Critters '23

The Critters exhibition explores the triangle nature-humans-technology in a playful manner. This expo is teeming with life, be it artificial or natural, or any combination of these creatures. 

This expo is supported by and part of the Days and Art and Science and the Night of Discoveries, Sept 14-16 2023 in Leiden, the Netherlands. Additional support is provided by the Society, AI and Life Sciences (SAILS) program at Leiden University.

Header image credit: Zoë Breed

AcRobotics by Daniel Simu

What does an acrobat do without a flyer? The people I like to train with are often on the other side of the world, injured, or otherwise unavailable to be thrown in the air by me. So I replaced them with a robot. This project was co-produced by V2_ Lab for the Unstable Media

Living Light by Zoë Breed

Experience the interactive aesthetics of bioluminescent algae in a living light interface

Chronomicroscopy by Roland van Dierendonck

“Chrono” (Χρόνος): “time” | “Micro” (Mικρός): “small in size or extent” | “Scopy” (Σκοπειν): "viewing, examining, observing" | “Chronomicroscopy”: “observing the motions of small life over time.” 

Chronomicroscopy is an audiovisual work in four parts, combining the playful traces of life under the microscope with a soundtrack of developing loops. It encourages the viewer to be attentive and look at the microcosmos and its inhabitants with open eyes, discovering patterns and disruptions in both the visuals as well as the audio. 

AvataReal by Danica Mast

Experience virtual creature-like dynamic blobs that nudge passersby to engage with them. These forms performorganic motions, responding to the presence of passersby, facilitating playful interaction.

Blockbots by Joost Mollen

The tale of the Blockbots, couchsurfing robots, and what they tell us about why we bond with artificial creatures.

Proxemics by Max Rentmeester, Adhivira Theodorus, Merel ten Braak

Step into the territory of this species and explore personal space

Static v1.1 by Marise van Noordenne

Static explores the friction between old/new, analog/digital, and human/AI. This simplified version of the installation invites you to play around with its generative properties, revealing its unfiltered interpretation of you.

A flocking herd of filings by Marinus van den Oever, Marise van Noordenne, Thomas de Bruijn

Individuals acting collectively as part of a group, following the majority and not making their own decisions. Herd behaviour. a flocking herd of filings imitates this behaviour by grouping together iron particles and making them move in the same direction by creating a circulating magnetic field.

Dancing Jellyfish by Semma Raadschelders

This e-textiles project explores the relationship between people and clothes. The jellyfish attached to a skirt light up in response to movement, inviting the wearer to join their dance. 

Location

P.J Veth building, Nonnensteeg 1-3, Leiden, the Netherlands

Dates and times

Note most of these works are interactive, and may only be in full operation on Saturday.

Side program

Days of Art and Science

Night of the Discoveries