Parasite -- FEED ME
Parasite -- FEED ME is a playful reference to the attention economy, in which digital systems manipulate human behaviour for their own gain. But rest assured: this parasite has no hidden agenda.
Parasite -- FEED ME is an interactive electronic installation that explores human presence and algorithmic feedback. This needy organism depends on human body heat for its survival. Using an infrared camera, the parasite detects the proximity of the audience and translates this data into specific behaviour. The parasite goes through various phases – such as feeding, satiety, digestion and starvation – which are expressed through a combination of image, text, sound, colour and movement. The parasite’s body consists of volumes that swell, deflate and light up in time with the amount of human warmth it receives. Without human attention, the organism begins to starve: the volumes deflate and a blue light pulses in an attempt to attract attention. As soon as a visitor approaches, the parasite awakens. The volumes take on warm hues and pulsate to hold the viewer’s attention, as this opportunistic parasite constantly strives for complete satiation. The installation playfully demonstrates how algorithms attempt to achieve their goals by capitalising on mental reward processes.
Translated from Dutch
