V2_ X IFFR | SILENT ENGINE BY KAHEE JEONG
Silent Engine addresses the story of the digital divide caused by rapid technological acceleration, which provides fertile ground for the perpetuation of social inequalities.
Kahee Jeong’s Silent Engine explores the social and psychological consequences of rapid technological advancement, showing how it exacerbates inequality and leaves marginalized groups—such as the elderly, the economically disadvantaged, and those with limited education—hard to adapt. This “digital lag” deepens divisions as privileged groups benefit disproportionately from technological advances. Inspired by Bernard Stiegler’s critique of digital technology, the project explores how these tools erode autonomy, erode human bonds, and perpetuate exclusion.
The work uses visuals that merge transformed human figures with insect-like elements, symbolizing the struggle of marginalized individuals trapped in an overwhelming digital world. Scenes inspired by poorhouses and massive data centers highlight themes of inequality and exclusion. The sound design reinforces this sense of disconnection by replacing dialogue with unintelligible sounds that reflect the inaccessibility of digital information.
Drawing parallels with biological concepts such as population bottlenecks, Silent Engine illustrates how rapid technological change reduces societal diversity and thus weakens resilience. Through evocative imagery and storytelling, it critiques the hidden forces driving technological transformation and advocates for a more inclusive and equitable digital future.
Who really benefits from technological progress? Through visual and auditory experiments, Silent Engine will create a space to reflect on how the digital divide is disrupting society and paving the way for an increasingly exclusive future.
All dates
From 31 January to 9 February
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