During the International Week, I took part in an exciting workshop on Glitch Art. It wasn’t just about digital errors or distortions, but also about analog glitches, artistic accidents that happen “by mistake” not on the computer, but manually and physically.
Research and Concept
Before starting, I did a lot of research on the topic. For my project, I wanted to deliberately create analog disturbances on photos without controlling the “destruction” itself. My idea was to aesthetically damage photos, while letting chance play its part.
To do this, I gathered plenty of inspiration and experimented with various chemicals like cleaners, bleach, nail polish remover, salt, and more.
The Creative Process
First, I took photos by myself, photographing my friends at university, and then edited them in black and white to create a thoughtful, unsettling mood. This fit well with the theme and the glitch aesthetic.
Next, I printed the photos using a plotter and treated them with the chemicals. The best results came from a mixture of acetone and bleach. The photos became partially discolored, etched away, or even dissolved creating images that tell stories of disruption and change.
Video as a Visual Extension
To capture the process, I filmed everything, sped up the footage, and then edited it in After Effects. There, I added typical digital glitch elements like error messages and loading circles, reinforcing the theme and linking the analog errors with a digital layer.
What the Project Means
The project deals with hard-to-define emotional and interpersonal states such as the search for meaning or the feeling of being too slow or left behind. These experiences are often vague and difficult to articulate. Technical error messages serve as a parallel: moments when connections are lost, responses fail, or processes get interrupted.
The visible alterations on the photographs (discolorations, etched-away areas) reflect ongoing change and disruption as natural parts of life. Errors and glitches are not exceptions but part of a continuous process.
My learning
This experiment was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed inviting unpredictability into my creative process. I’m very satisfied with the outcome, not only because it looks visually interesting but also because it carries a message I strongly identify with.
This combination of artistic process, personal reflection, and technical execution showed me how much expression and depth can be found in so-called “mistakes” both analog and digital.
