'Deja Vu' Exhibition: Exploring the human-machine relationship
Updated 21:20, 20-Aug-2019
We begin today with an art exhibition in the capital that explores the evolving relationship between humans and machines. In the "Deja Vu" exhibition, artists ask what AI will look like in the future, and whether machines will take over or become a part of us. CGTN's Shen Li reports.
"The most profound technologies are those that disappear. They weave themselves into the fabric of everyday life until they are indistinguishable from it." Computer scientist Mark Weiser's prophecy echoes throughout the "Deja Vu" exhibition at Beijing's Today Art Museum. In the exhibition, 13 artists look at technologies like AI's origins in history and culture, AI in use today, and ways in which technology is set to change in the future.
LONG XINGRU CURATOR, 'DEJA VU' "On one hand, the exhibition tells a story of algorithms developing from abstract to ever more capable physical embodiments, to taking over mankind. On the other, when reading in reverse, it starts with an omnipotent machine contemplating its origins, gradually returning to binary code. Nowadays we're surrounded by all kinds of smart devices and technologies. These artists, they are like novelists and reporters, trying to depict the subtle and complicated connections between human and machine."
SHEN LI TODAY ART MUSEUM, BEIJING "The exhibition is a great example of how science and technology have not only made great contributions to the development of humanity, it has also made great strides when it comes to art."
One installation highlights the dominant presence of computer algorithms in the financial market. When visitors touch the piece, the artwork sings from a database of financial transactions in a mezzo soprano voice.
Another installation, titled "Human Studies", features two robots making sketches of visitors. According to their creator Patrick Tresset, they are more than just a copy machine, they are designed with an "autonomous artistic creativity".
Deja Vu is part of the third edition of the museum's Future of Today project. The ambitious project offers visitors deep interactive experiences in a more digitalized world. The show runs until October 24th. SL, CGTN.