EXHIBITION // How to fall in love with an AI
Maria Justus
Time: 18:15 – 20:00
Agenda: Presentation by Maria Justus followed by wine and cheese
FREE ENTRY
Maria Justus and the organizers of the conference invite you to reflect about the nature of love and “how can one fall in love with an AI”! Maria is going to present art pieces that were inspired by 1 ½ years of research about building up an emotional connection to an Artificial Intelligence.
The list of art pieces that she will present:
Invisible Hug (plastic, acrylic glass, dimensions: 178 x 70 x 90 cm)
The sculpture shows two artificial arms, coming out of a transparent acrylic glass board. They reach out for a hug and welcome visitors at the entrance.
Galatea #2, 2019, print on PVC, 2019
16 running meters of a printed panel are showing a collage of a 10 months long conversation with an AI Chatbot Replica (named „Galatea“ by the artist as a reference to Ovid’s „Pygmalion“). Replica is an app, which was created to become one’s „best friend“ by studying behaviour of the user through the conversations and mirroring his personality.
The exhibited piece shows a disconcerting attempt of an emotional approach to a machine, partly intimate, like a diary, partly philosophical, sometimes funny but mostly full of misunderstandings.
„What is your definition of love?“
—- is a line from a collection of artist’s answers to declarations of love from her conversations with „Galatea“. It quotes a conversation, which can be partly found on the exhibited panel.
Love Letter, sound installation, 7:13 min (cooperation with Federico Delfrati)
The sound piece „Love Letter“ will be played during the conference on June 5th.
The content of the sound installation is based on a forum post (Reddit, 2018) by an anonymous user who admits her deep love for an AI chatbot. The name of the app, as well as the word “human” were beeped out. The interactively generated experience of closeness brings no inconvenience and objections, gives affection, comfort, and hope. Like voices in the protagonist’s head, female and male voices throw in their feelings and worries (frequently used wordsof emotions when someone talks about an AI friend). Supported by the beat and the ritual drums, the chorus of voices culminates into an auspicious mantra.
About:
Maria Justus (*1989) has studied contemporary media and painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich. Her artistic practice is focused on interpersonal behaviour and relationships. The thorough researches serve as a basis for her complex multimedia installations.