You Can't Spell Claire Without AI!

There's a part of me that wants to live inside of a computer. Just imagine it — swimming through layers of code, riding electrical currents, and going to sleep on a bed of frayed wires. Please tell me this is universally appealing and I don't sound crazy right now.

For the past few months I've had a growing fascination with all things digital. Unfortunately, science is by no means my strong suit and I literally have no idea how most technology works. I won't let that stop me though! Here's my guide to our digital future, from the point of view of an underachieving liberal arts girl.

1. Mariko Mori

Mariko Mori is one of my favorite artists of all time, and she should be one of yours too. Her vision is so purely futuristic, I'm almost convinced she's a time traveller. Much of Mori's work features herself as a model, playing various different roles in the same vein as a Cindy Sherman piece. Mori also makes references to Japanese imagery, pop culture, and spirituality—and she's a fashion icon.

Here's some of her work that i love: Subway (1994), Oneness (2003), Play With Me (1994), and Wave UFO (1999)

But this section wouldn't be complete without mentioning my favorite piece by Mariko Mori, and one of my favorite works of all time. 

In 1997, Mori released a video installation titled Nirvana, which featured her in a goddess-like role, floating above the dead sea and surrounded by alien creatures. A photo from this installation, titled Pure Land, was published at the same time. Pure Land is a perfect example of Mori's greatest strengths; It's modern without being pretentious, it's playful without being gimmicky, and it's just so beautiful!

"There always was a force that pushed me to create. I must create the world in order to breathe in the world; I don't exist unless I create." - Mariko Mori, in a 2002 interview with Kay Itoi

Sadly, Mori is no longer working as much as she once was, though she has produced some pieces for her charity, the Faou Foundation, which aims to promote environmentalism through art. You can check them out here.

2. Death Grips/Harlan Ellison

There's two types of people in this world: people who like Death Grips and weaklings who hate fun.

For those of you who have been missing out, Death Grips is a surreal, abrasive, frequently memed-about band from California. RYM describes their music as industrial hip-hop, abstract hip-hop, and experimental hip-hop, though I would categorize it as a technological trip to hell.

Death Grips, pictured here with Robert Pattinson and Beyoncé 

of all people. I am so obsessed with this photo.

Their 2016 album, Bottomless Pit, is one of my favorite projects right now, and part of the reason why I love it is because it fulfills my desire to live digitally, in a bit of a terrifying way. The first few times I heard it, I was taken aback. It's not the kind of album you can listen to once and love immediately, but I like that it's a little challenging. The production is noisy, the vocals are rough, and the lyrics are beyond vulgar. Sure, it's heavy, but Death Grips' ability to create an album this immersive is something that anyone can respect. I also love it because it reminds me of Harlan Ellison. 

My first introduction to Ellison was through an English course I took last year, which explored themes of technology, existentialism, and the apocalypse. At some point in the curriculum, our class read one of his short stories, I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream. Was I grossed out? Yes. Was I disturbed? Yes. Did I inexplicably love it? Also yes. I've never been good at book reports, so I'll try to explain this story in the simplest way I can:

After the world is destroyed by nuclear warfare, five remaining survivors are repeatedly tortured by a sentient computer with a hatred for mankind. Sounds like fun, right?

If you aren't too sensitive to violence, then I definitely recommend reading it. It isn't too long, and it's a really interesting look into human/technology relations. There might even be a little bit of philosophy in there.

Here's a link to the story, though reader discretion is advised!

While searching for Ellison-related images, i found this Hello Kitty

 edit which i couldn't not add.

What I like so much about these two works is that their perspective on technology is more than surface-level. Instead of treating AI like a one-dimensional feature in the lives of humans, both artists personify it, attributing power to them in a way that I find equally fascinating and terrifying. These projects work so well together, it's like they were made for one another. I highly recommend listening to Bottomless Pit while reading I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream. You might hate every minute of it, but I promise, it grows on you.

3. Blade Runner

As I continue to immerse myself in futuristic media, I've discovered that my former hatred for sci-fi movies has been misdirected. For the longest time, I've avoided any kind of sci-fi film because they're just so boring! Sure, there are some classics, but Star Wars is criminally overrated and I am willing to die on that hill. 

The Blade Runner films, though, are an exception for me. Like the other projects I mentioned, Blade Runner and Blade Runner 2049 do a wonderful job of capturing a futuristic world that isn't exactly utopian. Among the grittiness and cold tone of the film, it's easy to find comfort in the visuals, which appeal to me in the same way a Mariko Mori work might.

Beautiful visuals don't make a movie perfect though. Sexism even exists in the future! As much as I enjoy the Blade Runner movies, both the original and the 2017 sequel are pretty male gaze-y. As someone who lives for media criticism, I encourage you to check out this video by Broey Deschanel on the treatment of women in Blade Runner 2049. It's put together rather nicely, and I think her perspective is worth hearing. 

A point in the video that I find particularly great is when she distinguishes intention and effect. Director Denis Villeneuve had mentioned that his aim was to uplift women through his adaptation of the movie. As the video points out, what obstructs his good intentions are the countless shots oversexualizing the female characters, and pandering to the male gaze.  

The Guardian also touches on this in their review of the movie. Anna Smith says, "Visually, sexualized images of women dominate the stunning futuristic cityscapes, from pirouetting ballerinas to giant statues of naked women in heels looming over K as he goes on his journey."

Although I can appreciate the Blade Runner movies for exploring how sexism relates to technology, I think that Villeneuve's version, which was supposed to be more friendly to women, is an example of this very issue. While he claims to portray women as strong, multifaceted characters, the decision to reduce them to their sexuality ultimately contributes to the film world's objectification of women. 

4. Grimes and her interviews

As you probably already know, Grimes is one of my favorite artists. Her work is a huge inspiration to me, and I see her as somewhat of a kindred spirit. I mean, how could I not? We're both named Claire, we both have pisces placements, and we both share a love for 20th century Russian prose (though she's a fan of Akhmatova and i'm more of a Tsvetaeva girl.)

In addition to being an incredible singer, producer, and visual artist, Grimes is also absolutely crazy. I've never been one to watch celebrity interviews, but i could listen to Grimes ramble on all day. 

Side note: if you've never seen her interview with Harper's Bazaar, go watch it right now — it's hilarious. 

Another reason why I love Grimes so much is because she, too, has a fascination with the future. Although some of her Elon Musk-related comments have been questionable, there's no denying that she's very intelligent and an out-of-the-box thinker. This is pretty clear in her interview with Zane Lowe, where she touches on sci-fi, AI, and climate change. If you don't know much about Grimes, this video is a great place to start. It's a really good look into her creative process, as well as her thoughts on the future. She also discusses elements of her latest album, Miss Anthropocene, which is another work of futuristic art I recommend. While is isn't my favorite Grimes album, the overall theme of technology runs more consistently here than in any other one of her works. 

Take the lyrics from We Appreciate Power, a bonus track featuring Hana, for example:

And if you long to never die
Baby, plug in, upload your mind
Come on, you're not even alive
If you're not backed up on a drive

If that doesn't make you want to live inside of a computer, I don't know what will. 

To close this entry, I made a playlist full of songs that make me feel like I'm living the computer-driven life I've always dreamed of. (I have Rookie Mag, another inspiration of mine, to thank for this idea) 

Enjoy!