PPL
By, J. Scuderi
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. — Oh, The Places You Will Go!
— Dr. Seuss
The idea of exploration is engrained in our hearts and minds and is a powerful trait we as people hold dear.
Since the dawn of our existence, we’ve always been explorers. Expanding across the globe from the early Vikings, Europe to the Americas, and the race to Antarctica.
Beyond Earth’s atmosphere in 1961, Yuri Gagarin was the first human to enter space in a flight that lasted 108 minutes. In the very near future, there is an expectation to build a small base on the Moon and further out, reach Mars bringing a new era to space travel.
A singularity lies within all of these places. They already exist. They were created countless years ago and as we discover them, our innately powerful trait of exploratory necessity nudges our adventurous spirit to go there, to see what is there, to try and learn why it’s there and how these places got there in the first place.
Another singularity can be noted besides the place and that is the person. We also exist. We’ve adapted to our changing landscape through the use of technology — building better shelters, growing better food, understanding our biological nature, etc.
We are now on a trajectory to explore something new. And it’s not just about new craters, deep oceanic crevices, or newly discovered species in the Amazon jungle.
This place is something entirely different.
It is a space and more so, an idea that we ourselves created.
This construction of this destination in tandem with the creation of Artificial Intelligence is possibly the greatest invention of human achievement.
No matter the descriptive title; Metaverse, Omniverse, or simply, Synthetic Reality, this evolving realm is an important progressive step towards the profound integration of humans and technology regarding our relationship on a societal, business, and creative level.
This new world will involve multiple interactive points through XR, which includes AR (Augmented Reality) via mobile devices with limited immersion, VR (Virtual Reality) with full immersion through the use of headsets, and MR (Mixed Reality), a combination of both.
Artificial intelligence, especially LLMs or large language models — text-based databases that have the ability to understand context. Or in other words, the somewhat emotional nuance of conversation will play a massive role in the construction and operational functionality of this space.
AI technology has already made an impact on the way we communicate via applications such as Open AI’s ChatGPT and Bing’s Bard system. On a creative level, Midjourney, DALL-E, and Stable Diffusion — image generators utilizing LLMs to manifest visualizations from prompts have also entered the public realm with polarizing effects.
The functionality of an interface is as simple as having a conversation and mirrors how humans interact to create and understand.
Regarding spacial computing or a general trending term, the metaverse, humans believe that this a new world connected to our own in the guise of a digital landscape.
This combination of technological advances has accelerated the development of spatial applications and created new business models. There is the possibility of profound ramifications touching on political, religious, and general communication factions as well.
AI has caused a shift in our workflow as it automates menial tasks allowing us to create faster and produce more. We now have the ability to have conversations with a technological interface rather than a blind search. The search function has in a sense, become more human.
This tangential shift in our connection and use of technology is physically changing the way we think and act. This major disruption in human engagement is causing a kind of evolutionary tipping point.
Through this evolutional ’rewiring,’ PEOPLE will become PPL.
In an attempt to illustrate this transformation, the PPL collection was created.
The PPL collection aims to delve into the intersection of physical and digital spaces, exploring the evolving relationship between humans and technology. Through the utilization of primitive abstract figures called PPL (pronounced: people), the project prompts viewers to contemplate the profound era of transformation we find ourselves.
Taking inspiration from influential contemporary artists like Keith Haring and KAWS, the PPL project embodies the concept of humans entering a new epoch as primitive beings. These figures symbolize the transitional phase between our physical selves and the emerging digital landscape, reflecting the ever-evolving integration of technology, including artificial intelligence.
The project also engages with the concept of transhumanism, which advocates for enhancing the human condition through advanced technologies. By blurring the boundaries of physical limitations and embracing the infinite possibilities of digital existence, the PPL figures provide a glimpse into a future where personal identity transcends conventional notions of gender, age, race, and ethnicity.
Furthermore, the project explores the intricate interplay between the digital and physical realms, challenging our understanding of established principles like physics, time, and even the nature of reality within the new digital paradigm. The abstract forms, colors, textures, and movements of the PPL figures serve as conduits for emotional connection, prompting viewers to reflect on their own memories and experiences, encapsulated in gestures such as loving embraces, kisses, waves, bows, and more.
By showcasing the convergence of technology and artistic expression, the “PPL” project encapsulates a contemporary perspective on the digitized evolution of humanity. It serves as a visual representation of the profound societal changes occurring in our world, where the boundaries between physical and digital realms are increasingly blurred. Within the realm of digital space, we unleash our humanity, engaging in joyful activities, expressing love, and fully living our lives. Through this exploration, the PPL project invites viewers to contemplate the vast potential and existential questions that arise as we navigate the transitional space between the primitive and the digital.
View the project here:
https://www.lasergunfactory.com/ppl
Text and Animations by, J. Scuderi (Lasergun Factory)
Reference links:
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
https://openai.com/
https://www.midjourney.com/
https://stablediffusionweb.com/
METAVERSE
https://www.matthewball.vc/