Futures explores how technology has influenced the visual language of today, and its impact on the future. The visual elements associated with automation and artificial intelligence may appear human-like and natural, yet they are still driven by mechanical systems and code which are rigid, static, and inflexible. Futures looks to engage the dichotomy between automated systems and the rigid mechanical structures that lie behind them, as we shift towards an ever-changing tech-forward future.
The importance of our voices today is made clear every time we click “unmute” in a Zoom meeting; our recent time of COVID-19 lockdowns has reminded us that the presence or absence of our voices connects us with, or excludes us from a particular community. Yet the voices we project are also part of our physical selves, and the messages they convey always relate to this concrete physical locus. Now, more than ever, it's clear that we simultaneously occupy both physical three-dimensional space and space on the electromagnetic spectrum. Today, we are reminded that the human voice can also be replicated by machines, which makes it more difficult to define the dividing line between the human voice and other sounds from machines or technology.
Faizal’s paintings from “Shifts and Transitions” uses an airbrush stencil technique, inspired by car paint jobs from his days working in an automobile repair shop. Faizal creates the effect of crumpled aluminium which acts as a symbol for the contrasts and changes in his life. The illusion of crumpled patterns representing the routine and structure of daily life, much like the coding structures behind automated systems. Further, Faizal’s choice to create an effect of a metallic surface plays on the brutish materials behind machinery, much like the metalwork of cars.
Zul, on the other hand, is interested in the liminal space between humans and machines and how that relationship will evolve in the future. For his “Scrambled Signals” series, Zul draws inspiration from graphics and forms borrowed from the digital world. “I used elements of futuristic and geometric forms, together with digitally-influenced shapes to create my idea of what abstraction looks like in the digital world”, writes Zul. Geometric forms that layer and overlap are intended to create an image of data sources and machine learning devices. His work acts as a symbol of an intermediary between humans and the digital world. The bright gradient colour tone and futuristic shapes are largely inspired by sci-fi themed Japanese anime and games.
Together, Faizal and Zul's work creates a dialogue around the intersection between technology and art, and how both can influence and inspire each other. Futures invites the viewer to consider how the future will be shaped by the advancements in technology, and what role art can play in shaping our voice for the future. As technology continues to advance, we must consider the impact it will have on our society, our values, and our sense of self. Will we lose touch with our humanity as we become more dependent on technology? Will we be able to differentiate between what is human and what is machine?