Hello Hi There is an experimental installation which uses 2 computers and a TV. The television shows the recording of a famous debate shown in the 1970s between Michal Foucault and Noam Chomsky, ['Human Nature: Justice versus Power'], whilst the two computers have been given 'chatbots' in order for them to have a 'conversation' with the dabate as the starting and focal point.
The chatbots had been fed the contents of the debate and programmed to have an informed discussion about the subjects raised within the televised debate. The bots had also been given various other texts and words from many sources including YouTube, The Bible and Shakespeare.
The entire 50 minute-long installation is this 'conversation'. It's mechanical and robotic of course, but the bots had been given a voice too, one male and one female. And so, as they 'type' on the screens behind them, they also 'speak' the words. Each performance is unique as there are over 80 million ways in which this 'conversation' could go.
The installation, besides being an interesting experiemnet does highlight and illustrate to what extent humans can be replaced by computers, which personally I find very frihgtening! But when you hear two computers 'talking' to each other about humanism and the power of human nature, philosophy and a belief in human virtues, the whole becomes quite sinister and surreal.
In the 21st century one has to accept that digital art does have a place within the industry, but this 'show' goes beyond those boundaries, and offers a humorous, light-hearted look at a very scary possible future!
The production was premiered for The Steierische Herbst Festival in Graz, Austria in 2010, and directed by Annie Dorsen. This dialogue on vimeo as part of The International Online Theatre Festival was recorded at The Experimental Media And Performing Arts Center in Troy, New York, USA. in 2012.
Reviewer - Matthew Dougall
on - 20/5/20
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