Apr 04 2024 45 mins
The Dog Days is an unusual machinima that combines the glitchiness of AI generated content composited with a Second Life avatar. Whilst not realtime, the performative aspect of this work is evident and we reflect on the fit of the current state of generative AI with the Fluxus art movement. We discuss what The Dog Days means, metaphorically and literally, and how we interpret this film concluding it is not a happy outcome for the focal character. The Dog Days evokes memories of a long-ago childhood spent with a much loved pet but the non-sense words and images are of something far more sinister, contextualized by the current general media coverage of wars in Eastern Europe, Middle East and elsewhere. We also discuss our interpretations of the fragility represented in the avatar, including the role of generative AI in becoming cyborg.
0:20 Introduction to the film, created by Fau Ferdinand
6:00 Performance art context
7:23 Dog days… in other media
11:00 The significance of AI glitch in this film and generally in artwork
27:26 More about Fau Ferdinand and the Second Front movement
30:00 Fluxus and the role of chance
32:30 Interpreting the dreamscape
36:40 How we are becoming cyborg
39:30 The images plus me!
42:56 Performance art and female empowerment
Credits -
Speakers: Ricky Grove, Phil Rice, Tracy Harwood, Damien Valentine
Producer/Editor: Phil Rice
Music: Animo Domini Beats