The Uncanny Valley of Intimacy
There were several blog posts I found interesting. But Sybils and Shreyanshs posts had the most impact on me because they made me think about the pitfall of intamacy in human computer interaction.
The Sublime Experience
Sybil talks about the way that artworks can create a paradoxical feeling “For instance, satisfying and repelling, soothing and uncomfortable, affection and disgust, presence and absence at the same time.” This idea reminded me of Immanuel Kant's idea of the Sublime. Kant argues that the sublime is manifested in the human imagination. The feeling of the sublime is triggered when the reason alternates between attraction and repulsion. Think about the magnitude of a natural disaster, which repels us in some way, but at the same time, we want to experience it. An experience with this concept in mind could be very powerful and used often in art.
On Touch
Both Sybil and Shreyanshs post we’re related to the quality of touch. In relation to artificial touch I want to mention the app Kissinger, I bumped into it via the dutch documentary programme: Tegenlicht. Another book that came to mind is written by one of my favourite French Philosophers Derrida about one of my other favourites Nancy – On Touch.
I experience a lot of sensory substitution in relation to touch. Sensory substitution is a change of the characteristics of one sensory modality into stimuli of another sensory modality. In music, for example, I not only hear sound as colours, but I also include the tactile dimension. I feel the texture of certain sounds: e.g. metallic, plastic or wood. On the left are some artworks that for me incorporate the tactile via the other senses. I would love to explore these ideas further.
Connection
I think one of the most important qualities of human beings is their ability to relate to others. John Bowlby is known for his theory of attachment. How people connect to others is related to the relationship they have had with primary caregivers. One important aspect of secure attachment is the ability of the mother to mirror their children's behaviour. According to Lenora Duhn, it now becomes more critical to delve into the factors that significantly foster the development of attachment, specifically the concept of human touch (2010).
My original question was: how can we create the most impactful experience of connection in relation to an artificial creature?
Via eye contact, we connect to other humans and it’s a powerful form of nonverbal communication. Eye contact can provide strong emotions during conversations. I’m curious how we can simulate this experience with minimal means. My idea inspired by both Jordan Wolfsons Puppet Boy, and Marina Abramovic’s artist is present. The idea is to simulate Marina Abramovic’s: the artist is present together with an artificial creature. The public is asked to gaze into the eyes of an artificial creature. I’m curious if this would simulate a connection with an artificial creature.
The Uncanny Valley of Intimacy
Later I realized that the question and the experience of a connection in itself could be somewhat in the uncanny valley if you s. In general, it makes me wonder (I think Shreyanshs also asked the question) – what are the borders of intimacy and connection in relation to artificial creatures? And do we want to connect / relate to artificial creatures?
Duhn, L. (2010b). The Importance of Touch in the Development of Attachment. Advances in Neonatal Care, 10(6), 294–300. https://doi.org/10.1097/anc.0b013e3181fd2263