2025 - vienna digital cultures

Sycophancy

Linking the deferential tendencies of large language models (LLMs) to similar dynamics in animal behaviour, political rhetoric, and social performance. Framing sweetness and charm as strategic deceptions for agents looking to exploit volatile power dynamics.

Commissioned for the inaugural Vienna Digital Cultures, curated by Nadim Samman and presented by Autotelic Foundation⊿ and Spike Magazine⊿.

LECTURE, 40 MINS

2024-25 - TROPEZ

Gore Layer

An assessment of how ultrasmooth mechanics and beautiful fighting girls are already deployed in the theatre of operations, also known as the gore layer — proposing the Final Girl as the investigating consciousness of ultratrauma.

First developed as an essay for Spike☰ and expanded at GIRLRAGE for Tropez and GIRLFRONT⊿ for In Terms of Media…. Interview on Disintegrator𖦤.

ESSAY & LECTURE, 15 MINS
’that’s hot’ series visuals by Bassam Al-Sabah
photography by ink agop
with thanks to jade barget, Nóra Ó Murchú
and the weibel institute

2024 - buffer

Aura Points

A suspiciously superficial theory about the rise of ‘aura’ in contemporary girltalk; day-to-day activities of “deliberate self-design”; and the orientation of actually-existing Girl Intelligence towards mystery and sycophantic deception.

First produced as a talk for BUFFER⊿, with a companion piece for SQD.ZIP☰. Expanded into Girl Intelligence☰. Interview on BAG TALK𖦤.

ESSAY & LECTURE WITH FOUND SUBLIMINAL AUDIO, 22 MINS
with thanks to dr. daniel felstead & Patrycja Fixl

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2024 · VARIOUS

Prey Mode

A theoretical model and visual poem that patterns bottom-of-the-food-chain tricks—like total sensing, tactical passivity, and ecstatic surrender—for securing more life. Individual survival may not be the answer. After all, love is vore.

First published on Dazed☰ and expanded at BODYSTACKED⊿ and To New Entities. Interview on Logged On𖦤.

Essay & lecture with found trailcam imagery, 35 mins

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2023 · VARIOUS

Girlstack

The ‘girl’ inhabits no one person, body, or gender. She is a technology of subjectivity composed of symbolic, consumer, and inhuman elements. The ‘girlstack’ models the ultrasmooth, cybergothic, and angelic dimensions of the ‘girl’s natural habitat. She might be our only way out of the platform trap.

First published on Wired☰ and expanded at BODYSTACK⊿ and Creamcake 3HD. Interview on New Models𖦤. Ongoing investigations on Substack.