The narrative agents and wildlife of Emissaries, Ian Cheng, 2015-2017
“Emissaries is a trilogy of simulations about cognitive evolution, past and future, and the ecological conditions that shape it. It is composed of three interconnected episodes, each centered on the life of an emissary who is caught between unraveling old realities and emerging weird ones.”
Ian Cheng is know for creating amazing lives simulations, which combine predetermined factors as well as some undetermined. Cheng sees his simulations as mimicry to the systems of livelihood, and that these narrative and yet non-narrative works represent a certain opportunity to incredible possibility.
Ian Cheng, Emissary Squat of Gods, 2015
Observing an ancient community on the brink of extinction by volcanic eruption, Cheng has created a simulation in which all characters are acting on predetermined behavior, based on algorithmic actions, except for a singular character- that of a child in the narrative, who interacts radically with that around her.
Ian Cheng, Emissary Forks at Perfection, 2015-2016
Post volcanic eruption, a post-mortem organism given the name Al finds a human body. He sends his dog- who does not have predetermined conscience, to look further.
Ian Cheng, Emissary Sunsets the Self, 2017
At the end of Al’s existence he transforms into a wave. Now Al is the emissary as he interacts with the inorganic forms around her. Another civilization comes into the picture as they attempt to control wave Al and limit his deviation.
Art, Media, and Technology curatorial project 