Operatic Faces in Digital Transformation
Interactive Digital Installation | March 2024
Selected Exhibition:
2024, Subverting Digital Media, Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York
Description:
Operatic Faces in Digital Transformation is a pioneering interactive digital installation that melds the traditional art of Bian Lian (face-changing) from Sichuan opera with contemporary machine learning technology, leveraging Stability AI's advanced SDXL Turbo model. This installation captivates audiences by morphing their faces in real-time, reimagining the mystical face-changing effects of Sichuan opera for the digital era. Displayed on monitors, the audience's transformed visages are accompanied by real-time computer performance metrics, including FPS, computing speed, and calculation time. The original camera imagery, altered with a visually striking glitch effect, enhances the narrative of transformation, intertwining the physical and digital selves.
Background:
"Operatic Faces in Digital Transformation" is about the dichotomy between appearance and reality, inspired by Bian Lian's art of face changing and the phenomenon of deep fake technology. It explores themes of identity, perception, and the ease of distorting truth in the digital age, prompting viewers to question the authenticity of what they see and experience in media
At its core, Operatic Faces in Digital Transformation delves into the complexities of identity and self-perception in our technologically integrated society. By utilizing the latest in Stable Diffusion technology to apply traditional operatic transformations to modern-day participants, the project forges a connection between the audience and their digitized counterparts. This interaction not only invites introspection and dialogue about the mutable nature of identity but also celebrates the fusion of cultural heritage with digital innovation. The incorporation of Sichuan opera's rich visual and thematic elements through advanced AI highlights a seamless blend of history and future, encouraging viewers to reflect on the enduring relevance of traditional art forms in today's digital landscape. This installation is a testament to the power of technology to reinterpret and revitalize cultural traditions, creating a space where past and present coalesce into a compelling narrative of transformation and continuity.