a study in psycho-cybernetics

​Observing how the printed image acts as a channel of communication, the analogue practice of collage can act as an inquiry into how these systems are structured and interpreted, and how they shape our thoughts and actions. As a reaction to an ever rapidly mutating technological world, the work in this series explores communication systems, from internal feedback loops within my own artistic practice and decision making strategies, to external ones. 

Cybernetics was defined in 1948 by Norbert Wiener as “the science of control and communication, in the animal and the machine” -  basically, the theory of messages. Both cybernetics and artificial intelligence are different ways of thinking about intelligent systems or systems that can act toward reaching a goal, and can be applied across many aspects of human existence including psychological habits and human awareness. Exploring the work of art as a complex dynamic system, art making becomes a tool to investigate the artistic process from initiation to completion, opening up an inquiry into artist / machine and art as object / process.
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21 deconstructed film posters embody a process driven material investigation that explores subjects of self concept and identity within the framework of cybernetic theories, in particular that of psycho-cybernetics, a term coined by Maxwell Maltz in 1960.  A system of principles that define a pathway to overcome limitations and achieve success, Maltz lays claim to the 21 day rule that I adopt to provide myself a structure to work within. 21 consecutive days were set aside to create one daily collage using a pool of outdated film poster multiples as collage material, utilising the consistent size of the film poster. Constraints, used a little like the programming of a machine that is given the power to learn, assist the direction of the work.

»   06_what matters is in the connections (2022) 
analogue collage (film posters) ​69cm x 101cm

»  08_Data sets are selective stories (2022) 
​analogue collage (film posters) 69cm x 101cm

The film poster is a representation of illusion and fantasy, a place of reinvention. Working with multiple versions of the same image allows multiple chances to ‘start over’ and ‘improve’, reminding me of the human urge to modify ourselves and make comparisons with an idealised version of reality.

» 04_information // illumination 
​(2022) analogue collage (film posters) ​​69cm x 101cm

» 07_parallel systems
(2022) analogue collage
(film posters) ​​69cm x 101cm

» 16_a growing tendency toward disorder (2022) analogue collage (film posters) ​​69cm x 101cm

»  10_Whats matters is in the connections II 
(2022) analogue collage (film posters) 
​​​69cm x 101cm 

»  05_empty spaces arranged as a pattern 
​(2022) analogue collage (film posters) ​​
​69cm x 101cm

» 03_the other side / greener grass 
​(2022) analogue collage (film posters) ​​69cm x 101cm

​The work is completed, assigned to the year 2022.  The feedback loop now switches to that of audience and artwork, and is no longer within my personal control.  Remaining in flux; a possibly continuous collection of representational humanity in a dynamic time of its existence.

Exhibition view: Centro do Congressos de Lisboa, Annual Society of Neuroradiology 45th Annual meeting, 2022

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