The Self that Still Survives

Abstract

The Self that Still Survives explores the quiet erosion of identity in a world increasingly defined by speed, efficiency, and artificial intelligence. It reflects on the gradual loss of the spontaneous human spark of creativity, an essence that thrives on flaws, mistakes, and imperfection. Inspired by surrealist art, particularly the work of Salvador Dalí, the piece employs the imagery of a melting figure and static flowers to embody the tension between the organic self and the synthetic forces shaping contemporary life. This transformation symbolises the gradual dissolution of emotional depth and individuality as creative practices become aligned with idealised standards of perfection. In line with the theme SUSTAINAISSANCE: Emotion, Expression, Identity, the work provokes reflection on what is being preserved in an age that prioritises efficiency over authenticity. It questions whether the emotional and creative dimensions that define human experience can be sustained, or whether they will quietly dissipate in the pursuit of optimisation and technological progress. Ultimately, this piece invites a reconsideration of sustainability not merely as productivity or innovation, but as the preservation of emotional integrity, individuality, and human presence within an increasingly automated creative landscape.