Czech Republic, Ukraine | 16:45 | 2024

In this evolving three-part video project, I'm delving into the intricate theme of empathy within the realm of social and news media. The work aims to dissect the impact of media competition in portraying death, a phenomenon that fosters a perception of an increasingly violent modern world—though, in reality, this may not be entirely accurate.

The relentless coverage of terrorist attacks, while seeking to inform, inadvertently forges a connection between perpetrators and the public. The ceaseless barrage of visual imagery, an omnipresent force in our daily lives, intricately weaves itself into the fabric of our memory. It prompts contemplation on the blurred boundaries between what we witness through media and what remains etched in our own experiences. We live in a time when we experience so-called empathy boundaries every day.

As regulatory systems and algorithms surge, an influx of images portraying tragedy and death floods our screens. The repetitiveness of these images, often strikingly similar or even identical, creates a haunting loop that can stifle those attempting to shield themselves from distressing news. Simultaneously, it becomes a source of trauma for individuals directly impacted by these events. The film is working with the role of regulatory tools, such as the "mark content as sensitive" feature on social media and search engines. While ostensibly designed to shield users from violent content, the work critically questions whether these measures truly aid in protecting individuals from the harrowing realities they seek to avoid.