Neeti Sivakumar
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coffee...water?
no, please...
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iced?
hot?
flavoured?
bubbly?)

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email me @ neetisivakumar@gmail.com
SOCIAL PROTOCOLS

2024



Medium: Internet Art, Performance

Presented at ITP Thesis Week Social Protocols is a series of experiments examining the role of communication technology in our conversations, specifically how it affects our vulnerability. What are the social protocols that dictate how we use the internet, with media like emails, texts, and audio/video calls? How do aspects like language, time, and non-verbal cues play a role in conversation?


A-Home-Page is an exploration of vulnerability in online/offline communication. Inspired by Legacy Russell’s Glitch Feminism, the project delves into the plurality of self in everyday life. Using the home as a physical and digital backdrop for intimacy, participants become a part of a performance while interacting with others through chat rooms. The project uses chatbots to mediate conversations and triggers for physical interactions with the intent of creating a situation for vulnerability in both online/offline spaces.

DMs in Public explores the role Instagram stories play in self-disclosure. By recontextualizing our private DMs through hoardings and public displays, I question the need for exposing our vulnerabilities to strangers via views and likes.

Algorithms of Care is a play with affordances of communication technology. By removing audio from video calls, the dependence on gesture and body language as seen with in-person conversation arises.

Pillow Talk uses role-play and improvisation. Over various communication media, I re-enact situations involving break-ups, loss and grief, and making amends to instigate vulnerability in my conversations with participants.




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