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What do we mean when we talk about our ‘other’ self, our ‘second’ self, our, ‘online’ self? Some evangelists of certain digital worlds, like Second Life or World of Warcraft, declare that in the virtual realm we become our true selves, throwing off the shackles of mere appearance. Members of 4chan would probably agree. Where anyone can be anything, does that not level the playing field of life, allowing our personalities to reign free? Are these purported online ‘safe spaces’ the utopias we wish them to be, or just breeding grounds that encourage anonymous harassment, allowing our inner My Hyde’s to overwhelm the front facing Dr Jekyll’s. Maybe being hateful and misogynistic is part of our true selves, with Donald Trump as president of the United States being an example of this. When one enters the voting booth, alone at last, they only have to look within themselves to discover what, or who, they really want…
Taking its title from the 2010 documentary directed by Jason Spingarn-Koff, Life 2.0, where Springarn-Koff interviews individuals who call the world of Second life their true home, isthisit?'s online pavilion situated within The Wrong Biennale presents a variety of artworks considering the notion of ones second self, explored online through virtual avatars and hidden identities, safely positioned behind the seemingly impenetrable protection of the screen.
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life20.co.uk
