Topics For Conversation
Year: 2019
Material: Acrylic, Chipboard, Projection, AI
Size: 10'x10'
Question: What happens when conversational topics constantly change?
About Topics For Conversation
"Topics For Conversation" (2019) by XenoFluff is an innovative amalgamation of traditional techniques and advanced technology, bringing together elements of integrated media art and conceptual art.
At the core of this installation is an early language model AI—a Markov Chain—that generates text from XenoFluff's own writings. This creates a dynamic and continuously shifting string of conversations, reflecting the quickly changing nature of dialogue in our fast-paced world. As visitors engage in discussions about the generated text, they inadvertently contribute to the ever-changing 'conversation' displayed on the wall.
Beneath the projected text, four small paintings done in acrylic on chipboard stand at an angle against the curved wall. The contrast between the traditional acrylic paintings and the digital projection imbues the work with a rich, multi-faceted texture.
XenoFluff enhances the viewers' engagement and the interactive nature of the piece by projecting the probability of each sentence's generation live via a Raspberry Pi. This effectively collapses the distance between the artwork and the viewer, creating a more intimate, participatory and reflexive experience. The probability display offers a rare glimpse into the internal workings of the AI, leading to a deeper understanding and provoking discussions on the blend of art, language, and technology.
In "Topics For Conversation," XenoFluff continues to challenge and re-define the boundaries of contemporary art practices. The dynamic, interactive nature of the artwork invites viewers to actively participate in and contribute to the exploration of language and communication in the digital age, thereby emphasizing the growing significance of interactive and immersive experiences in contemporary art.
