Academy of Fine Arts in Gdańsk
A uniquely crafted computer and a custom algorithm that searches the viewer’s face for emotions and, on their basis, suggests a different video each time – a unique set of footage from the artist’s life.
The project is rooted in a narrative about my life, documented through a MiniDV camera that accompanied me throughout my studies. I decided to offer the viewer a glimpse into my world – a small, heartfelt postcard. Aware of the inherent subjectivity in representing life through video, I propose an individualized approach for each observer.
To achieve this, I developed a custom algorithm that autonomously analyzes facial features and extracts the viewer’s emotional states to assemble a unique film from my extensive archive of video recordings. The result is a one-of-a-kind montage that will never repeat itself, providing a deeply personal interpretation of my identity – just as the perception of a person varies for each individual observer.
I intentionally leave the work untitled, inviting each viewer to assign a name that resonates with them. The project also explores the nature of emotions for machines – how they perceive and represent them. The results often diverge from human understanding, forming an integral conceptual aspect of the process.
Rather than simply being interactive, this work is about interactivity itself. The physicality of the piece highlights its core – the machine. I reduce it to its simplest components, ensuring that no one mistakes it for anything other than a synthetic entity with a structured system generating specific outcomes. This idea is reinforced by the transparency of the materials, serving as a reminder that the entire project is a composition of electronic interactions.
Ultimately, I seek to merge two worlds – the sensitivity of human experience (my life) and the logic of the processor (its interpretation) – framed within the perception of the human viewer.
Dominik Staszak – a visual artist whose practice has evolved from video production to installations and objects. His work focuses on exploring the relationship between humans and machines, their interfaces, and modes of interaction. Often, his pieces juxtapose spirituality with technology, examining their tensions and interdependencies.
He has exhibited his works at numerous exhibitions in Poland, including Fotofestiwal, the Festival of Four Cultures, the Warsaw Theatrical Meetings, as well as in the Armory of Art and the Gdańsk City Gallery. His art has also been showcased internationally, including at the University of Applied Arts in Vienna and as part of the ArTech project, organized by the Polish Embassy in Bangkok.
