Rhythm of anticipation

By Jovana Tesic

Topic: Digital Traces

Medium: Video

Institute: Politecnico di Milano

Year: a.a. 2023-2024

The focus is on understanding the emotional and psychological dimensions of digital dependencies. Specifically, the data research examines the frequency of phone pickups throughout the day, in which the immediate attention is given to Instagram. In exploring this habit, a noticeable disproportion emerges between the frequency of phone pickups and the actual notifications received. In this relationship between digital behavior and emotional responses, ‘Rhythm of Anticipation’ is a visual and poetic narrative that captures the essence of anticipation, revealing the patterns and nuances of phone usage in the context of notification expectations.

Featured image of the project Rhythm of anticipation

Metaphor used:

Using the metaphor of a "buffering Screen," the project visually represents the habitual act of checking for notifications. The screen undergoes a continuous transition, reflecting the repetitive nature of pickups without substantial notifications. It remains in a perpetual state of buffering, symbolizing the unproductive cycle. Occasionally, when a notification occurs, the screen distinctly transforms, highlighting the infrequent moments of meaningful content within the persistent anticipation.

Intended Meaning:

Presenting a perspective on the inverse correlation between Instagram pickups and notifications, the project aims to underscore the influence of personal anticipation on digital behavior. The central argument posits that an increase in Instagram pickups frequently corresponds to a decrease in received notifications, substantiated by data analysis. Delving into the psychological aspects, the incorporation of poetry and visual elements serves to articulate the emotional dimensions, emphasizing the notion that our yearning for notifications significantly shapes our behavioral patterns. The intention is to provide a nuanced understanding of the interplay between anticipation, digital actions, and the emotional responses embedded within this dynamic.

Source:

IPhone screen time data collected between October 9th and 21st, 2023.