AI MADE ME CRY


The AI made me cry project explores the emotional battles, resilience and coping mechanisms of young people as they face digital anxiety and the ever-growing influence of AI.

In this exhibition, the Gen Z voices resonate unfiltered and true, reinforcing the importance of acknowledging and addressing mental health challenges in the digital age. 

From a love-hate relationship with ChatGPT to dancing between tech dystopias, girlhood and constantly proving that you are not a robot - this exhibition showcases a collection of personal and heartfelt handwritten letters, journal entries, and diaries extracts from young people, each sharing their unique stories, reflections and emotions related to digital anxiety and the influence of AI.



exhibition elements:

HANDWRITTEN NOTES / JOURNAL FRAGMENTS:
Analogue pages revealing personal emotions encountered by young people as they navigate the digital landscape. Chaotic, raw, maybe accompanied by photographs, screenshots, or DIY collages.

AUDIO SEQUENCE:
Echoes of the authors' voices, reading their own notes or capturing their emotional labyrinth with technology. Intimate and moving experience, whispered through headphones.

ARTISTIC INTERPRETATION:
Collaborations with artists from different realms, translating the complex emotions associated with AI into an artistic format.

VISITOR PARTICIPATION:
An interactive component inviting visitors to leave handwritten notes in response to the exhibition, fostering an ongoing dialogue in the space.






METALOST: Escaping the Metaverse


In METALOST, participants enter an escape room set in a dystopian metaverse, that immerses them in a world of ethical and social dilemmas. As they navigate this complex landscape, they have to find their way back to reality. 

Through the artistic expression of technocriticism, METALOST conveys the darker facets of technology. As a platform for critical thinking and awareness-raising, it offers participants the opportunity to consider the ethical and social implications of AI and Metaverse in an immersive escape room environment.

It has an important educational role in preparing people for the future and contributing to a better understanding of the technological controversies, regulatory issues and ethical debates associated with the metaverse.



escape room elements:

WITHIN ESCAPE ROOM:
Quests covering a spectrum of topics:
data breaches and privacy invasions revealing the extent of one's own digital exposure;
surveillance within the space highlighting the loss of personal freedom in a hyper-connected world;
AI manipulation and misinformation, blurring AI-generated and authentic information, shaping perceptions and realities;
struggle for personal autonomy and authenticity;
detachment from reality.

POST-ESCAPE ROOM:
Discussions in a grounded safe space to reflect on ethical dilemmas and real world implications.




ANALOG GARDENS


The sensory immersion space aims to provide visitors with a nurturing environment where they can unplug, escape the constant digital bombardment and reconnect with oneself. It brings out the contrast between digital and analogue worlds - while raising ethical questions about the impact of AI and digitalisation on mental health.

The curation of ANALOG GARDENS prioritises a serene atmosphere where visitors can reflect on the impact of digitalisation on their mental health and consider how to incorporate sensory experiences into their daily lives.

It is a sanctuary to counterbalance the digital age's effects on mental and emotional well-being.



project elements

SPACE OF DOING:
Throughout this ethereal space, different zones invite visitors to return to primal forms of connection:
tactile stations to feel the raw textures; herbs and essential oils to breathe through; a corner for contemplative gardening; art supplies to nurture creativity; and quiet reading nooks with physical books, offering a break from digital distractions.

SPACE OF BEING:
Several zones designate space for contemplation (as opposed to action) and solitude:
soundscapes and vinyls; guided meditation corners with warm lighting and comfortable seating; indoor gardens with real plants.


SPACE OF HAVING: 
This place exists outside of time and space, yet here and now.
To bridge the analogue experiences gained here with the world outside, visitors are offered ways to re-engage: with their existence and others. Within, reflective spaces offer resources, tools and information to reflect on the interplay of analog and digital, intergrating it in daily life. 

It is also a hub for gatherings, workshops and dialogues exploring the intersection of AI, mental health and the role of the senses in nourishing the peaceful state of mind.

INFRASTRUCTURE:
The space is designed as a no-phone and no-digital-device zone. Trained facilitators or guides are on site to help visitors navigate the space or host workshops or other events.