Michelle Tran

Puzzle: A Toy Designed to test Ingenuity or Knowledge

An iteration of the block design test, which itself was used for testing schizophrenia and IQ but slowly phased out after discovering more accurate research meethods. This iteration calls back to this test's roots, but puts on a twist on trying to simulate a schizophernic experience through confusing and impossible to solve puzzles, and an unrreliable guide that is meant to help you solve the puzzles.

“The puzzle blocks, is a little bit more experimental to me. I'm more familiar with digital and 2D formats of designed so creating something more tangible isn't my strongest area. I've tried to recreate the experience of having schizophrenia with the easy task of solving a couple of block puzzles though slowly they becomes unsolvable while a "audio companion" is trying to direct you in how to solve the puzzles in a more or less condescending manner. The theme of "corporate sanitization" is consistent while I was creating this piece. Aspects of schizophrenia, includes being unable to function properly as you may used to, and hearing voices. Emulating it through corporate dystopianisn seems to be a good way for me to translate it to a broader audience, as well the flaws within it through the little imperfections in this piece. It's clean, it's inhuman, emotionless, it's a one size fits all experience, mostly. There is this idea that technology will shape our future, and it will one day take over of our jobs, necessities. I don't like the idea of technology controlling our lives, and telling us what to do as if it knows what I want to do with my life and feelings. Though big tech companies always pride themselves to be "perfect" when there is a lot wrong with them when it comes to their products, and as well as their ethics.”