SLUDGE
Multi Channel Digital Video, 2024
“SLUDGE” takes inspiration from a growing genre of online videos marked by their high stimulation, seemingly unrelated multi-screen content. These videos pull in many other internet niche content including ASMR, gameplay, and “oddly satisfying” videos in an effort to make high engagement content that games the social media algorithms by betting on one or more of the components to hold the viewer’s interest, thus increasing time watched.
This work is interested in the growing role of this type of content online, whose escapist sensory noise and sought after overstimulation suggest changes in our attention spans, and how we digest and process content.
As we continue to embrace high-stimulation escapism, “SLUDGE” questions its impact on our abilities to cope with feelings of discomfort in the face of tragedy, boredom and uncertainty.
“SLUDGE” takes inspiration from a growing genre of online videos marked by their high stimulation, seemingly unrelated multi-screen content. These videos pull in many other internet niche content including ASMR, gameplay, and “oddly satisfying” videos in an effort to make high engagement content that games the social media algorithms by betting on one or more of the components to hold the viewer’s interest, thus increasing time watched.
This work is interested in the growing role of this type of content online, whose escapist sensory noise and sought after overstimulation suggest changes in our attention spans, and how we digest and process content.
As we continue to embrace high-stimulation escapism, “SLUDGE” questions its impact on our abilities to cope with feelings of discomfort in the face of tragedy, boredom and uncertainty.