Durational performance that has been derived from an ongoing body of work investigating global interconnection utopia, spiritual magic and contemporary algorithmic slavery. Constructed from timber and nails and measuring 340 x 200 x 50 cm, the giant sculptural ‘f’ conceived as a commentary on social media, was carried collectively in streets of Lisbon. The performative procession was originally conceived as part of ‘EDEN’, Vilas-Boas’ solo show at Zaratan Arte Contemporânea in Lisbon during July 2019. The piece aims to stimulate discussion on issues surrounding digital platforms such as privacy, data extractivism, surveillance capitalism, digital labor and algorithm biases. Carrying the cross draws on the emotiveness of hope and oppression within the parameters of digitalisation where technology meets religion.
The project was also part of ‘Higher Resolution’ at Tate Modern curated by Hyphen Labs, London in September 2019: a collective show and workshop questioning our relationships with digital platforms.

Concept: Filipe Vilas-Boas 
Carriers/Performers: Filipe Vilas-Boas and anonymous participants.
Photos: Filipe Vilas-Boas, Patrice Dogé, Wendy Crockett, Filipe Pais.
Videos: José Chaves, Catriona Whiteford.
Editing : Filipe Vilas-Boas
Wood work [PT]: Luís Araújo, Filipe Vilas-Boas, Patrice Dogé.
Paint [PT]: Berto Araújo.
Paint [UK]: Tate Modern, Tate Exchange's Workshop participants.
Artist Run Space [PT]: Zaratan Arte Contemporânea.
Curators [UK]: Hyphen Lab.
Museum [UK]: Tate Exchange, Tate Modern.


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Carrying The Cross