A Bag of Beliefs

Video: A Bag of Beliefs

Discussion and panel

Among Ian Cheng’s works is the AI-driven virtual lifeform ”BOB (Bag of Beliefs)”, 2018–2019, that is currently shown at, and evolving in, the exhibition ”Mud Muses – A Rant About Technology”. During the final weekend of the exhibition, he will discuss his ground-breaking work with digital ecologies and simulations of infinite duration.

Cheng will be joined by Veronica So, producer and co-parent of ”BOB” and Cheng’s ”Emissaries” trilogy (2015–2017). Cheng and So will discuss the behind-the-scenes process of developing these works, with a focus on the cognitive architecture of ”BOB”.

The symposium will conclude with a panel from the Stockholm School of Economics consisting of Paula Vega, Claire Holm Chow and Roberto Verganti, who together with Cheng will discuss the ways in which his artistic practice and BOB can inform us about society and economy.

Programme

14.00: Introduction

Welcome: Karin Malmquist, curator Moderna Museet. Introduction: Isak Nilson, Research Fellow at SSE and Director of SSE Art Initiative.

14.05: Presentation by Ian Cheng on his artistic practice

Ian Cheng will discuss his ground-breaking work with digital ecologies and simulations of infinite duration.

14.30: How we made ”BOB (Bag of Beliefs)”

A talk with artist Ian Cheng and producer Veronica So. Moderator: Lars Bang Larsen, curator of ”Mud Muses”.

15.00–15.30: Panel

The discussion continues with the addition of a panel, comprised of Paula Vega, Claire Holm Chow and Roberto Verganti from the Stockholm School of Economics, followed by questions from the audience.

About the participants

Ian Cheng is an artist based in New York. He has exhibited widely including solo presentations at MoMA PS1, New York; Serpentine Galleries, London; Carnegie Museum of Art, Pittsburgh; Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo, Turin; Julia Stoschek Collection, Berlin; Venice Biennale, Venice; Museum of Modern Art, New York; Whitney Museum of American Art; New York; Hirshhorn Museum; Washington DC; Tate Modern, London; Louisiana Museum, Humlebæk; Sculpture Center, New York.

Veronica So is a producer and writer working across fine art, technology, animation and gaming. So is currently producing an animated miniseries by Cheng called ”Life After BOB”, exploring the transformation of human life scripts in an era of artificial intelligence.

Lars Bang Larsen, curator of ”Mud Muses – A Rant About Technology”, is a writer, teacher, and adjunct curator of international art at Moderna Museet.

Paula Vega is the president of SASSE Art Division, and a student at Stockholm School of Economics.

Claire Holm Chow is a curator at SASSE Art Division, and a student at Stockholm School of Economics.

Roberto Verganti is Professor of Leadership and Innovation at the School of Management of Politecnico di Milano, where he directs the ”Leadin’Lab”, the laboratory for LEADership, Design and innovation.

Contact: Karin Malmquist, curator