fromInside
Andrea Walker
fromInside is an interactive sculpture that explores the interior nature of consciousness and the desire we all share for love and communion with one another. This small humanoid form holds its projected face with one hand, while it reaches out to you with the other. The creature is sad to be alone, and will search the room for somebody to love it. It will cry and sniffle until you approach and take its hand. As you hold its hand, go ahead and offer it some reassuring words. Tell it that you love it. The creature will laugh and squeak with joy at your presence. Letting go is always the hard part and this creature will not enjoy when you leave it behind. As you release its hand the bond between you is broken and this creature is again left alone to cry and search for its next possible friend.
This artwork began as an attempt to make a statement about the isolation inherent in the experience of consciousness. I wanted to underscore the idea that all human beings are alienated from one another by the formation of our very identities. What I came to realize is that I cannot—perhaps for that very reason—ever make an accurate statement about human beings in general. I do not know how people feel, but I do know how I feel, thus I can only try to share something about myself.
When I realized this, fromInside started to take shape. It became more of a self-portrait than social commentary. Like this creature I am searching, as I too have a desire for love and attention that is seemingly insatiable. This artwork has become the embodiment of my spirit’s most disquieting question; Can our desire for meaningful contact with one another ever be truly satisfied? Or are we alienated by our own sense of self—destined to be alone in the most profound sense of the word? The question remains unanswered, but I have made myself a new friend.