Giant QR code-like patterns dominate the cityscapes, blending seamlessly with the architecture to suggest that algorithmic systems have become intrinsic to the very fabric of urban life. On the left, towering buildings and the street are covered in these black-and-white codes, reflecting how even the most basic aspects of everyday life—where we walk, work, and live—are monitored.
On the right, the perspective shifts to a street scene, where pedestrians are dwarfed by looming buildings that appear to merge with the digital codes. These figures are purposefully “glitchy,” appearing almost AI generated. Their presence blurs the line between real and algorithmically fabricated, pushing viewers to question whether this is a true reflection of daily life or a digital reconstruction. The horizon fades into a dense network of codes, creating a skyline that suggests AI’s omnipresence.
The stark black-and-white aesthetic not only underscores the binary nature of these systems but also hints at what may and may not be encoded and, therefore, lost—such as the nuanced “color” and complexity of our world. Ultimately, the piece invites viewers to consider the pervasive nature of AI-powered surveillance systems, how such technologies have come to define public spaces, and whether there is room for the “human” element.
Accompanying haiku:Cracks. Chasms. A greybinary abyss. Chaos.May you be the glitch
