Xuhan Gu
About
Xuhan Gu focuses on exploring the relationship between people and objects. She believes that people construct many systems from their individual understanding of the world and create them into objects. And the physical properties of these objects also affect people’s behavior and consciousness. In this graduation project, her research object is the most common button switch in daily life. The intervention of the button switch allows us to control beyond all power effortlessly. The sense of control generated by pressing forces culture, nature and machines to succumb to a single press of human fingers. The button is a symbol that blurs the boundaries between skills, status and expertise. She wants to explore how this binary control is inseparable from social, life and cultural forces. Is pressing buttons a desirable or dangerous form of interacting with the world?
Xuhan Gu focuses on exploring the relationship between people and objects. People create objects, building systems from our own understanding of the world and turning them into things. The physical properties of these objects can control people’s behavior and consciousness. Sometimes you think you are controlling an object, but in fact this object is also controlling you. We live in a world of manipulation and being manipulated. How do the physical properties of objects affect human behavior and consciousness?
In this graduation project, Xuhan Gu research object is the most common button switch in daily life. The sense of control generated by pressing, forces culture, nature, and machines to succumb to a single action of a human finger. The intervention of the button switch allows us to control beyond all power effortlessly. She wants to explore how binary control is inseparable from social and cultural forces. Is pressing buttons a desirable or dangerous form of interacting with the world?
Content Warning
The content on this website may contain themes and materials that some users find distressing or offensive. Further, the content on this website may not be suitable for individuals under the age of 18. User discretion is advised.
Any views and opinions expressed in this student profile represent the views and opinions of the student and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Royal College of Art or its employees or affiliates. The appearance of any views or opinions on this page do not constitute endorsement of those views by the Royal College of Art. This student profile has been made available for informational purposes only. The Royal College of Art does not make any representations or warranties with regard to the accuracy of any information provided in this student profile, nor does it warrant the performance, effectiveness or applicability of any listed or linked sites. The Royal College of Art is not responsible for the content submitted by any user, or for the defamatory, offensive or illegal conduct of any user. If you wish to report any errors or inappropriate material that may cause offence, please email feedback@rca.ac.uk