GOD MODE (ep. 1)

GOD MODE (ep. 1)
2022
Interactive performance or standalone screening
Full HD display, gaming PC, internet connection
25 minutes

Music: Hero Image

Performed: Serpentine (London), WSA (NYC), HQI (London), System (Shanghai), Semibreve (Braga), Unsound (Krakow), Impakt (Utrecth)

GOD MODE (ep. 1) is an interactive performance and installation exploring anomalies in the use of synthetic data for AI training. The work is set in a replica of a live simulation used by Amazon to train its computer vision systems for their cashierless stores. It features an agent endlessly training in it while delivering a fictional monologue on the impossibility of its task - until it finds a bug to complete its training, learning nothing about the world but discovering something about itself.

The agent is animated through facial motion capture and voice modulation, and audiences help it train and escape by modifying the environment through their phone - a technique that is normally automated in synthetic data simulations. GOD MODE (ep. 1) is the first episode in dmstfctn's GOD MODE trilogy about AI anomalies, followed by Waluigi's Purgatory.

The work is supported by The Alan Turing Institute and Serpentine Arts Technologies.

2025 (group show): Rhizome World
WSA, New York City
2024 (live AV): GOD MODE (ep. 1)
SYSTEM, Shanghai; GOD MODE (ep. 1)
MUDAERUK, Seoul
(talk): bodystacked
LCF, London
2023 (live AV): Semibreve
THEATRO CIRCO, Braga
2022 (live AV): GOD MODE (ep. 1)
SERPENTINE, London; IMPAKT FESTIVAL
HET HUIS, Utrecht; UNSOUND BUBBLES
Kraków; GOD MODE (ep. 1)
HQI, London

GOD MODE (ep. 1)
2022
Interactive performance or standalone screening
Full HD display, gaming PC, internet connection
25 minutes
Music: Hero Image
Performed: Serpentine (London), WSA (NYC), HQI (London), System (Shanghai), Semibreve (Braga), Unsound (Krakow), Impakt (Utrecth)

GOD MODE (ep. 1) is an interactive performance and installation exploring anomalies in the use of synthetic data for AI training. The work is set in a replica of a live simulation used by Amazon to train its computer vision systems for their cashierless stores. It features an agent endlessly training in it while delivering a fictional monologue on the impossibility of its task - until it finds a bug to complete its training, learning nothing about the world but discovering something about itself.
The agent is animated through facial motion capture and voice modulation, and audiences help it train and escape by modifying the environment through their phone - a technique that is normally automated in synthetic data simulations. GOD MODE (ep. 1) is the first episode in dmstfctn's GOD MODE trilogy about AI anomalies, followed by Waluigi's Purgatory.
The work is supported by The Alan Turing Institute and Serpentine Arts Technologies.

Download text CV here

London−based artist duo dmstfctn explores complex systems through the lenses of simulation, fiction and experience. Their immersive performances, video installations and video games demystify systems by replicating and exploring them together with audiences, and remystify them by building new stories and worlds atop them.

