The University of Connecticut’s Department of Digital Media and Design is delighted to announce the 2024 MFA Thesis Exhibition DIGI-PHERNIA. The in-person exhibition is open from April 2 to May 5, 2024. in the William Benton Museum of Art at 245 Glenbrook Road, Storrs, CT, with an opening reception on Thursday, April 18, from 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM EDT.  Museum hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 to 4:00 PM.  All events are free and open to the public. To learn more about the exhibition, visit: https://dmd.uconn.edu/mfashow/

Exhibiting artists: 

• Luiza Printes dos Santos, Brazil, “Digital Moments, Liquid Experiences (2024)“, 2-Channel Video Installation with Audio
• Maria Shurupova, Russia, Doppel Diner (2024), Video Game Installation
• Zahra Zare, Iran, My Lost Connections (2024), Medium: Animation
• Roya Movahed, Iran, HeLoHe (2024), Mobile Application
• Zahra Sadeghi, Iran, Sleeping Sky (2024), Narrative Short Film
• Jin Liu, China, No Purpose Question (2024), Philosophical/Experimental VR Game
• Danial Ezzati, Iran, TIME: Journey to Nowruz (2024), Video Game Installation

DIGI-PHERNIA

“The way our media and technologies encourage us to be in more than one place at the same time.”

– Douglas Rushkoff

DIGI-PHERNIA showcases the collective work of Danial Ezzati, Jin Liu, Roya Movahed, Luiza Printes dos Santos, Zahra Sadeghi, Maria Shurupova, and Zahra Zare – representing the first graduating cohort composed exclusively of international students in the Master of Fine Arts in Digital Media Design program at the University of Connecticut. In an era where digital media and emerging technologies permeate every aspect of our lives, this exhibition serves as a poignant exploration of their multifaceted, multicultural impact through film, animation, video games, and mobile applications.

The title, inspired by the work of media theorist, Douglas Rushkoff in his 2017 book Present Shock, ‘digi-phernia’ refers to the phenomenon of navigating multiple digital realms simultaneously, a concept vividly embodied not only in the artistic expressions presented in this exhibition, but also in the experiences of the artists themselves. As individuals who have crossed vast geographic borders to pursue their terminal degrees, each artist has been navigating the complexities of a digitally interconnected existence. They have discovered that new forms of media bridge the gap between their past lives and present aspirations, simultaneously forging new pathways of expression and connection.

At its core, each exhibited artwork celebrates digital technology as both a source of amusement and a catalyst for critical reflection, through a variety of global perspectives. Themes range from the exploration of digital immersion and introspection (Luiza & Jin) to a vibrant celebration of Iranian cultural history (Danial); from promoting awareness of mental healthcare and holistic well-being (Roya & Maria) to exploring issues of immigration, gender, and cultural identity in a global society through narrative storytelling (Zahra S. & Zahra Z.).

Foremost, DIGI-PHERNIA invites viewers to immerse in a dynamic intersection of visual art, technology, and global citizenship, envisioning a society that thrives on the transformative power of digital mediums in shaping cultural discourse and fostering connections across borders.