Apes

APES is a collection of kinetic sound sculptures resembling primates. They are made out of recycled WI-FI sector antennas. These devices are usually installed on rooftops in our cities. The sculptures are driven by algorithms showing dynamic counters of data consumption and cyberattacks: from Facebook likes, Google searches, tinder swipes, internet energy consumed and emails sent, to the adverse cyber events happening in real-time. The data is analyzed and translated into sound. Based on the idea of Surveillance Capitalism and behavioral modification through data appropriation, the APES are programmed to move with predictive patterns dictated by the various names appearing on the screens. These motions are accompanied by evolving soundscapes generated by a granular synthesizer driven by the data flows. When the counters hit certain key numbers, the sculptures release sonic events composed by an AI trained to deep fake the calls of real apes. These sonic events are modulated in real time by the data speed and diffused as a quadraphonic audio experience using the body of the APES as a resonating chamber.

The work takes us on a metaphorical exploration of our digital evolution, by navigating through the topics of cybersecurity, data consumption, surveillance capitalism, disinformation, behavior modification, and energy demands. It investigates the benefits and dilemmas that the new digital transformation brings to our society. Raising questions as, how can we avoid a rebound effect? Will progress, higher speeds, and higher data volumes not simply encourage us to consume, spend, travel, use and stream even more? How can we ensure that the new possibilities don’t exacerbate the environmental threat for our planet and how can we grow the muscle of cyber resilience as a society?