The process of experiencing the object and the other is central to a human’s understanding of self. Western cultural production has, until recently, been predominantly object-based — for example, the relationship between two individuals — in which case direct social and physical proximity is key to its continuance.
Before the advent of the Internet, the limits of an object could be identified — it was physical. However, the object now has existence in virtual space. Formerly, human relationships were immensely vulnerable to proximity, either to one another, or to relics of our loved ones. Now, we are able to know someone we have never seen. The time spent with another’s presence can now be instant, due to alternative methods such as instant messaging, texting, or even making phone calls. As the digital age advances, our proximity and physicality decreases, while intimacy increases.
Before the advent of the Internet, the limits of an object could be identified — it was physical. However, the object now has existence in virtual space. Formerly, human relationships were immensely vulnerable to proximity, either to one another, or to relics of our loved ones. Now, we are able to know someone we have never seen. The time spent with another’s presence can now be instant, due to alternative methods such as instant messaging, texting, or even making phone calls. As the digital age advances, our proximity and physicality decreases, while intimacy increases.
Something Intangible is a book that was inspired by and a continuation of a graduating theory project from my university studies. It is based on the idea of space and experience within the virtual; that all social interactions between human beings are lost and in the future, there will be no social, physical interactions between human beings. The lack of warmth and the robotic nature of Something Intangible demonstrates this notion: while the book is a physical object, the content is not. The usage of hand-drawn images acts as a juxtaposition against the bold, solid typeface.
