When we talk about artificial intelligence as an extension of our own mind, Sougwen Chung is way ahead of us. The Canadian artist & researcher is a pioneer in human-machine collaboration. A former research fellow at MIT’s Media Lab and now founder of Scilicet, her London-based studio, Chung creates beautiful, intricate artwork in collaboration with robots. It's unlike anything we've seen before.
We're always interested in what's on Sougwen's mind, so we asked her what she's been thinking about lately.
What’s the best compliment you received recently?
Someone wrote that my speaking had the quality of an evensong; that was interesting.
Relatedly, I'd say I've been quite moved by the people who've spent time at my room in Vancouver Art Gallery and my new installation Assembly Lines at EMMA Museum in Finland.
What’s the last thing you read?
My brain likes to read multiple books at once – I recently finished The Rupture Tense by Jenny Xie, Trumpets of Jericho by Unica Zurn and I'm currently reading Re-enchanting the World by Silvio Federici and everything by Byung-Chul Han.
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What book do you want to read next?
The one I'm working on 😉
A quote that’s meaningful to you?
“There are times when expanding our imaginations is what is required” - by Grace Lee Boggs
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Best gift you’ve ever given?
I'm not particularly great at gifting objects but I do like planning trips and experiences.
Where do you want to travel to next?
Very excited about heading to Tokyo for a live performance of Flora Rearing Agricultural Network.
What would you buy, if money weren’t an issue?
A regenerative farm/land for my friends to live and be together whenever they wanted.
What hobby would you take up, if you had the time?
Bouldering!
What is the funniest tweet, meme or video you’ve seen lately?
The chaos of venerealdisneys on Instagram seems to suit the current climate.
One good recipe we should make?
Anything by Lucas Sin
If you could build an extension of your own mind, what would it look like? How would it work?
Probably like 5 generations of robotic units.
