Habitat
Type of work:  Automated installation
Duration: on-going durational work. 

[This project was postponed because of the restrictions given by the Corona situation. It was supposed to be an automated installation. The photos below represent the drawings both on paper and digitally for the design and production of the installation. The installation is being put on hold because the festival that was supposed to host it, is postponed.]

Concept:

 We are living in a world where drones are not a matter of science fiction anymore. They are more present than ever and they are slowly becoming part of our everyday life. From delivery drones to hobby drones, surveillance drones and war drones, they are being used in a variety of roles. Recently drones were used to replace fireworks. Technical capabilities move on: drones are constantly updated with new sensors and tracking systems.
We are connected on social networks, but often feel lonelier than before, while in the real world our nature is suffering increasingly. In this context, the question comes up inevitably in my mind: How would it be if the human animal would completely disappear? How would the world be without birds or insects? If the living creatures would be replaced by drones? What does natural habitat mean for living beings today?
The planned installation wants to reflect on the idea of being trapped in a cage and at the same time how an audience’s empathy may deal with this situation. The audience is looking at machines being stuck in a cage which poses questions about what freedom means. Even if the cage hosts a seemingly natural habitat. In a study robots resembling dogs were exposed to violence. People witnessing this felt guilt about the treatment of the machines. The visitors of the installation are facing conflicting sentiments whether to have sympathy for trapped artificial creatures or feel threatened by machines replacing the living.
Often people, including myself, react strongly against caged animals, but rarely think about how free they are themselves. The freedom of the machine is not a viable concept yet, but as we are experiencing more and more machines having the ability to be autonomous, the idea of developing an empathic attitude towards machines might not be so far off.

Installation description:

The installation Habitat consists of 5-7 drones. These drones are moving on the basis of a proximity sensor. When they are too close to an object, they change direction and go in the opposite direction thus leaving the impression of being environmental aware.
The drones are put in a big bird cage/ aviary (volière) and they are left to fly to themselves in this confined space. The aviary would be accessorised with plants as used to for birds.
The drones are continuously flying in the aviary, they might hit each other or the plants, they will probably become disorientated but then should be able to resume course.

The design of the aviary has been made in collaboration with Salmo Albatal. 
This project was shortlisted. 

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Cristiana Negoescu

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