PORTRAIT XO (USA/DE)
„The Cost of Connection“

As part of SYNAESTHETIX #2

21.30 h
ZIRKA

“The ethical foundation of this work isn't merely technical but philosophical.  I believe sustainable futures begin with intentional systemic decisions at the inception of new technologies.” – Portrait XO

Portrait XO is a musician and independent researcher working at the intersection of sound, AI and data ethics. Using neural networks and generative algorithms, Portrait XO creates audio-visual spaces that seem both familiar and alien – images mirroring our hybrid present, in which humans and machines are increasingly merging. Together with composer and multimedia artist Andreas Tegnander (NO/NL), at SYNAESTHETIX #2 they will present the previously unreleased album “The Cost of Connection” as an audio-visual live performance with gesture mapping.

Based on data sets from the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals, Portrait XO transforms urgent global challenges into sound and images, creating a space where we can engage with complex sustainability issues not only intellectually, but also sensually. “The Cost of Connection” encourages us to reflect on our own role in shaping a sustainable future; on which decisions we should delegate to AI systems and which we should preserve as uniquely human.

With a unique approach to thinking and working in relation to the sonification of data, ethical AI development and artistic activism, Portrait XO is a regular guest at international events and festivals, including the CTM Festival in Berlin, MUTEK, the Gray Area Festival in San Francisco and Ars Electronica in Linz.