Varvara & Mar
Varvara & Mar, an artist duo formed by Varvara Guljajeva and Mar Canet in 2009, explore the social impact of the digital age through their work, addressing technological change and its effects on society. Their art has been showcased at international venues such as MAD in New York, FACT in Liverpool, Santa Monica in Barcelona, the Barbican and V&A in London, Ars Electronica in Linz, and ZKM in Karlsruhe. Currently, Dr. Varvara Guljajeva and Mar Canet serve as substitute professors at the Academy of Media Arts Cologne.
A Needle in a Haystack
Everyone knows that finding a needle in a haystack is an impossible task. But what about a robot? Positioned at the centre of a haystack, the robot's sole mission is to locate a needle hidden in the hay. It will signal its triumph by ringing a bell if it succeeds.
This project is a provocative exploration of technology's limits when faced with tasks deemed impossible for humans. It challenges the notion of artificial intelligence as a mysterious, all-powerful 'black box'. Critics like Kate Crawford argue that AI is neither truly artificial nor intelligent. Similarly, Jeff Bezos has labelled it "artificial artificial intelligence", highlighting its reliance on human labour that is often underpaid work of crowd workers.
Moreover, this artwork prompts reflection on the relationship between humanity and the environment, adding a nuanced layer of commentary to the interaction between technological prowess and natural elements. The project also raises critical questions about our reliance on technology: Is this the right path forward?
