Graduation project
Ensnared Identity
Yawen Cong
An interactive video installation demonstrates the influence that algorithms have on shaping people’s identities.
Identity is usually shaped by the interaction between a person’s imaginary self and the information they come across. Online, this means that multiple different digital accounts result in multiple different digital identities for a person. These identities emerge not only from people’s self-representation in different digital contexts but also from how algorithms influence these identities. Ensnared Identity is an interactive video installation that unpacks the stages of identity creation online, revealing the hidden power of algorithms in shaping interactions and altering who people are. The experience prompts questioning the authenticity of one’s thoughts and desires, wondering if they are truly one’s own or imposed by algorithms.