Technologies of Self-Fashioning: Virtual Ethnicities in New Media Art

Symposium:


Session Title:
  • Movement and Bodies

Presentation Title:
  • Technologies of Self-Fashioning: Virtual Ethnicities in New Media Art

Presenter(s):


Abstract:

  • (Long paper)

    Keywords: Self-fashioning, fashion, ethnic apparel, race, gender, colourblind racism, Second Life, virtual worlds, SLart, Skawennati, Time Traveller.

    This paper proposes a theoretical framework with which to discuss the critical engagement of media art projects in Second Life with racialized self-representation, fashion and ethnic dress. Examining Montreal-based Mohawk artist Skawennati’s machinima series, TimeTravellerTM (2008-13), a project of selfdetermination, survivance and Indigenous futurity, it argues the critically-aware act of ‘virtually self-fashioning’ racialized borndigital identities, or virtual ethnicities, disrupts ways in which today’s vast proliferation of self-technologies enabling the creation, recreation and management of multiple selves, would otherwise remain complicit with neoliberal colour-blind racism.

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