Algo-bodies: Identity, language and body actuation

September 16-19, 2021
iii workspace, The Hague
14:00-17:00
Price: €60 (excl. €12,60 VAT)
Tickets here

Facilitator: Afroditi Psarra
Language: English

Max participation: 10

Suitable for: ages 15+, anyone interested in performance, algorithmic governance, e-textiles and wearables, diy electronics, and creative coding. No previous experience in electronics or coding needed.

The implementation of AI (artificial intelligence) and ML (machine learning) systems in all areas of technological artifacts, including art, constantly challenges the ways in which we perceive and understand the world around us, our bodies, and our identities. 

Inspired by Alejandro Jodorowsky’s dystopian theatrical play ‘The School of Ventriloquists’, in this workshop we will experiment hands-on with the idea of body control through the use of wearable technology and speech-to-text application programming interfaces such as Google AIY, while discussing ideas around the construction of identity around our bodies, and how algorithms dictate our movement through space. The participants will be working in groups and actuating each other’s bodies. The last day of the workshop will culminate in an experimental collective performance. 

The workshop is open to anyone interested in performance, algo-governance, e-textiles and wearables, DIY electronics, and creative coding. Namely we will be hacking the Google AIY kit (based on a Raspberry Pi Zero WH and scripted in Python) to create voice-triggered interactive wearables. 

No prior experience in electronics, or coding is required. If you have an Android phone please bring it along as we will be using it to connect to the kit.

Participants will have access to the following materials to create their wearables with:

Google AIY voice kit
Various electronics components
Solenoids
Servo motors
Breadboards
Heat shrink

Participants will need to bring:
Laptops
Portable charger with micro usb cable
Android phone (for those who have them)
Piece of garment to work with
Found “noisy” objects (this will be more defined during the workshop)

Equipment such as soldering kits, sewing machine, scissors, tape, hot air gun will also be provided by iii

Algo-bodies workshop is presented by iii with financial support from Creative Industries Fund NL and The Municipality of The Hague.