Q-Pid (2023)
University of the Arts MA Project
Art Director & Photographer
For her specialist practices unit at UAL, Bibiana Art Directed and Photographed the project Q-Pid through a photoseries and ean experimental short film. The project reimagines an online dating interaction in the physical space, while exploring the emotional capacity of algorithms. The algorithm acts as a third party that influences the course of the date and dictates how the individuals interact with one another. However, instead of aiming to deepen the connection and foster further interaction, it is designed to sabotage the date, creating an eerie and awkward encounter. The system dictates how the characters communicate, controls eye contact, and prevents resistance to the encounter.
The exploration of the emotional and technological limits of dating apps reveals a dilemma: while these apps aim to address human fears and issues surrounding relationships, they may inadvertently eliminate human intuition and instinctive choice as part of the solution. The lack of knowledge surrounding algorithms in the online realm raises questions about the extent of their control and influence over human lives. Are we creating algorithms, or are they shaping us into new forms of existence?
The project was selected for the cover of Roll Up Magazine Issue 32 Volume 4.
See the Q-Pid short film here.