DATACOSM

9.00 / 2019

Datacosm is a narrative animation which refers to the role of the data engineer and our relationship to the world of data. Set in a puppet theatre, events are created by puppeteers (data scientists) using analogue data blocks, objects, and puppets to produce the Datacosm. Above and below the stage code scrolls perpetually, mediating the boundary between the real and fictional worlds.

Synopsis

The narrative begins with a digital sunrise at the creation of the Datacosm, followed by the process of growth of seeding data, mining or farming and harvest, data consumption, overload, data transfer and hacking leading to the eventual contamination by a thought virus which alters the Datacosm forever. Background source of the film In the original Datacosm commissioned by Collusion, music was analysed by artificial intelligence from live input via a pianist playing below a giant screen. In response to each particular genre played, a sequence of corresponding animated film would be selected by artificial intelligence and played along one timeline, resulting in one of four final outcomes. This film is based on selected footage to create a final narrative.

The project was a collaboration between Jo Lawrence and Cambridge Consultants’ The Aficionado’ and presented as a live event in Cambridge in 2019.