THE MODELS

The Models is an interactive installation developed by the London-based duo dmstfctn during an artist residency at the DAMA – Tecnopolo Manifattura Data Valley Hub in Bologna. The work originated from a challenge launched by Sineglossa as part of the European Digital Deal project, focused on the theme of fake news: is it possible to counter conspiracy theories through the sense of wonder created by artists?

The challenge is inspired by a thesis found in the Wu Ming 1 book Q of Conspiracy, which argues that such fantasies spread because human beings are more drawn to stories that evoke awe and wonder than to scientific texts or reports. From this starting point, dmstfctn decided to combine wonder and truth through an installation that, drawing on the cultural heritage of the museums in the Emilia-Romagna Region, stages digital masks animated in a 3D engine, capable of endlessly improvising theatrical sketches in the style of the Commedia dell’Arte.

These performances are guided by AI models fine-tuned by the artists using the Leonardo Supercomputer—models that, with scripts inspired by classical archetypes, bring to life characters who scheme, invent truths, spread rumors, or make trivial mistakes. These characters embody both the archetypal traits of masks like Harlequin, Doctor Balanzone, Colombina, Pantalone, Brighella, and Pulcinella, and the behavioral tendencies—sometimes deceptive and antagonistic, at other times overly friendly or servile—seen in Large Language Models, the linguistic engines behind generative AI systems, which also inspired the name of the installation.

The masks, given voice through text-to-audio technology, respond to audience input. Visitors can interact with the work via their smartphones, introducing scenic elements that represent superstitions and conspiracy theories, prompting and shaping the improvisation on stage.