Surface Tear

Author

Alexandra Soiseth, Rhode Island School of DesignFollow

Date of Award

Spring 6-3-2023

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Fine Arts (MFA)

Department

Textiles

First Advisor

Anna Gitelson-Kahn

Second Advisor

Mary Anne Friel

Third Advisor

Joy Ko

Abstract

Tactile literacy declines as we interface with the world through digital screens. Because of this, our ability to appreciate our surroundings, connect to each other, and understand ourselves is impacted. With our contemporary notion of materiality blurred between physical and digital, I propose the adoption of haptic visuality—a tactile way of seeing—to build greater awareness of our sense of touch in digital spaces.

I respond to materials through a cycle of physical and digital processes. Manipulating, capturing, and rendering are tools to distort materiality between virtual and non-virtual worlds. How can a fabric’s surface offer the dimension and transformation we experience when interacting with a digital screen? By drawing this metaphor between textile and digital surfaces, we emphasize our need for touch and materiality in the physical world.

Comments

View exhibition online: Alexandra Soiseth, Surface Tear

Recommended Citation

Soiseth, Alexandra, "Surface Tear" (2023). Masters Theses. 1112.
https://digitalcommons.risd.edu/masterstheses/1112

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.