Download text CV here

now (talk): ars electronica
POSTCITY, Linz
..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
(group show): EDINBURGH ART FESTIVAL
Edinburgh
..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................; authenticity unmasked
EDINBURGH ART FESTIVAL, Edinburgh
..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................; Algorithms of Freedom
ADAPTER, Budapest
..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................; Bits & Bots
CENTRO DE HISTORIAS, Zaragoza
..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
(writing): Future Art Ecosystems 5
SERPENTINE, London
..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
2025 (group show): Rhizome World
WSA, New York City; OS2.4
SINGAPORE ART MUSEUM, Singapore; ELAP 2025
NUNNERY GALLERY, London
(solo show): The Models
TECNOPOLO, Bologna
(panel): AI, Creativity and Ethics
V&A, London; New Metabolism
GLUON, Brussels
(writing): Investigating Decentralized Action in Art
LECTURIS
(news): dmstfctn & Lawrence Lek
Digital Deal podcast; dmstfctn ^× Lawrence Lek
DIGITAL DEAL PODCAST; What happens when AI lies?
DOMUS; Prompting as creative writing
MANGROVIA
2024 (live AV): Futur.Shock
FOLD, London; Waluigi's Purgatory
SERPENTINE^×HQI, London; ROMA EUROPA FESTIVAL
MATTATOIO, Rome; ROBOT FESTIVAL
SAN BARBAZIANO, Bologna; CRYPTIDS with Günseli Yalcinkaya
SONAR+D, Barcelona; GOD MODE (ep. 1)
SYSTEM, Shanghai; INDEX Biennial
GNRATION, Braga; Waluigi's Purgatory
MEET, Milan; SMART LIFE FESTIVAL
TEATRO S. CARLO, Modena; GOD MODE (ep. 1)
MUDAERUK, Seoul
(group show): Waluigi's Purgatory
ARE YOU FOR REAL; Decentralized Futures
ETOPIA, Zaragoza; Decentralized Futures
KOELHUIS, Eindhoven
(screening): NOINDEX: is nothing forever?
ICA, London
(award): S+T+ARTS nomination
ARS ELECTRONICA; SOLO AI AWARD
GOLDSMITHS, London
(news): what happens when an AI cheats?
DAZED; Kill the Luigi in your head
NERO; dmstfctn & Evita Manji
COEVAL MAGAZINE; conversation with evita & dmstfctn
T–MAG; In conversation with Evita Manji & dmstfctn
T-MAG; Networked Worlds
WEPRESENT
(fellowship): European Digital Deal
LEONARDO SUPERCOMPUTER, Bologna
(talk): bodystacked
LCF, London
2023 (group show): Directory
THE WRONG BIENNALE, Alicante
(live AV): Semibreve
THEATRO CIRCO, Braga
(talk): Autonomous Worlds day
Istanbul; Beyond Cultures of Ownership
SOMERSET HOUSE, London; Godmode Epochs
SERPENTINE, Twitch; dmstfctn plays Godmode Epochs
SERPENTINE, Twitch; AI UK 2023
QEII CENTRE, London
(award): EDIGMA SEMIBREVE AWARD
Braga
(writing): Large Lore Models
0XPARC; Large Lore Models
0XPARC
(game): Godmode Epochs
STEAM
(residency): ARTECHO
ETOPIA, Zaragoza
(news): Turret Theory
SERPENTINE; Public Engagement Grant
THE ALAN TURING INSTITUTE, London; dmstfctn investigates contemporary environments
CLOT; how to train ai?
ARTRIBUNE
2022 (live AV): GOD MODE (ep. 1)
SERPENTINE, London; IMPAKT FESTIVAL
HET HUIS, Utrecht; UNSOUND BUBBLES
Kraków; GOD MODE (ep. 1)
HQI, London
(news): Artist conversation with dmstfctn
IMPAKT TV
2021 (book): ECHO FX
KRISIS PUBLISHING; Ø
FLATLINE PRESS/HYPERDUB
(screening): INTERFACE CHAOS ^ft SKY H1
CAFE OTO, London
(group show): NONPLUSULTRABLACK
SYNNIKA, Frankfurt
(news): Demystification Committee debuts echo fx
AQNB; ECHO FX
SLEEK; REALITY CHECK AHEAD
CLOT
2020 (live AV): CTM ^× TRANSMEDIALE
BERGHAIN, Berlin
(solo): OFFSHORE MATTERS
AKSIOMA, Ljubljana
(screening): INTERFACE CHAOS
FORUM STADTPARK, Graz
(talk): Moneylab #8
AKSIOMA
(news): INTERFACE CHAOS ^ft SKY H1
NERO; CHASING ILLICIT MONEY
NEW YORK TIMES; Tax Havens: Normalized Grand Theft
WE MAKE MONEY NOT ART
2019 (live AV): DESIGNING TIME
DESIGN MUSEUM, London
(solo): NETWORK ENSEMBLE
GLUQBAR, Milan
(group show): A SCHOOL OF SCHOOLS
C-MINE, Genk; A SCHOOL OF SCHOOLS
Z33, Hasselt; PORTO DESIGN BIENNALE
TRINDADE, Porto; A SCHOOL OF SCHOOLS
LUMA, Arles
(screening): Ø.29
CORSICA STUDIOS, London; PORTO DESIGN BIENNALE
CAMPO 24 DE AGOSTO, Porto; INTERFACE CHAOS
TRUST, Berlin; INTERFACE CHAOS
EVENING CLASS, London
(music): Flash Demons
MILLE PLATEAUX
2018 (live AV): transmediale face value
HKW, Berlin; Borderline Festival
ONASSIS, Athens; Borderline Festival
ONASSIS STEGI, Athens; Radical Networks
SPEKTRUM, Berlin
(group show): 4^th Design Biennial
ARTER, Istanbul; 4^th Istanbul Design BIENNIAL
ARTER, Istanbul; transmediale face value
HKW, Berlin; Situation #111
FOTOMUSEUM, Winterthur
(talk): Automated Lands
NEW INSTITUTE, Rotterdam; Automated Landscapes
HET NIEUWE INSTITUUT, Rotterdam; transmediale face value
HKW, Berlin; IMPAKT Festival
HET HUIS, Utrecht; MoneyLab #4
SOMERSET HOUSE, London; Alt-Age
DESIGN MUSEUM, London
(writing): A DAY IN THE LIFE OF
SCHLOSS-POST; The Offshore Economist
Rizosfera
(news): What Audre Lorde's Language of Self Care Can Teach
FRIEZE; Happy tax haven to all
NERO
2017 (talk): the influencers
CCCB, Barcelona
(residency): Vilem Flusser Residency
TRANSMEDIALE, Berlin
(music): SELECTED NETWORK STUDIES
NUKFM

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