iConfess

Shown 9 to 19 June 2022 at Assembly House, Leeds

HD video installation with sound, sculptural installation, website

iConfess asks what sinning looks like in a world devoted to data. A new religion, christened Dataism, worships data as the highest source of meaning in the universe. So what would be considered a sin in this new religion? Blocking cookies? That’s a sin. Hiding your location? That’s a sin. Burning down 5G towers? That’s a mortal sin. 

The video was made through participatory workshops with the Saturday Art Club at University of Leeds and the Youth Collective at Leeds Art Gallery, with a soundtrack created by Joseph Marcus and Matti Scott. The young people featured in the film were chosen specifically for their unique connection with their digital devices and the internet. 

Influenced by a Catholic upbringing, iConfess situates the British relationship with data within the Catholic traditions of faith, sin, confession and absolution.

Made possible with funding from Arts Council England and Leeds Inspired.

Click here to read more about Screen Time - a special screening event alongside iConfess, showing films from five artists, followed by a panel discussion and Q&A.

Photos by Jules Lister.