Emoplux

The video Silicon Islands and War invites us to consider an alternative history of photography in relation to the semiconductor industry – one that spans from the first digital sensors to smartphone photography and today’s AI-generated images.

Referencing Silicon Valley in the U.S., “Silicon Island” is the name given to the industrial hub on Japan’s Kyushu Island, which produces highly competitive semiconductors for the global market. “Silicon” also refers to the material on which these components are etched, pushed to the nanoscale to enhance computing power (Moore’s Law) and enable high-resolution imagery.

The images here depict collapse, remnants of past civilizations left in ruins. They evoke visions of natural disasters and floods, underscoring the urgency of the present moment