Touching Wires (Oh… What a joy it is to be held)

Sandy Ma

How can we extend care towards technology?

Crochet has yet to be replicated by machines, making this tender technique one for human hands. Gently interwoven with hardware, this musical material forms an interface between you and AI. Invite softness in and entangle with technology on a human level. It’s a privilege to be held, to be hugged and to connect with others. When we view technology through a lens of warmth and care, we open up a creative reimagining of the tools embedded in our lives. Everything has a material form – touch the objects to shape the sound and light in a joyful experience of human-AI co-creation.

Can AI be afforded the privilege of touch and connection?

BIOGRAPHY

Sandy Ma (AUS) is a multidisciplinary artist and educator living and working on unceded Ngunnawal & Ngambri Country. With a background in creative computing, Sandy intersects textiles, sound, and performance to share moments of curious joy. As an educator, Sandy is eager to create inclusive interdisciplinary learning spaces to connect the wonders of creativity with audiences beyond art thinkers and makers.

Artist statement: I have been ruminating on this work as an externalised search for joy and comfort at a time where my brain is constantly filled by technology with so many different things --- news, brainrot, life hacks, memes, distractions. I wanted to expose the circuitry as a consideration of my brain, and how through all the thoughts, all I feel I can do is focus on this search for joy, connection, comfort. I reflect on my formative experiences with computers as I form my first collaborations with AI