A GenAI Exploration of the Human Psyche
Commissioned artwork, Ars Electronica Festival, Linz (AT)
Poster prints, 3 LCD Screens, VR, Generative AI
2024
Weird Creatures
This project presents a framework for analyzing the human condition: from the superficial self to the emotional and affective dimensions, and the underlying mechanisms of identity, perception, and consciousness. By utilizing diverse data inputs – personal diaries, poetry, and philosophy – and custom generative AI systems, a series of media were produced, including posters, animations, sonifications, and immersive VR spaces, offering a multifaceted exploration of the human psyche and self.
The project leverages generative AI to transform intimate memories and philosophical insights into a rich tapestry of visual, auditory, immersive, and interactive experiences. The installation draws inspiration from Carl Jung’s psychoanalytical framework, presenting a layered exploration of the human psyche through five conceptual stages: the outward-facing superficial self, the turbulent emotional space, the shared collective unconscious, the introspective personal unconscious, and the innermost core self. Each stage reflects a distinct dimension of human existence, visualized and sonified through diverse media such as printed posters, dynamic video animations, immersive VR spaces, and generative soundscapes.
In this collective artistic practice, the main goal was to define strategies that analyze the depth and complexities of the human psyche. For this reason, a series of intimate memory logs from individuals were collected, analyzed, and used (anonymously) as data inputs for media creations that were driven by custom-built generative AI systems. These systems aimed to transform the collected material into expressive artifacts that symbolize aspects of the human condition. Here, the superficial self is represented through AI-generated imagery, while the emotional space uses visceral, turbulent visuals to evoke the raw, chaotic nature of emotions. The collective unconscious takes form in a VR environment where viewers interact with AI-generated 3D symbols, each accompanied by poetic narratives that bridge individual and shared human experiences. Meanwhile, the personal unconscious offers a deeper, more introspective exploration of individual psyches, using generative text and visuals to reveal hidden desires and subconscious drives. At its core, the project culminates in a minimalist real-time generative particle system that symbolizes life’s constant choices and the oscillations of self-discovery. This final layer encourages participants to reflect on their essence, fostering a meditative connection to their own humanity and the collective experience.
“Weird Creatures” is a synthesis of human introspection and computational creativity, offering a philosophical exploration of the metaphysical dimensions of identity. By inviting audiences to navigate this layered representation of selfhood, the installation cultivates both personal introspection and a sense of shared human connection.
The work has received an Honorary Mention at Ars Electronica Festival 2024.
Acknowledgments
The work has been exhibited in Ars Electronica 2024 (Linz), Futurelab (West Bund, Shanghai), IMA Show (NYU Shanghai)
Creation & Production: Stavros Didakis
Participants: Siwei Chen (CN), Haoran Wang (CN), Rebecca Xiong (CN), Nuo Xu (CN), Jiapei Yao (CN), Xinyu (Torico) Chen (CN), Wes Firestone (US), Michelle Hua (CN), Jinhe (Anny) Jiang (CN), Zoe Kalamaros (US), Cindy Liu (CN), August Wang (US), Jinyuan (Jack) Xu (CN), Neo Alabastro (US)
Supported by: Interactive Media Arts & Research Center for AI & Culture (NYU Shanghai)