Digital technology offers people a more comfortable and convenient lifestyle, but every coin has two sides. The development of the Internet speeds up the transmission of information, but when this advantage is abused, it will turn the Internet into an invisible weapon. Ruoyu Wang’s work reflects a conflict between humans and the digital world by exposing the detrimental aspects of the influence of technology.

In 2019, K-pop stars Jin-ri Choi and Hara Koo committed suicide one after the other due to pressure from cyberbullying. Online gossip tormented them in life; even when diagnosed with depression, netizens did not stop their hateful comments. As the Internet will still play an inseparable role in people’s future lives, Wang realizes the importance of fighting against cyber violence and building toward a peaceful cyber world. Her artwork provokes people to think twice before typing since a living person is behind each Internet ID number.

This exhibition presents a collection of works reflecting Wang’s critical view of digital technology. In Who The Next (2022), the curse-inscribed cloth worn by the artist in the video performance represents cyber life. She utilizes an audio input component to invite the audience to have a real-time interactive experience. When audience members speak into the microphone, the sudden jump to a chaotic, shocking, and noisy video reflects the real impact of cyberbullying. It can happen at any time, targeting anybody at any place for no justified reasons. Human interface devices like microphones and keyboards become lethal weapons for

killing people anonymously.