Performative Machines

/pəˈfɔː.mə.tɪv/ (məˈʃiːnz/ 

With their inspiration of the circus, members of the Bauhaus developed visions for human-machine entanglements, machine creativity and performativity that could entirely transcend the tendencies of functionality and efficiency in the current paradigm of AI. They perceived ambiguity and unpredictability as a creative opportunity, not a flaw. 

In a series of experiments and interventions using open technologies, master’s students of the Anhalt University of applied Sciences in Integrated Design enter into entanglements with AI, exploring glitches, imperfections and serendipity. They challenge gender binaries, neocolonialism, anthropocentrism and data extractivism by playfully and critically eliciting performative machines. In collaboration with the Berlin Open Lab (UdK Berlin) and metaLAB (FU Berlin).