About

Nicole Eisenman “The Breakup” (2011) featured in Whitney 2012 Biennial.

The prevalence of mobile devices in cities has irretrievably altered our experience of the physical spaces that we inhabit. Personal mobile devices such as smart phones, iPhones, iPods etc. have become commonplace in the urban landscape. While these personal computing devices do provide a sense of convenience and accessibility, they also indirectly alter the social interaction between people in public spaces.

How many times have you walked down the street watching someone head-down, deeply immersed in their cell phone, walking toward you with the expectation that you will get out of their way? When is the last time you had the pleasure of enjoying a meal with fully present friends without the disruption of their iPhones? Why is it that we decide to be preoccupied with our headphones plugged in instead of talking to the people who we rub shoulders with on the subway? These are a few of the puzzling yet very topical questions that strike me and many other urban inhabitants daily.This blog is an outlet for photographic examples (and frustrations) that exemplify these instances in which people are disconnected or distracted by their mobile devices in public.

While we promise to check in, texting our friends and loved ones, we become distracted and forget about our current location or company, we inadvertently Check Out.