The photographs in Wired are inspired by the effects of technology on sleep patterns, what scientists and doctors refer to as the “erosion of sleep.” Many people feel the pressure to stay connected, informed and productive. The glow of computer screens and increased dependence on handheld devices have made significant changes to how our bodies slow down, making it difficult to go and stay asleep. This means that, for some, sleep has become a period of diminished capacity rather than an unconnected and uninterrupted state of rest.
I often wake up in the night, with a feeling of needing to be connected to technology, sometimes thinking about work or personal issues or just feeling anxious. I decided to visualize these moments of wakefulness—when I feel the least rested and the most wired. Taken at night, during periods when I couldn’t sleep, these photographs are reflections on living in a light-filled world and a culture that values 24/7 technological connectivity. While I created these images out of a personal need, I hope they echo what other people experience as well.
Wired. Kolman & Pryor Gallery. January 7 - February 20, 2016.
