Tapestry of Assumptions

By Bianca Bauer

Topic: Personal Data

Medium: Object

Material: Carpet

Institute: Politecnico di Milano

Year: a.a. 2023-2024

My project begins with a reflection of my cultural background, which is a mixed and complex matter. I wanted to leave the analysis to the language processing AI Chat-GPT, and see if it could make assumptions about the countries I have a connection to, based on my search history. The results were for the main part very close to what is true. For instance, it understood my bicultural background of Italian and Austrian roots, my strong interest for Japan, my translations from English to other languages etc.

Featured image of the project Tapestry of Assumptions Complementary image of the project Tapestry of Assumptions Complementary image of the project Tapestry of Assumptions

Metaphor used:

The metaphor in use is the flag and the tapestry. The concept of the flag represents an emblem of a nationality, it is something powerful and recognisable. In this case, it is a signifying device that contains a series of flags within one. The tapestry on the other side is a product of entangled threads that makes only sense when it is put together. Through the small “mistakes” that it will contain, the tapestry will metaphorically point out the glitches of the assumptions.

Intended Meaning:

My aim with the project is to stress the facets and possibilities of misinterpretation of the AI and depict its speculation in a slightly glitched way, where the resulting physical product of cultural assumptions will not be entirely flawless, yet it will be comprehensible.

Source:

Personal Google Chrome search history starting at the beginning of 2023 until October 10th, is made up of 4062 search inputs.

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Featured image of the project Tapestry of Assumptions
Complementary image of the project Tapestry of Assumptions
Complementary image of the project Tapestry of Assumptions

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