The topic of technological ethics is gaining renewed interest, as the extent to which these developments impact our lives continues to grow. The entangled relationship between humans and technology confronts us with an increasing twilight zone that exists in between. Objects increasingly seem to exhibit human traits, not only in terms of their physical appearance but also in the way they behave and interfere in our daily activities. Perfume bottles are designed with the female figure in mind, Siri answers our questions with a human voice, and some offices have already replaced their receptionists with social humanoid robots.
Objects of Desire, new work by Pleun Van Dijk, aims to translate some of these current developments into a tangible scenario by initiating a collaboration between the designer (representing the human) and a generative algorithm (representing technology). Through this process, human (the designer) and technology (the algorithm) worked together in the design of new hybrid forms; a method that exemplifies the ever-present relationship between human and technology. The project confronts the viewer with a speculative scenario, leaving them to decide whether they perceive the outcome as human, non-human, or something that exists in between.
Pleun Van Dijk is a Netherlands-based speculative artist and designer fascinated by the ever-evolving world around her. The exponential speed at which science and technology are developing offers us new opportunities while also confronting us with complex ethical questions. These questions often remain abstract due to the complexity of scientific research papers. The limitations of text and spoken language make it almost impossible to envision the future impact of these inventions and how they could be shaped by the decisions we make today.
In her work, Pleun visualises and translates these futures into tangible hypothetical scenarios that contribute to the ethical debate, triggering the viewer’s imagination through multiple senses. Her works explore the possible, impossible, utopian, and dystopian outcomes of our seemingly insignificant decisions today.
Do you have a new collection or a new body of work that’s simply dazzling? We want to hear from you! And remember, there’s no deadline – we welcome submissions throughout the whole year!
Every submission is a potential gem, and our team takes great care in handpicking projects that resonate with the contemporary scene. To submit your work, just email high-resolution images (5-10 pcs), image credentials, social media tag, work description (max 250 words), and artist bio (max 250 words) to veronika@current-obsession.com.
Artist: p_l_e_u_n
Website: Pleun van Dijk
Photo credits: Nahmlos
Video credits:
First video: Directed by @nahmlos ,Music by @madebyjlb Grade by @yanis_aarrouf,
Second video: Directed by @nahmlos, Music by @kn0wva, Grade by @baptistevieillard
