Koźniewski

Description

MODELS OF CRISIS embodiments of a mental struggle https://jkozniewski.com/works/models_of_crisis/ A series of three generative kinetic objects-poems that externalize and embody the thoughts and feelings of the artist undergoing an existential crisis. We're living in the era of models - we're almost obsessively trying to digitally model every aspect of reality - from the weather, through the stock market to the language and process of thinking and even our emotions. Thus I've realised that maybe I can kind of subversively utilise the new technology of Large Language Models (LLM) to construct the model of my own mental struggle to synthesize what's deeply personal into mechanical abstraction that's so much easier to deal with. As my method of work is all about intertwining physical with digital I wasn't intending to stop on just playing with LLM's on the screen - I've asked myself what if I'll quite literally build the physical models trough which I'll be able to convey the synthetic thoughts modeling my current state of mind ? I've decided to display words produced by LLM briefed on my feelings and emotions on old school 14-segment alphanumeric displays but also combine the meaning of those words with physical motion of the objects in the vein of “kinetic poetry” in part inspired OuLiPo movement. And here they are - three physical models (MOOD SWING, TRAIN OF THOUGHT, RISE & SHINE) that are vehicles for expressing the output of the Large Language Model that models state of

Process

It's probably the most personal of my projects so far, usually I'm focused on conveying more abstract ideas and comments on the current socio-technological landscape (vide SHADOW OF DOUBT, BEHOLDER etc.) rather than expressing myself directly. In this case it's a bit different - as I've recently started to experience a gradual rise of anxiety, creative burnout, doubt and symptoms of depression, I decided that maybe I should try to channel those thoughts and feelings and encapsulate them in some form - externalising them to be able to look at them from a safe distance.

Tools

The setup is based on local server (written in nodejs) that communicates with LLM (in this case GPT 4o) trough it's API. The model is briefed on my state of mind and with particular kinetic-physical setup of each of three pieces (like for example swinging motion or limit of 32 characters). For example in case of MOOD SWING the LLM is instructed to create a series (potentially infinite) of emotional antonyms and three “in-between” terms, creating a sort of affective gradient - for example: EUPHORIA - JOY - CALM - UNEASE - MISERY. Then those word-sets are downloaded as json onto the microcontroller (Raspberry PI Pico W running micropython) and animated in sync with physically swinging display - thus providing a visceral performance of the emotional quiver. Apart from being based on same microcontroller and codebase (custom engine written from scratch in micropython) each of the pieces include 14-segment alphanumeric displays built from eight 4-char modules giving 32 chars in total. In terms of kinetics: * MOOD SWING - single servo * TRAIN OF THOUGHT - hacked toy-train locomotive with DC-motor + custom power-sustaining circuit based on super-capacitors * RISE & SHINE - 8 Serial Bus servos driving custom-built linear rails + lots of resin 3d-printing, cnc-machined wood and acrylic, various mechanical and electronic components