“Always On: Exploring Socially Engaged Internet Art in Taiwan” presented by Tseng
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People use mobile smart devices as gateways to enter the online world. We are not only “Being online” but in “Always On” life. Taiwanese artists recognized the issues and has led to a greater concern on the digital lifestyle and its impacts, resulting in the initiation of creative pro-jects and exhibitions. The involvement of the internet society in internet art is a proven method for artists. This approach aligns with the concept of Socially Engaged In-ternet Art. It emphasizes artists actively engaging in so-cial issues within the online environment to prompt au-dience awareness and reflection on topics related to the online society, politics, culture, and more. This article aims to gain insight into the critical awareness and prac-tices by examining the artworks in the “Always On: Net Art Exhibition” in Taiwan. This exhibition features 10 artists and 2 artist groups, showcasing a total of 15 art-works organized into four themes: “Digital Manipula-tion,” “Information Ghost,” “Simulated Existence,” and “Return to Reality.” The author will explore how artists express their concerns regarding the implications of be-havioral technology, strive to regain their rationality, and acknowledge the existence of concealed online manipula-tion.
