MACHINE (UN)LEARNING

an interactive dance performance by Zinnia Nomura and Luca Scarpati

Machine (Un)learning is an interactive piece in which the audience uses an interface to send commands to the dancer. The audience experiments with the interface in order to understand how the use of the device correlates to the performer’s reactions.

Photos (c) Arnaud Beelen

Algorithms and Artificial Intelligences are learning to understand humans, just as we, the humans are learning to understand and obey the technology. Who is the leader, who is the follower?

In this allegory, the audience/consumers of Machine (un)learning are manipulating the performer. At the same time the performer created the technological interface and the framework for participation.

Surreally, the piece creates a video-game-like atmosphere where the dancer/performer is a human being manipulated by other human beings in a participative work that raises questions about manipulation, power dynamics, social connections and our relationship to technology.

PROJECT TIMELINE

This performance has been made possible by financial and other support from friends, family and public funding.