Stephanie Deumer Illuminates The Intersection Of Art, Technology, And Social Change

Photo: Stephanie Deumer in her studio, sitting thoughtfully at a vibrant orange table, embodies the meticulous creativity and intellectual depth that define her groundbreaking works exploring art, technology, and societal transformation.

Exploring Gender, Media, And Innovation Through Boundary-Defying Installations

Stephanie Deumer challenges societal norms with installations that merge art and technology, exploring gender biases, media representation, and the transformative potential of video to spark critical dialogue and reflection.

Stephanie Deumer is an artist of extraordinary vision and relevance, whose work transcends traditional boundaries to address some of the most pressing issues of our time. Her installations are a compelling fusion of artistry and inquiry, tackling the complex intersections of language, media, technology, and gender with a fearless intellectual rigor. Deumer’s ability to question the status quo and weave together seemingly disparate ideas speaks to the depth of her creative genius and unrelenting curiosity. She does more than merely reflect the world around us—she dissects it, reshapes it, and challenges us to reconsider the very systems that define our lives.

From her thought-provoking exploration of gendered biases in technology to her mesmerizing video installation Under the Same Sun, Deumer taps into the transformative potential of art to inspire critical reflection and dialogue. Her innovative use of materials, coupled with her incisive critique of societal norms, results in works that are both visually arresting and conceptually profound. Deumer invites her audiences to look beyond the surface, urging them to confront the hidden power structures and coded assumptions embedded in the technologies and media we interact with daily.

In this issue of WOWwART, Stephanie Deumer offers an intimate and inspiring glimpse into her artistic trajectory, revealing the motivations and philosophies behind her groundbreaking body of work. From her early academic pivot from biophysics to visual art, to her pivotal experiences at the Whitney Independent Study Program, Deumer’s journey is as compelling as her creations. Her reflections remind us of how art can serve as both a critical lens and a beacon for imagining ethical futures in an increasingly mediated world. Prepare to immerse yourself in a conversation with an artist who is not just reshaping the boundaries of art but reimagining the possibilities of innovation, representation, and resistance.

Stephanie Deumer is an unparalleled force in contemporary art, blending intellect and creativity to redefine how we engage with technology.

Growing up in Canada, what shaped your perspective on art and informed your exploration of complex social issues in your work?

I had a keen interest in science and technology alongside art while growing up. I enrolled in a biophysics program for my undergraduate studies with the intention of becoming an fMRI technologist. However, feeling increasingly dissatisfied with the institution of science—in part due to gender disparities—I decided to change my major midway through to the visual arts. Regardless of my shift in studies, science and technology have remained a crucial through-line in my artistic practice. I think the exploration of social issues in my work, or at least my awareness of it, came after attending graduate school in the USA.

“I often wonder who is behind the creation of technologies and what assumptions, biases, and structures are coded into them.”– Stephanie Deumer

Your installations weave together diverse elements—what sparks your inspiration for these connections, and how do you choose the themes you want to explore?

The themes I explore in my work are derived from daily life experiences. I often wonder who is behind the creation of technologies and products and what assumptions, biases, and structures are coded into them. For example, my interactions with digital assistants like Apple’s Siri and Amazon’s Alexa made me question why genderless assistant technologies are assigned female by default. This led me to create a video titled Spooky Action at a Distance. My research often leads to diverse areas that may not seem connected at first, but the core issues at hand bind them together. For instance, Spooky Action at a Distance heavily features footage of magic tricks—particularly the vanishing woman trick, where a magician’s assistant is made to disappear. In both the magician’s assistant and the digital assistant, I saw a similar spectral feminine entity that was created to appear and disappear on command in a role of perpetual servitude.

“Language and media are huge factors in shaping societal constructs… The way things are represented impacts how we perceive our roles, rights, and place in the world.” – Stephanie Deumer

In what ways do you think language and media play a role in shaping societal perceptions of scientific and technological advancements, especially concerning women’s rights?

Language and media are huge factors in shaping societal constructs. Just like verbal and written language, visual media is language too, and the way things are represented impacts how we perceive our roles, rights, and place in the world. For instance, historically, “man” and “he/him” were words used to refer to humankind, and currently, image search engines show more results of males than females in occupations such as “Doctor” and “Programmer.” This lack of women’s representation is not inconsequential: it is a marker of past gender disparities, and it also continues to perpetuate them.

Reflecting on your experience at the Whitney Independent Study Program, what unique insights or approaches did you gain that you feel set your work apart?

During my time at the Whitney Independent Study Program, I began seriously considering my experiences with gender and technology. I was influenced by many conversations and lectures in the program, such as with Cassandra Guan and Laura Mulvey. Yvonne Rainer’s perspectives on editing and framing in film were particularly influential, as well as Hito Steyerl’s phrase “represented to pieces,” referring to the paradoxical and omnipresent nature of digital image-making today.
 
“Under the Same Sun” received significant recognition in 2023. What narrative or message do you hope resonates with viewers through this installation, and how do you envision it impacting their understanding of the subject?

I think Under the Same Sun can come across as post-apocalyptic with its underground bunker-like quality and self-sustaining simulated environment. However, when I made the work, I was interested in what the medium of video could do beyond just showing imagery, particularly in its materiality of being light-based and time-based. That’s how I ended up using video as an artificial light source in a utilitarian way, where it provides plants with sustenance. One thing that I hope resonates with this work is the incredible transformative power that materials have: video reproduction can be used to achieve biological reproduction.

As an educator at the University of Washington, how do you blend your artistic endeavors with teaching, and what do you hope students take away from your courses on digital art and new media?

While I embrace digital art and new media, and I hope to inspire students to do the same, I teach with a healthy amount of skepticism and critical theory around these mediums. We are in an era where we are rethinking how the fast-paced and quickly evolving technological and mediated world is affecting us. This leads to new challenging explorations and territories for artists. I think it’s important to balance innovation and excitement around technology with social and ethical considerations. As artists and teachers, we are not exempt from this responsibility. I also promote multifaceted and cross-disciplinary approaches in my classes, the same way my work pulls together diverse elements. 

EDITOR’S NOTE

Stephanie Deumer’s “Under the Same Sun” (2022) masterfully bridges environmental awareness and innovative design. Set against a striking desert backdrop, the partially underground installation harmonizes with its natural surroundings, inviting reflection on sustainability and human interaction with nature. The architectural piece, designed with intriguing elements like a grid canopy and sunken pathways, feels both contemporary and timeless. The presence of traditionally dressed figures enhances the cultural and social layers of its narrative, creating a dialogue between humanity and the environment. “Under the Same Sun” exemplifies Deumer’s commitment to blending art, architecture, and ecological mindfulness into a unified, thought-provoking experience.