Digital Waste: The Sweet Smell of Burning
The notion behind the series “Digital Waste:The Sweet Smell of Burning” highlights the behavioural issues of taking excessive photographs and the disproportionate exchange of worthless information on various social media platforms. The series is divided into three components: photographs and objects primarily use rejected images, and video work highlights engagement with meaningless information, which at times leads to vocalisation (armchair activism) or, alternatively, demonstrates indifference towards various social issues.
In her photographic exploration of the overwhelming number of images we take, save, and ultimately discard, Madhvee delves into how this flood of digital behaviour affects not only our emotions but also our relationships and sense of connection to the physical world. Her work examines the ways in which the endless capturing and sharing of moments can dilute our experiences, creating a complex interplay between memory and reality. Through subtle transparency and intricate layering techniques, she brings a fresh perspective to visual storytelling, inviting her audience to step into a world where time does not merely stand still but continuously shifts, evolves, and morphs. This dynamic portrayal reflects the transient nature of digital media and its role in shaping our perceptions, encouraging viewers to reflect on the implications of living in a culture that is both hyperconnected and paradoxically disconnected.
VIDEO WORK
The F Art of Social Media
The F Art of Social Media, 2018, Single-Channel Video, 16:9, Colour, Sound, 7:16 minute
On average an adult spends 3 hrs a day, translating into 1,095 hrs a year browsing through miscellaneous information on various social media. The Single-channel video, “The F-art of Social Media” uses text available on group chats. It is a satirical attempt to capture the involuntary and to an extent hypnotic physical and mental involvement. The concept is inspired by the abundance of frivolous pieces of information in the form of text on various social media platforms that unintentionally acts as a breeding ground for instant gratification, emotional disconnect, an absence of mindfulness and other behaviours.
SMALL SCULPTURES
To further explore the possibilities and to break the 2-dimensional aspect of the photographs, the rejected photo prints are used to create the objects. These objects are an extension of the photographs and they provide scope for investigating another aspect of digital waste, while still maintaining the element of ambiguity.
The sculpture predominantly uses the paper that is an outcome of “Digital Waste: The Sweet Smell Of Burning” series explorations. Besides being a tool for extending the scope of 2-dimensional works, the small sculptures also provided an opportunity to revisit childhood in a certain way. The shapes are inspired by memories associated with childhood and experiences during the various travels. The physicality of these objects pushes me as well as the viewers to make an association that is beyond what is within the frame.
