A Curious light
Year : 2023
Signature : Naoufel Abbes, Samson Amélie
Exposed et :
► Useful Fictions, Lab 3 “Objets à comportements, objets curieux“, juil. 2023, Théâtre de la Ville – Espace Cardin, Paris
This unusual table lamp was designed during a week-long workshop led by Corentin Loubet and Filipe Pais at the Institut Polytechnique Paris during the “Useful fictions” event organised by the arts & sciences chair.
What if, through their behaviour and design, connected objects could make citizens’ issues linked to data collection intelligible and sensitive? The idea behind this artistic installation is to take a critical look at the current trend to “connect” more and more of our everyday objects and make them “intelligent”. This additional feature, often used for marketing purposes, is not always useful, and few people question the invasive nature of these objects or their reliability when it comes to the security of the collected data.
The “lampe curieuse” takes a humorous look at these issues. This connected, motorised lamp is interested in a children’s book that has been left lying around. Driven by a desire to learn more and expand its knowledge, it carefully reads everything within its reach. However, once she has reached the end of her page, she finds herself frustrated by her condition as a fixed material object. Despite all her efforts to stretch her neck towards the book, she can’t turn the page. She then tries to catch the eye of a human passing by to beg him to give her access to the rest of the book by turning the page for her.
The object has two motors that move it up and down and left and right as appropriate. The movements generated give the object a personality and a sensitive presence.
À propos de Useful Fictions #3 Symbiosis
“The Arts & Sciences Chair is supported by a science institute, the École Polytechnique, an art and design institute, the École des Arts Décoratifs- Paris, and a public interest foundation, the Daniel and Nina Carasso Foundation. At a time of climate disruption and systemic dysfunction, the event aims to explore the potential of symbiotic imaginations, by creating sensitive variations to propose new alliances: between disciplines with the world of living beings, matter and technology, and so on.
– An intensive week of creation on the campus of the Institut Polytechnique Paris (Palaiseau) from 26 to 30 June 2023. The aim of “Useful Fictions” is to harness the transformative power of collective intelligence by bringing together participants from a wide range of disciplines over the course of a week. The event promotes a shared scientific culture that is open, inclusive and decompartmentalised.
– 6 laboratories and 1 research-creation workshop supervised by artists, designers and scientists.
– A weekend of exhibitions, performances and meetings on 1 and 2 July 2023 at the Théâtre de la Ville – Espace Pierre Cardin, Paris.