Sisyphus
(We have to think of Sisyphus as a happy machine)
2022, iPad on a slow rotary motor, videoloop
The feature screen orientation is an essential feature on tablets and mobile phones. A positioning sensor within the mobile device decides on the supposed, correct orientation of the screen. Often this digital aid is more of a nuisance than a help, as the rotation does not work as expected.
In the work "Sisyphus" an iPad, mounted on a motor, rotates permanently through 360 degrees. As a result, the automatic screen orientation tries to adjust the displayed content again and again.
The display shows a video recording of a so-called "thumb signal". A thumb signal, usually described as a thumbs-up or thumbs-down, is a common hand gesture achieved by a closed fist held with the thumb extended upward or downward in approval or disapproval, respectively.
As a result of the permanent automatic rotation, the thumb which obviously is going to point upwards, always turns into a downwards position . It seems that the positive state can never be represented. Again and again, the supposedly helping automatic alignment intervenes and changes the depicted state of mind.
This work is inspired by malfunctions in today's user interface design, as well as by the figure of Sisyphus from Greek mythology.
