Other mechanisms

More about the book

OTHER MECHANISMS highlights a moment when machines are often unrecognizable, existing beyond traditional definitions. The absence of heavy machinery is notable in the sleekness of digital interfaces and cloud computing. Today's machines are referred to by various terms—tools, devices, algorithms—that reflect their evolving nature. They permeate our daily lives, influencing communication, consumption, trade, and travel. While some machines are tangible, many consist of rules or algorithms, showcasing a fluidity that transcends physicality. The exhibition's works challenge the conventional understanding of machines, subverting their tools and technologies, and complicating their functionality. These alternative mechanisms introduce disruptions, creating detours and dead ends that alter established pathways. They demand more from users, rejecting convenience and immediate clarity, and reintroducing the complexities of the human body with its inherent irregularities. While art cannot halt the machine, it raises critical questions about how to engage with it. The focus shifts from whether to embrace machines to how to complicate them by testing existing systems with unconventional tools and protocols that misalign outputs from inputs.