapped in the land of conspiracy theories causing the lines of fact and fiction to blur. At the root of these theories is the thought that there is one central power organizing chaos to create order. Each component of this immersive experience serves to prove the interconnectedness of all conspiracy theories, media, and the shaping of the human psyche.
birds aren’t real.
2024 Video
Birds Aren’t Real is a short film detailing the perspective of alternative media outlets narrated by AI. The images used support the story line told by the narrator describing the “deep truths” floating around the bottom of YouTube and Reddit algorithms. Birds Aren’t Real is edited in a way to reflect the concept of brain rot that comes as a result of overconsumption. This work explores the distrust caused by big tech companies promoting content to increase user engagement. In a montage short, we examine the modern theories about surveillance, the shadow government, and occults who are responsible for shaping the world as we see it according to the internet.