The Monitor

​2020, composite photograph, pigment on rag, 113 x 90cm

The system is busily making new faces for itself.
But the system, though artificially intelligent, is people.

Whose eyes look out through the façade? Are they as patient as they appear?

This "lady" robot is fitted out with "the male gaze". The artist worked with several Japanese men as eye models, compositing their eyes into videos and photographs of robots to make these eerie portraits of tech surveillance society.

The Monitor is part of Actroid Series II, a series of stills, composite photographs, video portraits and interactions that point up the potential uses of humanoid robots for AI monitoring and surveillance. Focusing primarily on the Japan-designed Otonaroid, a female-appearing android model that is meant for reception and simple conversation purposes, the artworks concern how we render restrictions more comfortable by giving social systems a human face.

Exhibitions
Actroid Series II, Open Site 6, Tokyo Arts and Space, Tokyo 2021 
Art Machines 2, Run Run Shaw Creative Media Centre, Hong Kong 2021

​Credits
Camera (for robot): Lindsay Webb
Robot: Hiroshi Ishiguro Laboratories
Permissions: Miraikan Japan