Virtual Solo Exhibition by Mais Al-Sheikhly

Emojis = Genuine Emotion?
Emojis = Lack of Authenticity?
Emojis = Useless trend or Meaningful Communication?

“What the emoji phenomenon is showing … [is] that the traditional forms of language and writing are no longer able to carry out thoughts in the ways of the past.”
– Marcel Danesi

CLICK

Love them or hate them, emojis are everywhere. Images are becoming the new mode of expression, and it brings a lack of authentic communication. Click collection is a reference to how the rise of emoji has left our world lost for words. Scientists discovered that when we look at a smiley face online, the same parts of the brain are activated as when we look at a real human face. Our mood changes, and we might even alter our facial expressions to match the emotion of the smile emoji. Our digital communications tend to be rapid, and everyone loves the fast and easy way of expressing emotions via emojis.

The main focus of each piece in the Click collection is the emoji representing the unauthentic way of expressing emotions. The texture on the side is raw and is erupting like a volcano. It is a visual representation of the death of authentic and genuine communication between people. Resin glass dots on the background represent tears of genuine logging vibe of sitting next to someone and having chemistry during the conversation. The true feeling of having real conversations is lost, and many people believe that images better communicate their thoughts and feelings than words. Whether you love or hate them, emoji are here to stay and their effect on language is certain to grow even further.”

– Liza Zhurkovskaya, Founder/Curator of Kefi Art Gallery