In 2023 I was part of the CODE program, initiated by the IMPAKT Centre for Media Culture in Utrecht. CODE is an initiative that brings together artists and non-artists to address the digital challenges of our time and to ensure that the general public, politicians, and decision-makers become aware of them. In this context, I had the pleasure of teaming up with the talented @leonvoldenborgh and Hennie Bulstra. Together we created the experimental dating application »clickedy.click«.
The Game
Dating is a deeply intimate affair. Those who date are willing to open themselves to the life of others — willing to endure vulnerability and compromise. A mutual agreement among those who want to mingle. An agreement to see and be seen. To desire. To judge. To rate, assume, guess. To draw conclusions. To form an opinion. And — in the best case — to fall in love. These are the rules of the game.
Dating is a deeply intimate affair. Those who date are willing to open themselves to the life of others — willing to endure vulnerability and compromise. A mutual agreement among those who want to mingle. An agreement to see and be seen. To desire. To judge. To rate, assume, guess. To draw conclusions. To form an opinion. And — in the best case — to fall in love. These are the rules of the game.
The Concept
clickedy.click is a provocative social experiment that aims to address the current issue of unregulated, intransparent, non-consensual online user-tracking. By adopting the format of a dating platform that utilizes seductive UI/UX design patterns as its core matching-making system, we aim to place its users in a scenario where their judgment and decision-making determine their own fate and the fate of others. In doing so, we raise awareness of the anti-social, profit-driven power relations that determine the way users interact and consume content online, thereby influencing the way identities and perspectives on the world are shaped by external influences.
clickedy.click is a provocative social experiment that aims to address the current issue of unregulated, intransparent, non-consensual online user-tracking. By adopting the format of a dating platform that utilizes seductive UI/UX design patterns as its core matching-making system, we aim to place its users in a scenario where their judgment and decision-making determine their own fate and the fate of others. In doing so, we raise awareness of the anti-social, profit-driven power relations that determine the way users interact and consume content online, thereby influencing the way identities and perspectives on the world are shaped by external influences.
Exhibited 2023
CPDP, Brussels
Ars Electronica, Linz
MOZfest, Amsterdam
Betweter Festival, Utrecht
Ars Electronica, Linz
MOZfest, Amsterdam
Betweter Festival, Utrecht
Exhibited 2024
IMPAKT Festival, Utrecht
