This project was initiated by Gluon and media artist Noemi Iglesias, together with Radix, the Liga for Human Rights and Knowledge Centre Data and Society (KDM). The project questions the desirability and value of surveillance systems in the city of Brussels.
Project description
As part of this residency, Noemi will realise an artistic A.I. surveillance system that does just the opposite of what these systems are made for; namely, detecting affective relationships between people on the streets of Brussels. The system analyses people walking together, kissing, hugging or holding hands. The data generated by this system generates an emotional map of Brussels that detects the most loving streets in the city. Together with technological experts from Radix, we will develop an A.I. tool that records behavior patterns that are socially assumed to be affective. With the Knowledge Centre Data and Society and the League for Human Rights, we then develop a participatory programme. We place the artistic installation in the streets of Brussels and engage in discussions with passers-by about the functioning of such A.I. systems. These performances provoke critical discussions while leading to an emotional recording of the street. The results of the project; a mobile installation and an emotional map of Brussels (shown via application or on screen), which will be presented and discussed in a series of exhibitions, symposiums and workshops.
About the artist
Noemi Iglesias (1987) is a Spanish artist working with sculptural media and long-durational performative formats. She is a clear example of contemporary nomadism: since 2009 the artist has lived and worked in Greece, England, Finland, Italy, Hungary, China and Korea.
In 2019 she finished her Master Degree at the Tainan National University of the Arts, where she researched on contemporary ceramic practices for the last 3 years thanks to the Taiwan ROC Scholarship from the Taiwanese government.
Related links
Article in BRUZZ: ‘Met een camera meten hoeveel mensen knuffelen’
