”Clouded Consciousness: Sand as a Communication Interface between Interactive Technologies and the Subconscious Mind

The present article1 explores the connection between contemporary technological advancements (cloud systems) and Carl Jung’s concept of the collective unconscious. With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), there is a growing need to have a deeper understanding of cyberpsychology while also engaging in conversations around the ethics of technology and data ownership and privacy. Clouded Consciousness is an interactive art installation that uses sand as a communication interface between the subconscious mind and the cloud. Carl Jung’s work is used to understand and classify data we leave behind in the digital realm, revealing subconscious behavior patterns. The intention is to invent a special kind of search engine, distinct from those exploiting personal data for targeted ads. Instead, it invites users to discover insights about their subconscious mind, fostering self-awareness and prompting reflection on the motivations behind their online searches. By writing in the sand snippets of information that are usually stored in the cloud, like online activity or internet searches, users can connect with their archetype and explore a personalized interplay of projected mandalas, generated by AI. This article employs a multidisciplinary approach and investigates how the digital era resonates with Jung’s theories. The aim of the research is to uncover the potential for the digital landscape to evoke and amplify archetypal motifs, influencing individual and collective thought patterns.