"Study With Me" is an interactive installation that transforms a traditional study cubicle into a reflective dialogue on the convergence of digital and physical academic cultures in China. This project reimagines the narratives of mechanical labor and surveillance by turning the oppressive gaze into a dialogue on diligence, encouraging participants to engage with an interactive narrative and confront their own reflections.
Project Video
Abstract
Study With Me is an interactive installation exploring reflections of diligence within the digital confines of online self-study rooms (线上自习室) in China. Blending structural rigor with the engaging aesthetics seen on popular platforms like Bilibili, this project reimagines the narratives of surveillance and mechanical labor prevalent in Chinese digital academic culture. Self-study rooms, often seen as both a symptom and a remedy to the pressures of 'neijuan' (involution), offer a paradoxical refuge from and reinforcement of intense academic competition. Here, students and young adults find solace in the discipline and communal support needed to achieve their educational goals. The installation features a study cubicle equipped with one-way mirrored panels, embodying the gaze of the unknown observer in the digital space. This setting allows users to simultaneously engage in and reflect on the act of studying, thus experiencing firsthand the phenomenon of "study" as both a physical and conceptual space. The design incorporates elements that resonate with the heritage of high-stakes academic environments, drawing on the structure of imperial examination cells, balanced with the modern aesthetics that make up Chinese digital study culture. Details such as a carpeted floor, a handmade lotus flower lampshade, and motivational phrases commonly found in study spaces enrich the experience, creating a blend of intensity and coziness. Sitting on the desk, users will find a Mac computer, a nod to the 'Study With Me' genre’s iconic imagery, which hosts an interactive StoryMaps-based narrative. This story leads users through an audiovisual journey exploring the history and evolution of self-study rooms, interspersed with live feeds of the participants in the cubicle. This design encourages a reflective dialogue on diligence, challenging participants to confront their own perspectives and share messages of encouragement with others. Study With Me combines historical elements with contemporary digital aesthetics, creating a unique experiential learning environment that encourages personal introspection and communal exchange. It not only showcases the challenges faced by learners but also celebrates their resilience and adaptability, offering a novel perspective on navigating the pressures of educational environments today, in China, and beyond.
Images
Project Logbook
Website: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/0eb010d953584991a6d8b38b70bb4f3b
Keywords: Self-study rooms, Chinese academic culture, Interactive storytelling
Copyright Statement: I, Celia Forster, affirm that I am the sole owner of the content submitted in this project, except where explicitly noted. The content of the StoryMaps is largely derived from my original capstone paper. All quotations and external content have been appropriately attributed to their respective authors and sources. Graphics are designed by myself. All code utilized in this project has been commented to clearly distinguish between my original work and external contributions. The code incorporates elements from the P5.js library examples, and features integration of JSON technology, which cites ChatGPT as helping with these lines of code. The musical components used for sound mixing are royalty-free and not subject to copyright restrictions, ensuring compliance with intellectual property laws.