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OF INMIGRANTS AND NATIVES
"Of Immigrants and Natives" explores the relationship between humans and the virtual world, focusing on the impact of social networks and the Internet on our psychology. Through this collection, I invite the viewer to reflect on how these technologies influence our identity, behavior, and perception of reality.
The title of the series, "Of Immigrants and Natives," refers to the terms coined by Marc Prensky to describe people born before and after the digital revolution. "Digital natives have grown up with technology as an integral part of their lives, while digital immigrants have had to adapt to these changes. This distinction becomes a starting point for examining generational differences in the way we interact with the virtual world.
Each work in the series features human figures that appear to be immersed in abstract digital environments, reflecting how the line between the real and the virtual has become increasingly blurred. The vibrant colors and complex textures represent the overload of information and stimuli we face in the digital environment.
In some of these works, the figures carry electronic devices such as cell phones, tablets, or headphones, symbolizing the constant connection and dependence on these devices. In others, they are surrounded by social networking icons and notifications, representing social pressure and the need for online validation. These images seek to question how these dynamics affect our self-esteem, interpersonal relationships, and mental health.
The series also explores the idea of identity in the virtual world. Characters can appear fragmented or multiplied, suggesting the creation of multiple versions of ourselves online. This phenomenon of "digital identities" highlights the tension between our authentic persona and the masks we adopt to adapt to different virtual contexts.
Moreover, "Of Immigrants and Natives" does not focus solely on traditional painting.
The series is further enriched by the installation of electronic components and the use of oil on recycled electronic circuit boards. The integration of these elements not only adds a tactile and visual dimension to the works, but also underscores the interconnectedness of art, technology, and sustainability. The reuse of electronic components highlights the relationship between technological obsolescence and the persistence of our digital experiences
ADDICTUS
Is a work that explores the growing dependence and addiction to technology in modern society. Composed of various fragments, each image within the work symbolizes different aspects of this addiction. A crucified hand on a keyboard represents the sacrifice of our freedom and time for the sake of digital connectivity. A child assembling itself like Tetris alludes to the construction of our identity out of digital pieces shaped by technology. Emoticons, the new hieroglyphs, reflect the simplification and evolution of our language and communication. A diver in the depths searching for a signal symbolizes the constant search for connection and validation in the vast ocean of the network. Through these images, "Addictus" invites the viewer to reflect on the impact of technology in our daily lives and how it consumes us, shaping our interactions, behaviors and perceptions. The work is a call for awareness of the balance between the digital world and tangible reality, and a meditation on the nature of our addiction to technology.
Heyder Reyes, 2019
PHUBBING
"Phubbing" is a work that addresses the disconnection and alienation caused by addiction to technology and mobile devices. Through a series of striking images, the work highlights different aspects of this contemporary issue. A naked woman is attacked by numerous cursors, symbolizing vulnerability and harassment in the digital world. A girl with no voice of her own, flooded with chat balloons, reflects the loss of identity and oppression by the overabundance of other people's opinions. An eye fixated only on GPS represents the obsession with location and the loss of personal direction. Finally, a man, incomplete and fragmented by the mindless consumption of YouTube, shows how the overconsumption of digital content can disintegrate our integrity and coherence. In addition, the inclusion of a sculpture or fragment of Mayan culture discarded in the garbage symbolizes cultural loss in an increasingly globalized world. This element highlights how technology and globalization can lead to the discarding and forgetting of our rich cultural heritage, replacing it with superficial and ephemeral values. "Phubbing" invites viewers to reflect on the consequences of our technological dependence and to question how our digital interactions affect our humanity, our authentic connections, and our cultural roots.
Heyder Reyes, 2019
LIKE
"Like" is a work that critiques the modern obsession with validation on social networks. The central image shows a "like" hitting a person's face, symbolizing the impact and pain that the constant search for virtual approval can cause. The work reflects on how far we are willing to go to get a "like" and questions the value we place on these superficial forms of approval. Through this performance, I invite the viewer to reflect on the psychological and social consequences of our addiction to online validation and to reconsider the true meaning of acceptance and recognition.
Heyder Reyes, 2019
LOADING
Is a work that captures the contemporary struggle for identity in the digital age. It depicts a man with a pixelated face surrounded by the universal symbol of loading. This image reflects the constant waiting and uncertainty that accompanies our search for connection and authenticity in a technology-saturated world. The man's pixelated face symbolizes the fragmentation of personal identity, diluted and redefined by virtual interactions. The eternally spinning cargo symbol suggests a never-ending search for recognition and belonging on the web. The work invites the viewer to reflect on how technology influences our perception of ourselves and how, in many ways, we continue to "load" to discover who we really are..
Heyder Reyes, 2019
KNOTS
Invites the viewer to consider how emotions and technology intertwine in our existence, creating an intricate web that can both connect and entangle our inner being.
Heyder Reyes, 2019