TimeZone is a collaborative project developed by Hadi Asgharpour, Maedeh Asgharpour, and LabSynthE as part of ATCM 6377 Creativity as Social Practice. This project explores the relationship between immigrant experiences and the role of video calls in bridging geographical distances. The project invites immigrants to record and share video conversations with family members separated by long distances. This encourages active participation and celebrates communication across space and time. The project also embraces the concept of global communication, as described by Thomas Nail, by highlighting the ubiquity of image and information sharing in our digital age. In his book, Handbook of Art and Global Migration (2019), Nail explains the global aspect of images: “Today, it is possible for anyone to communicate by voice or text with anyone else; to listen to almost every sound ever recorded; to view almost any image ever made, and to read almost any text ever written from a single device and almost any location on Earth” (Nail, 2019, page 60).
The project features recorded video calls presented through various old telephone installations enhanced by projection mapping technology. During the video call, one person appears on the top of the telephone, while the other appears on the bottom. This creates a visually engaging storyline that captures the emotional essence of long-distance relationships, providing a glimpse into the complex emotions and dynamics of being away from loved ones. Sharing personal communications highlights the emotional significance of digital artifacts in global image and video flows.
The main objective of TimeZone is to create a solid emotional connection with every participant, providing them with a deep sense of belonging and reducing their loneliness. The project aims to promote empathy and understanding among the audience, helping them understand the challenges of being separated from their home and roots. TimeZone encourages participants to share their experiences of being far away from their family and country, highlighting their difficulties and emotions. Recording and sharing these communications emphasizes the vital link between our lives and the global circulation of digital images and videos and how these media can hold great emotional value.
TimeZone is a powerful and inspiring project that illuminates the immigrant experience, fosters empathy, and celebrates the power of connection in a world where physical distance is no longer a barrier to communication, particularly for those who may never return to their homeland due to unforeseen circumstances.
