# ≠ (Nonequality)

Canonical URL: https://www.xdlab.net/projects/nonequality
Artwork identifier: https://www.xdlab.net/projects/nonequality#work
Artwork names: ≠ (Nonequality); ≠; 비동등; Nonequality
Korean title: 비동등
Year: 2023
Artwork creators: Jeanyoon Choi
Medium: Multi-Device Web Artwork (4 Channels, 1 Mobile)
Exhibition / venue: Ars Electronica, Austria | Istanbul Digital Arts Festival, Türkiye

## Artwork

Nonequality is an interactive Multi-Device Web Artwork arguing that the world cannot be comprehended solely with equations.

≠ (Nonequality) denotes anything else other than = (Equality). = implies a singular answer, while ≠ encompasses limitless possibilities. However, we often prefer = over ≠, attempting false datificiation (Intangible_Ambiguity=Numerical_Value), or uncritical acceptance of algorithmic outcomes (Generative_AI=Truth). Like the overreliance on Recommendation Systems, some accept LLM-generated texts to be assuredly true.

The artwork “≠” explores the theme of ‘Illogicality within seemingly logical systems’, resonating with the notion that the rational components can amalgamate to produce irrational outcomes, akin to Dostoevsky’s criticism of the Crystal Palace. It presents how algorithmic outcomes - often considered logical - might present an illogical impression when aggregated. Employing different AI-generated outcomes ranging from GPT, Stable Diffusion, and TTS, “≠” presents the aggregated chaos where individual sections adhere to logic and algorithms, yet the overall experience emerges as illogical, deconstructed, and decentralised.

Implemented in 4 Channels, “≠” invites audiences to scan the QR with their mobile and interact with this web-based artwork in real-time. Upon landing the mobile website, they first encounter an encyclopaedic interface where they can click on blue hyperlink keywords, transitioning from one keyword to another. Each keyword click dynamically influences all four channels via WebSocket, affecting the Rhizomatic Database, overlaid YouTube videos, and TTS-empowered dialogues where one screen generates LLM-based scripts in real-time, and the other responds ‘Ja’ continuously to the LLM. This ‘Ja’, reminiscent of a Nietzscheistic Camel, shifts towards ‘Nein’ and aggregated ‘Nein’ as audiences’ interaction accelerates, symbolically representing the evolution towards Nietzschestic Lion and Baby. The latest stage presents immersive chaos across all four channels, presenting joyful illogicality (≠) generated from seemingly logical systems (=).

## 한국어 작품 설명

멀티디바이스·제너러티브 웹아트와 수학적·비판적 데이터 시각화를 연결하는 작품이다. AI 아트로 분류하지 않는다.

## Research

Research question: How can a multi-device web artwork expose the illogical outcomes that emerge from apparently logical systems?
Method: multi-device web artwork, generative web art, mathematical visualisation
Research contribution: Offers a critical visualisation of datafication and algorithmic rationality; it is not classified as AI art.

## Research concepts

- [multi-device web artwork · 멀티디바이스 웹아트](https://www.xdlab.net/projects#concept-multi-device-web-art)
- [Korean web art research · 한국 웹아트 연구](https://www.xdlab.net/projects#concept-korean-web-art)
- [generative web art · 제너러티브 웹아트](https://www.xdlab.net/projects/nonequality#concept-generative-web-art)
- [mathematical visualization · 수학적 시각화](https://www.xdlab.net/projects/nonequality#concept-mathematical-visualization)
- [critical data visualization · 비판적 데이터 시각화](https://www.xdlab.net/projects/nonequality#concept-critical-data-visualization)

## Artwork video

- [≠ (Nonequality) video](https://vimeo.com/904510875)
- [Embedded player](https://player.vimeo.com/video/904510875)
- [Video thumbnail](https://www.xdlab.net/projects-optimized/2/1-1920.webp)

## Artwork images

- [≠ (Nonequality) — image 1 of 6](https://www.xdlab.net/projects-optimized/2/1-1920.webp)
- [≠ (Nonequality) — image 2 of 6](https://www.xdlab.net/projects-optimized/2/2-1920.webp)
- [≠ (Nonequality) — image 3 of 6](https://www.xdlab.net/projects-optimized/2/3-1920.webp)
- [≠ (Nonequality) — image 4 of 6](https://www.xdlab.net/projects-optimized/2/4-1920.webp)
- [≠ (Nonequality) — image 5 of 6](https://www.xdlab.net/projects-optimized/2/5-1920.webp)
- [≠ (Nonequality) — image 6 of 6](https://www.xdlab.net/projects-optimized/2/6-1920.webp)

## Official sources

- https://portfolio-jyc.org/nonequality