Vitensenteret i Trondheim
Meta.Morf 2024, August 11 – September 22
Martinus Suijkerbuijk featuring Øystein Fjeldbo
Meta.Morf 2024 – [up]Loaded Bodies / Vitensenteret i Trondheim / Aug 11 – Sep 22 /
Curator: Martin Kulhawczuk
Turing Gaia: Markov’s Umwelt (2024)
Turing Gaia: Markov’s Umwelt, is the third chapter of the ‘Turing Gaia’ project. The first chapter, the installation ‘Entering Thermodome’ is showcased at K.U.K during Meta.Morf 2024. At the opening weekend of Meta.Morf 2024 the second part of the project, Composing the ((Non)Human) is presented as an audio-visual performance. The final chapter Markov’s Umwelt is where the audience has the opportunity to literally step into the body of TurnigGaia’s main protagonist: Markov. Through virtual reality the audience is invited to experience Markov’s Umwelt. The term the German biologist Jakob von Uexküll coined to describe an organism’s life-world.
In ‘Entering Thermodome’ Markov is a non-playable character (NPC), crafted as an AI cognitive architecture, that explores autonomously a virtual environment that is in a far developed state of climate change. Its behavior is determined by its virtual sensors that are respondent to varying environmental heat levels. Markov’s urge to survive threads an ecological narrative, a testament to survival and adaptability, illustrating the innate resilience of life.
In Markov’s Umwelt the audience can use a VR headset to experience the virtual world through Markov’s perspective. The audience can inspect Markov’s body with its unique sensors, activate different vision profiles adjusted to heat perception, and teleport to specific locations to experience the various ecological contexts of the virtual world. All while listening to a spatial and binaural soundscape.
The audience will be stationary during the time immersed into the virtual world. If it is desired we could enable a short range movement within the physical space.
Supported by BEK – Bergen senter for elektronisk kunst.
Martinus Suijkerbuijk’s (NL/NO) diverse background forms the blueprint of his artistic practice. He holds a degree in Automation Engineering and Industrial Design. In 2017, he graduated from the International MFA program at the Trondheim Academy of Fine Arts, where he is also currently a PhD candidate. His work is best understood as an experimental practice that connects, translates, and operates across the borders of different media, artistic genres, and disciplines. Within his practice, he explores the fringes of art, technology, and philosophy through the potential of alliances and collaborations. His technical background has enabled him to work across industries. He has been invited to present his research and work at art institutions (ZKM, Sónar+D Barcelona, Meta.Morf 2020) as well as technology conferences (CHI 2018, Philips Trend Event). Presently, his artistic research centers around the possibilities of Artificial Aesthetic Agents through AI technologies and gaming engines.
Øystein Fjeldbo (NO) is a Trondheim-based sound artist. He holds a master’s degree in music technology from NTNU (2017). His work primarily aims to shape android auditory expressions. On one hand, he transforms synthetic starting points into something more organic, while on the other hand, he utilizes “organic” sound materials, such as field recordings and acoustic instruments, abstracting them into something more synthetic-sounding.
With the group Future Daughter, he has released music on labels like Orange Milk Records, #FEELINGS, and Kropp Uten Grenser. His projects and collaborations, both in music and installation, have been presented at institutions such as Landmark and BIT Teatergarasjen Bergen, Høstscena Ålesund, Trøndelag Centre for Contemporary Art, Sónar+D Barcelona, and ArtScience Museum Singapore.
Header graphics: “Turing Gaia: Markov’s Umwelt / Video still courtesy of the artists.