Marie Ebel

// Plural Identity - part2 //

In this class, I aimed to keep exploring and working on the project I initiated last semester. The conclusion that I drew out of that first attempt is the obvious duality between the objective science and subjective feelings.

But this duality quickly appeared as integral as necessary. I decided then to focus my research on the conceptual bridge that would connect this two entities Parallay, I engaged the process of ethnicity analysis through DNA sample.

I signed up for MyHeritage online company. My previous researches provided me a solid background in that matter, which allows me to suspect the very unprofessional and speculative work of those companies. I was curious to know and confront my personal knowledge with the work of this company, leader in that market.

Once I ordered my kit, I received the package couple of days later. My first impression regarding this is the fact that the marketing part is going over the scientific professionalism. It is absolutely well designed, with trendy colors and fashionable graphics.

Once my results got published, my suspicions got confirmed, as their analysis results are ridiculously wrong (except for one point). It speculates that I have origins from Irland, together with the Balkans, Scandinavians and the Middle East, which personal researches continuing my family tree over 2 centuries confirmed wrong. Also, there are no signs of French either German, which makes absolutely no sense.

Another critic that must be made is the huge confusion between ethnicity, nationality, regionalism, and religion. Basic common sense suffices to read the inaccuracy of this work. In fact, how does this company differ "Italian" from "Sicilian" ethnicity ? or how can it assumes that your personal faith (Jewish) will be written in your DNA ? Those amalgams highly discredit the work of this company, which is hard to believe made by scientists.

https://www.myheritage.com/dna/results/521626411

I resolved then to articulate my thoughts through an installation, which will highlight the connection between science and personal feelings. The installation consisted of two videos, one from an old CRT TV and one coming from a video projector. The latter video (coming from the video projector) is projected on the TV screen, itself playing on a video; creating thus a sculptural effect. The old TV takes place as a metaphor for my own representation, while the design video projector stands for my researches and knowledge.

I made various tests to visualize the feasibility of my ideas.

Final Outcome