At the center of the installation is a reimagined in-flight experience, highlighting the invention of commercial air travel as a pivotal symbol of space-time compression. In flight, one occupies a space suspended between origins and destinations acting as a middle ground between space and time. To deepen this metaphor, I designed an interactive In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) system.
Traditionally, IFEs cater to individual entertainment, reinforcing personal isolation. In contrast, my version invites passengers to engage more reflectively: they can explore a detailed view of the timeline and input their place of origin to see connections with others who interact with the installation. Users are encouraged to reflect on how technology has simultaneously brought us closer together and pulled us apart. The goal of Fragmented Connections is to spark dialogue about the effects of globalization and technological evolution, questioning whether these advancements truly foster deeper connection or inadvertently contribute to isolation. By reimagining these themes, I hope to inspire a more intentional and human-centered approach to connection in an increasingly compressed and interconnected world.
Fragmented Connections: A Journey through Space, Time, and Technology. Thesis project created in 2025
My thesis project examines the transformative effects of technological advancement on our perception of space, time, and human connection. As technology accelerates, we experience a phenomenon known as space-time compression. As a result, distances seem to shrink, and timeframes contract, whether through faster travel, instant communication, or digital interactions. While the world of technology is only advancing, the world feels increasingly smaller paradoxically leading to greater fragmentation.
Through an immersive, life-sized timeline, I aim to visualize this paradox. The installation features key technological milestones throughout history, with the physical form of the timeline itself representing a model of space-time compression. As viewers view the timeline, they are invited to engage with how each technological breakthrough has reshaped our understanding of space and time. This timeline represents both the progress and the emotional dissonance that can result from technology.
I collected most of the technology pieces from the streets of San Francisco, as well as by asking friends and visiting thrift stores. I began my design process by setting up a mock exhibition in my living room, experimenting with different configurations to determine which setup worked best.
