Gender Shell is an AR installation designed to visualize the experience of gender classification. It is part of the research project Labeling: The Reflective Design of Socialized Gender Classification, which includes three reflective design and social experiment installations.


Installation 1: “Gender Shell”


Technology originates from humanity, and what it builds reflects the majority's perspective. Under this premise, what body shell should we embody? How does the majority of databases perceive our biological appearance? When confronted with the reflection of societal expectations, which gender shell would our biological sex be associated with? This work explores these questions by classifying participants' gender using an unsupervised machine learning algorithm. The system displays the participant’s image alongside a mosaic of faces it deems similar, revealing how, without relying on human-labeled datasets, the machine organizes faces into groups. This challenges us to reflect on how technology interprets and reinforces social perceptions of identity.


[DESIGN PROCESS]
We gathered responses from 61 participants about the first descriptions that came to mind when they saw the words Male and Female. To minimize bias, we used a questionnaire for data collection.


[DESIGN IDEA]
In this setup, when the camera detects a participant's face, the answers are displayed as text in a Windows 2007-style interface. Random facial expressions trigger varying on-screen responses. The semi-transparent glitch texture in the background blurs the line between reality and the virtual. Inspired by facial recognition system and the theory of Gender Performativity by Judith Butler, the mosaic mask design transitions from blurry to clear as faces are detected, as is neither essential nor biologically determined, but rather it is created by its own performance ’.

In today’s digital age, social media platforms have become key spaces for self-expression and creativity. Among the most captivating forms of expression are augmented reality (AR) filters, which allow users to transform their photos and videos with interactive, playful effects. I wanted to use this emerging medium to explore the intersection of humanity and machines, and how this dynamic shapes our perception of identity and reality.


An experimental project to explore the expanded cyber identity, all filters designed and developed by me.



[ One More Robot ]

Influenced by Ghost in the Shell, I was drawn to the concept of cybernetics and the blurred boundaries between human and technology. Driven by a desire to explore this concept, I created this augmented reality effect that visually splits the face, reflecting themes of identity and transformation in the digital age.

[ /ǫᴎiɘdoɘᴎ/ ]

Neo being: Reflections on Growth provides glimpses into the lives of humans navigating a futuristic world in 2047..

Featuring poignant screen text quotes from one of my favorite sci-fi movies, 2001: A Space Odyssey the experience begins with the iconic words:

Good afternoon, gentlemen.

I am a HAL 9000 computer.

I became operational at the H.A.L. plant in Urbana, Illinois on the 12th of January 1992.

The face cover features a transparent, half-concealed metal mask with dual light reflections. The black stone near the ear pays homage to the monolith in 2001: A Space Odyssey—a symbol of enlightenment that inspires humankind to pursue technological advancement and space exploration.