CONNECTED
Rediscovering Nature and Human Connection in the City
While living in Leeds, I observed how urban life had consumed people, most glued to their devices and disconnected from genuine human interaction. This inspired me to create a short, thought-provoking film titled Disconnected, aimed at exploring how young people would respond to the idea of reducing their phone usage. The film was shown to university students to spark discussion: Would it inspire them to spend less time on their devices? While the response was positive, most admitted they were unlikely to change their phone habits and would probably continue using them in the same way.
This feedback shaped the next phase of my project, a public performance where I became the smart phone distraction myself. The performance aimed to go beyond technology addiction, emphasising the importance of love for the environment and reminding people of deeper, more meaningful connections with each other and the natural world. We ran through the streets in grass costumes, handing out flowers and seeds. Even in the busiest parts of the city, there's still room for connection and a little bit of greenery.
"The flâneuse is not merely a female flâneur, but a figure who defies the restrictions placed on her, forging a path of her own through the urban landscape."
— Lauren Elkin
