FESTIVAL IZIS

“Apes are our closest relatives and are commonly seen as a symbol of our evolution”.

The work takes us on a metaphorical exploration of our digital evolution, by navigating through the topics of cybersecurity, data consumption, surveillance capitalism, disinformation, behavior modification, and energy demands. It investigates the benefits and dilemmas that the new digital transformation brings to our society.

APES is a collection of kinetic sound sculptures resembling primates. They are made out of recycled WI-FI sector antennas. The sculptures are driven by algorithms showing dynamic counters of data consumption and cyberattacks: from Facebook likes, Google searches, tinder swipes, internet energy consumed and emails sent, to the adverse cyber events happening in real-time. The data is analyzed and translated into sound and movements. 

When the counters hit certain key numbers, the sculptures release sonic events composed by an AI trained to deep fake the calls of real apes. These sonic events are modulated in real-time by the data speed and diffused as a quadraphonic audio experience using the body of the APES as a resonating chamber.

The exhibition displays the kinetic sound sculptures as well as audio and video interviews collected during the research with scientists and experts associated with the project.