Valis

Science Man

Valentin Godard (FR)

“He welds circuits / and codes all night / Science-man! He makes robots / secretly in his lab, Science-man! He mixes chemicals / without any technical problems, Science-man!” Part human, part dog, Science-Man is a fictional character who is embodied in various ways: newspaper, comics, performances, figurines, etc. He is halfway between our reality and a sensitive and complex technological future.

Forever 27 Club

Ophélie Demurger (FR)

Through videos and performances, I will attempt to find the common essence that I have with the various members of the “Forever 27 Club” – singers who died at the apex of their career – in the hope of finding the keys that will lead me to success. I started this work when I was 24 years old; I now only have two years and a few months left until I too reach that age. Here is my life’s punchline: three years to succeed or die.

Sensory autonomy

Ophélie Demurger (FR), Valentin Godard (FR)

A microphone recorder has slipped in between whispers and the ear canal. Those who operated from afar are now before your eyes: the humanoids of BoTaG are there for you. Enigmatic and secret creatures, they then return behind their screens, for a filmed ASMR session that is broadcasted continuously throughout the duration of the exhibition.

Sigils

Alix Desaubliaux (FR)

In Sigils, a speculative archeology takes place in an abandoned metal factory. Industrial blueprints gathered on the spot as well as exchanges between engineers and commercials, clients and operators host new fictions where obsolescence sets up a magical dimension. From those clues and artefacts, several videographic and plastic objects are conceived: aluminum sheets laser-engraved with magical inspired drawings, generative sounds made by converting the blueprints into audio specter, and video exploration of the place.

Sas (Social Adaptation System)

Lorène Ceccon (FR)

Today, good mood is the sine qua non condition of the terrifying “soul of the company,” and inconsistency of mood is deemed unacceptable. Starting from the digital shift of the French Labor Agency, Sas is an extravagant AI which establishes an impossible dialogue with the spectator. It underlines the absurdity of automation and the normalization of our feelings, but also our confidence in a computer system that does not know what it is calculating.

Ether

Alain Barthélémy (FR)

Ether is a video presenting a technical device producing the 27 bones of the right hand. This 3D animation, which resembles a didactic document, seems to be promoting an innovative technology. There is certainly a rapprochement here with vanity. However, if the classic subject of art history is intended to present the irony of human existence trapped in a putrescible body, the vanity here would be that of a cyborg, a being who seems to be able to escape the ravages of time.

De toujours tu seras l'antépénultième peril

Kévin Ardito (FR)

This sculptural and musical installation diffuses cover versions of Billy Joel’s song Honesty. It uses digital and robotic media to question our relationship with transparency and lies in an entertaining and mischievous way: skull-shaped robots singing a song about honesty. The recorded voices lend some warmth to the robotic coldness of the artwork by adding an organic element to the robots, blurring assessments of identity or the reasons for their presence. The background simulates an Aurora Borealis, which is reflected on the skulls and the surrounding environment.

Ultimate Cavefighter in outer space: SC Deluxe Multiplayer Edition

Damien Baïs (FR), Thomas Barbé (FR)

The final assault has begun! In the bowels of a dark planet, you have to destroy the ultimate evil. But to succeed in your quest, you need to develop collective strategies to defeat opponents. Cavefighter is inspired by the “fixed shooter” video games of the 80’s. To enter the game, the player must connect to the “Cavefighter” WIFI network and download the Cavefighter application (Android only) that serves as a joystick.

Listening capsules (light version)

Thomas Barbé (FR), the Random(lab)

Our body is a tactile receiver of all musical waves: we perceive them through our skin, muscles, nerves, bones, etc. The listening capsules immerse the viewer in “somesthetic” compositions generated live by an algorithm. The intention is to take the listener out of his usual sound environment in order to invite him to renew his listening experience. These waves, sinusoidal frequencies, are composed and synthesized generatively by a software specifically developed for the installation, the sinoto.

VALIS

Digital Research Unit in Art and Design at the Esad Saint-Étienne/Ensba Lyon

For this first presentation in the framework of Ars Electronica, we chose to explore concepts of “science-fiction,” considered as a domain that provides forms but also imaginary elements to be renewed. The exhibition presented here is therefore a first approach which summons various references to fields such as archeology, music, robotics or video games, passing through several experiments with media (code, 3D, sound, performance, deep learning …). VALIS “Vast Living Intelligent System” is a reference to the late work of Philip K. Dick.