Network is an interactive website that accumulates the window sizes of web browsers that visit the site and transforms them into an endless scrolling feed.
Through clicking or tapping on screen, site visitors can contribute to the artwork by creating window panels based on their web browser size. By tracking the size of each participant's web browser window, it generates a unique archive composed of the browsers who have visited and interacted with the site. As users scroll, their contributions transform into colourful window panels that merge to create an ever-changing visual landscape.
The artwork was developed during COVID-19 lockdown in recognition and response to doomscrolling - the act of addictively scrolling through endless news and social media feeds and consuming bad news regarding the pandemic. By seeking assurance to gain a sense of preparedness and control during times of uncertainty, doomscrolling sets up a feedback loop of continually drawing people back to the news and scrolling yet again. This transient assurance gained by reading the news worsens anxiety over time.
Network explores the soothing compulsion of doomscrolling by perpetually enticing the viewer with the possibility of something new appearing in the feed. The movement and positions of the browser windows are constantly recycled and updated as the user scrolls, merging and overlaying with previous user interactions. This generates an endlessly changing stream of information, and unique artwork for each audience to observe.