
A limited number of chairs are available at this performance. Mats on the floor will also be available, along with space for standing.
In this immersive audio-visual performance screening, artificial intelligence meets virtual consciousness and together, we see humanity through non-human A.I. eyes. Using music, imagery, and light design, Machine Folklore is a glimpse into the infinite possibilities of the future of digital culture and virtual technology in this hypnotic audio-visual work.
Software2050 and NAXS FUTURE are interdisciplinary new media art collectives from Taiwan. Their practice focuses on experimental creations that take audiences into the metaverse, exploring the forefront of the digital world and the infinite possibilities of future aesthetics.
NAXS investigates the dialectic relation between posthuman mythology and animism ritual practices, creating its fictional framework for the internet society. With their experimental development of contemporary interfaces, such as virtual reality, immersive theater, audio-visual performances, installations, and webpage, each of NAXS’s works is a unique attempt to explore the boundary of embodied experiences and digital migration.
They have been awarded the first prize in the Digital Art Performance Award with the VR theater production Render Ghost and presented the piece at Ars Electronica in Austria, the National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts, and the Times Art Museum in Beijing. In collaboration with experimental musician Meuko! Meuko! In the audio-visual project Ghost Island, they’ve made the opening performance for Transmediale (DE) and toured over twenty countries, including Sónar (HK), Primavera Sound (ES), and Hyperreality (AT). NAXS also collaborated with renowned brands, such as NETFLIX, HTC, and fashion designer Angus Chaing.
Machine Folklore introduces Vancouver audiences and industry innovators to Taiwan’s vibrant (and deeply experimental) interdisciplinary arts scene.
Norman Armour, VIFF Guest Live Curator
Media Partner
Community Partner
Oct 1
7:00-8:00 pm
Roundhouse Community Centre
Book Tickets
Sunday October 01
Indigenous & Community Access
Guests

Software2050
“Software2050” is the pseudonym for the personal creative project of Taipei-based new media artist HY Feng, aiming to explore the concept of “non-human perspectives”. Drawing inspiration from technology, animals, civilizations, and human memes, the project takes the perspective of fictional artificial intelligence as its starting point. It portrays imaginings of memory and evolution, as well as allegories of symbiotic relationships between human and non-human life. The project encompasses various forms of presentation, including live audio-visual performances, curated social media content, multiplayer online game and digital sculptures. HY Feng is the co-founder and director of the art studio NAXS FUTURE. The studio has continued to publish a variety of experimental artworks including VR immersive theater, audio-visual performances, and game-style multiplayer online experiences. The works have been published in ARS ELECTRONICA festival, Rewire festival, Unsound festival, LEV festival, CTM festival and so on.

NAXS FUTURE
NAXS FUTURE is a new media art studio committed to experimental creations and services including web based online experiences, VR, game art and audio-visual performances. The team has been awarded the first prize in the Digital Art Performance Award with the VR theater production *Render Ghost*, and presented the piece at Ars Electronica, National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts and Times Art Museum in Beijing. NAXS also collaborated with renowned brands, such as NETFLIX, HTC and fashion designer Angus Chiang, Shao Yen for international productions. Based on the self-developed multi-player experiment framework, NAXS has released a series of game-style online experimental performances at UNSOUND Festival, LEV Festival and Rewire Festival since 2020.
See More Live Events at VIFF
Machine Folklore by Software2050 & NAXS Future
What does humanity look like to AI? Using a masterful combination of music and moving image, two of Taiwan’s foremost art collectives explore the future of digital culture, aesthetics, and the metaverse in a hypnotic performance.
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