This project explores the history of data from ancient Greece to the present day. Sculpture served as a form of technology during that time, functioning as one of the methods for storing data, whereas today, machines fulfill this role. The disk held by the Discobolus emphasizes the temporal contrast between the past and the future. It also illustrates how we can manipulate data and how we can BE manipulated by data.  While it may seem that power lies in our hands, is it merely an illusion?

Another symptom of the times is nostalgia. Our brains tend to forget negative experiences and idealize positive memories as a means of self-preservation. Returning home from school in the past and playing ‘Minesweeper’ on my old PC fills me with warm feelings of innocent childhood, free from the daily disturbances of adult life. The fusion of 3D animation with the vintage charm of old-school 2D games offers a fresh perspective, inviting us to revisit the past through a new lens and fostering a unique experience and mindset. It’s a journey through the annals of our own history, tracing the evolution of our thoughts and beliefs. Also, the aesthetics of the game ‘Minesweeper’ serve as a bridge between generations, playing a significant role in societal constructs.

Time progresses, and old things fade into obscurity. In an attempt to depict the degradation of data over time, the quality of the final video was intentionally degraded to demonstrate how data can turn into a poor image, lost in the darkness of the huge amount of media. Sculpture, being a physical form of art, is also a part of this process, which means that all kinds of data are not historical.

The act of obtaining the 3D model of the authentic sculpture resembles a form of theft, though it isn’t legally prohibited. This particular sculpture, housed in the British Museum, stands as an example of items appropriated by England. Originating from Greece, it remains unreturned and unpunished, much like my appropriation of the Discobolus’ 3D model. Below is the link to the sculpture’s description on the British Museum’s website.

https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/G_1805-0703-43

Textures

All textures and materials are critically linked to the image. Pixels serve as data storage units. I attempted to utilize these pixel boxes to accommodate additional data within them.