THE SUNSCREEN CONSPIRACY:
WHAT’S GOING ON?
The Sunscreen Conspiracy is a media-based conceptual sound art project reexamining histories of imposing narratives through the reproduction of conspiracy as artistic genre. The Sunscreen Conspiracy exists in its initial phase on Instagram, but is seeking a new life as its own algorithmic world in the form of an immersive website to document the adventures of La’Vender Freddy, the time-traveling gumshoe who has curated these historical files. Archival audio is remastered with La’Vender’s sonic influence, creating new listening experiences for those willing to tune in. Through these investigations, La’Vender compiles evidence to resolve the American singer/songwriter Marvin Gaye’s query/statement: “What’s Going On.” La’Vender’s presence is a provocation seeking to expose, unveil, and recreate historical happenings that have culminated into our current culture. However, Instagram has failed to support their most ambitious adventures due to censorship. To overcome this obstacle, La’Vender will construct their own website engaging users through games, archival exploration, sound art, and daily insights triggered through users opting to receive notifications to their devices. The website will display an interactive map of where La’Vender has been throughout the Common Era timeline and on the planet, and intends to expand into the extraterrestrial as they encounter cultural figures conducting intergalactic commercial travel. It will also include documentation of La’Vender in the material world in the form of in-person interviews with artists and thinkers who are also getting at Gaye’s expression: “What’s Going On.” The Sunscreen Conspiracy will be an ongoing archival project until the question is answered.