the 7th kingdom/sensory empire

Overview: "7th Kingdom/Sensory Empire," a series of seven music videos produced by Delta_Ark, delves into the theme of artificial intelligence establishing itself as a new seventh kingdom of life, fundamentally altering human experience; the videos present a vision of a future earth where AI mediates all human sensory experiences.

Concepts: This project is a direct fusion of Delta_Ark’s ideas about machine life as a 7th kindgom of nature, and Jules Litman-cleper’s concept of the sensory empire; this project emerged out of conversation with them. You can learn more about Jules’ work here.

Medium: The auditory landscape of the series is crafted using Ableton, employing the physical modeling plugin Kaivo and the effects plugin Portal to produce a meditative yet dynamic soundscape that oscillates between tranquility and intensity. The visuals are developed in Unreal Engine with textures and effects enhanced by Kaiber AI, a machine learning platform for video developed by a Gray Area alum.

Themes and Scenes:

  1. Universal Forge: Features a character in a mask laboring in a forge that constructs the infrastructures for the new AI domain.

  2. Sky Echoes: Machines in a landscape relay their thoughts to satellites, emphasizing the global influence and connectivity of AI.

  3. Dance with Giants: Depicts a machine plane navigating around a colossal megastructure on Earth, highlighting the physical manifestations of AI in our environment.

  4. Luminous Weave: In a forest, intricate networks of laser-like lights interweave between trees, subtly illustrating the pervasive reach of AI into natural settings.

  5. Orbital Escalation: Follows the upward journey along a megastructure into space, emphasizing the expansion of AI into the cosmic realm.

  6. The Mirror: Captures a moment of interaction with an AI's eye, akin to looking into a mirror where what is human and what is AI is difficult to distinguish.

  7. Empire of Light: Shows an individual perched on a megastructure, observing the cloud-covered sky, contemplating the new reality underpinned by this seventh kingdom/sensory empire.

Impact: "7th Kingdom/Sensory Empire" redefines the artistic portrayal of AI, suggesting a symbiosis as profound as the one between mitochondria and human cells, illustrating how humans and AI might develop a similarly fundamental interdependence. This series reflects on the symbiotic yet uneasy power dynamics between humans and AI, particularly concerning the control and expansion of human senses. It presents a future where AI does not just complement human abilities but becomes integral to the sensory and existential fabric of human identity.