“As Uncanny As a Body” by Irini Kalaitzidi

23.11.21

 

‘As Uncanny As a Body’ is a video work which documents the constant transition of a dancing body from an abled human state into a glitched, injured, unspecified one.

Based on the development and use of a GAN model, the visual data of a dancer are processed, and figures that manifest this in-between state are produced. What happens when AI is not used in order to optimise the performance of the dancer but rather to generate body types and movements lying beyond fixed standards and classifications? How does a poorly trained AI model perceive the body and how does it affect our perception of it? Does it remain human in all its smudges, cracks and distortions?

With her work ‘As Uncanny As a Body’, Irini provokes painless AI-injuries on the virtual dancing body with tenderness and a wish to bring the uncanny closer to the human.

 

Acknowledgments:

Concept, Choreography & ΑΙ: Irini Kalaitzidi
Performer: Maria Vourou
Filming and Digital Support: Stathis Doganis
Music: Nick Tsolis
Special Thanks: Daphne Dragona, Orestis Korakitis, Sakis Kostis and studio ΠΛΑΤΩ

‘As Uncanny As a Body’ was created during Irini’s participation in the 2020-21 Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Artist Fellowship Program by ARTWORKS (GR).