In Echo Chamber, the artist explores the timely issue of polarization of viewpoints through the element of listening as a multi-faceted sense; one that can imprison us in an echo chamber, but one that also has the power to invoke empathy and bridge divides. The ear represents both the cause and the antidote for polarization and hate. Listening helps us break down the walls of the echo chamber. With the rise of social media and AI as a new “standard” in journalism - biased and not necessarily truth - listening requires more parsing and filtering than ever. We wonder: What do I believe? Am I only hearing or truly listening?
In 2020, Melissa had her final solo residency show at the Boulder Creative Collective, entitled Echo Chamber. It emcompassed the following series of works: 1) Questioning, 2) Listening, 3) Comforting, 4) Polarizing, and 5) Breathing. The following are images from that show. Some pieces are available for purchase.
