THEMES OF IDENTITY & CONNECTION
BY LENA PIVEN
Welcome to the world of Lena Piven's portfolio, where storytelling and gaming intertwine with themes of identity and connection. My portfolio explores these themes through twine games, a website, and a scholarly presentation that analyze texts and film.
Portfolio
Manifesto
This is a Neocities website that considers and imagines a new sphere of digital media and how it can be better utilized.
Click here for my neocities website
Theory Presentation
For the whole presentation, click here
This is a presentation about Black feminism, which is a social and political movement that addresses the intersectionality and multifaceted aspects of oppressions against Black women. This term is different from white feminism or typical mainstream feminism because it focuses on Black women.
These are some of the books that helped me understand Black feminism during my research!
Twine Games
A twine is a choose-your-own-adventure game. My twines are essay-style that analyze texts, films, or I write about my own life experiences.
I chose to create twines because I enjoy game-making and I thought twines were a fun and interactive way to create and write rather than writing in essay form. My twines give the player many choices, so if the player does not resonate with the game, they can take a break or even leave if they choose to. These twines, especially "Mixed: Half or Whole?", take the player into my world, so if the player finds themselves uninterested or does not want to learn about my lived experience, that is ok because they have the agency to leave. Or they can choose to continue and walk away from the game knowing more than they did before they started!
Algorithm
Click here to play this twine
This twine explores different types of algorithms
Haunting
Click here to play this twine
This twine is titled “Patterns of Connection Across Digital Culture” because it explores We're All Going to the World's Fair and “‘Platform Realism’, AI Image Synthesis and the Rise of Generic Visual Content”. Both of these pieces of media are very distinct examples of the ways in which different forms of media can create connection. Both of them evoke feelings of loss and the need for connection, especially in modern-day society. The twine takes the player through the film's storyline, especially key points where I think connection and loss are prevalent. I will also explore the article and how some of the topics discussed are great examples of haunting and connection. The player can also read about my opinions on both media. Although this is a short game, the player will have the option to take breaks if needed and read about other forms of digital media that I am constantly interacting with.
Mixed: Half or Whole?
Click here to play this twine
The intent behind my algorithm is to help multiracial people feel like they belong, especially when it seems impossible. I wanted to make this twine fun, informative, and interesting by sprinkling in some stories from my life while also giving the player the agency to take breaks or learn a new self-care tip. The player has the option to allow themeslevs a minute to breathe, whether they feel frustrated or they just simply need a break from reading. I share some of my real-life experiences that may be relatable or for a non-mixed player to learn a little bit about what it is like to be multiracial, through my experiences. The stories I decided to include are ones that I think are important in my coming to terms with my identity, or ones that may be universal experiences. I write about some negative encounters that I have experienced throughout my entire life and then I attempt to tie them together by sharing how I resisted by creating something for me and my multiracial peers. My goal is to help other interracial people feel seen and hopefully less alone. I also hope that they understand that they belong in spaces where it may feel like they don’t. And that being mixed does not mean you are only half of something, but you are fully black, or whatever your race may be.
Connect with Lena Piven
Get In Touch
For inquiries, collaborations, or because you are curious, feel free to reach out and connect with Lena Piven. She is here to assist you in any way possible.