Within Thumb Movements

The tech industry's aim to minimize friction highly influences the digital interactions we experience while using our phones. It results in users being encouraged to scroll incessantly without encountering any interruptions. Our thumb emerges as one of the most important body parts employed in these digital interactions. Mindless swiping, pressing, or holding the touchscreen demands nothing more than an effortless thumb movement. Striving for such seamless interactions with our phones raises the question of what value we should assign to the interactions we have, given the absence of friction or play.

The play 'Within Thumb Movements' challenges the value of our digital interactions by exploring the concept of friction. This exploration takes the form of a dance performance choreographed by the thumb itself. In this fifteen minute play, four dancers individually interpret thumb movements from phone interactions, each finding their own ways to convey these movements. As they seek their personal means of expression while considering each other's approaches, a playful moment is unveiled, enriching the effortless thumb movement and questioning the value of an everyday frictionless movement.

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