Thirteenth International Conference on The Image

Abstract

When physical artworks are juxtaposed with animated GIFs of the same subject the overall meaning of the pair is compounded. Because the virtual simulations used in the juxtapositions represent the same subjects as the still images this research endeavors to explore the new knowledge that is revealed. Each exploration of this kind uncovers new directions and brings up more questions for further study. This work straddles the study of still, moving and virtual images as well as language formation based on hand gestures. Consisting of various GIFs composed of specific emojis which correspond with the drawing to which they are juxtaposed, this research explores the multitude of meanings found in the real and the virtual. Because emojis are based on historic hand gestures, some with more and multiple meanings, the resulting juxtapositions differ in depth. Evaluations (questioning images) are ongoing and change slightly each time they are undertaken, and in response to global health crises such as pandemics. Research to this point has produced provocative results: one, that the virtual is indeed a part of the physical, two, that the significance of emojis should not be overlooked, and three, that differing viewers and differing settings produce different outcomes. These juxtapositions are intersections of the momentary and the prolonged suggesting further investigations using new technologies such as augmented reality, or settings such as public spaces.