Feelings Inc. delves into the delicate interplay of vulnerability and connection in online matchmaking, digital companionship and beyond. The project does not take an explicit position for or against the right or possibility to have a certain emotional relationship with a non-human (machine). Rather, it tries to form an opinion about the possible polarising effects that this could trigger. It attempts to understand the meaning and implications of individualisation that is developed through exponential usage and normalisation of non-human (machine) relationships. The focus extends beyond dating apps to include embodied AI chatbots like Replika, where people fall in love with an avatar created by Luka inc. The user can experience emotional loss when the newest update caused a data loss...
The international selection of artists spans different generations - from the very now to historical perspectives about our emotional bonds with the algorithm.
Artists: Marie Munk (DK), Inès Sieulle (FR), !Mediengruppe Bitnik (CH), Arvida Byström (SE), Olga Morano (FR/IT), Lawrence Lek (DE), Lynn Hershman Leeson (USA), Ariane Loze (BE), Vytas Jankauskas (CH), Paul Van Hoeydonck (BE).
Curated by Thierry Vandenbussche & Ferre Vander Elst (Privacy Salon)
Opening Thursday 9 January
Giulia Lazzara and Edward De Brouwer will kick off with a performance: "A machine told you to fall in love and you fell for it."
19:00 opening exhibition
20:00 performance: Giulia Lazzara & Edward De Brouwer
