Marie Meyer | Fortunate Shortcuts

Can an artificial intelligence learn to direct, and if so, what does that look like? In garish allusions to baroque times, an AI stages the supposedly perfect use of theater machinery.

In a visually powerful and sonorous object theater, an artificial intelligence takes over the direction. The stage set becomes its ensemble: an algorithm specially trained for the production controls the use of music, lighting and motors and choreographs the scenery. Decisions made by the AI that run counter to our viewing habits lead to aesthetically disruptive moments. Baroque theater machinery meets machine learning. Gloria in excelsis Deo ex Machina!

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In a visually striking and sonorous object theater, an AI takes over the direction. The stage set becomes its ensemble: a self-trained algorithm steers the deployment of Baroque music classics, light and stage motors, and choreographs the scenery. Aesthetic disturbances, in which the AI's decisions run counter to our viewing habits, are inevitable.