Rhizome’s 7×7 programme, which pairs seven artists with seven technologists for a 24-hour collaboration, returns after a three-year hiatus. The results of these partnerships have extended far beyond the original one-day events. The upcoming edition, sponsored by Hyundai Motors, will focus on artificial intelligence, aiming for an expanded and critical examination of its societal role in response to its increased accessibility and popularity. The collaborative projects will be presented at an experimental conference on 27 January at the New Museum, co-hosted by Rhizome.
At the heart of 7×7 is the idea that practice, not just theoretical speculation, is one of the best ways to explore how artificial intelligence and other new technologies raise questions about existential and ethical aspects of human value, human impact and creativity.
Meaningful exploration is the aim of this year’s collaborative pairings. They include digital art pioneer Lynn Hershman Leeson partnering with Eugenia Kuyda, founder of the digital companion service Replika A.I. Artist Tomás Saraceno is teaming up with Harry Halpin, CEO of Nym Technologies, a startup specializing in internet privacy.
Other partnerships include Xin Liu and Christina Agapakis, Head of Creative at biotech company Ginkgo Bioworks; artist Rindon Johnson and engineer Alan Steremberg; and technology-oriented artist Miriam Simun with David Robert of robotics company Boston Dynamics.
Aria installation
Photography by ELA BIALKOWSKA, OKNO STUDIO
Courtesy of XIN LIU
Construction Chart #2 (from the series Roberta Breitmore: External Transformations), 1975
Photography by CLIFFORD PRINCE KING
Cover photography of generative collection created by XIN LIU and NAN ZHAO
