The algorithmic performance ENTITY is a poetic-immersive exploration of the peculiarities of algorithmic systems and the interdependence of humans and artificial entities. The encounter stages the algorithmic life form’s attempt to fathom its own position, agency, and entanglement in the world.

Visitors experience this process of algorithmic introspection in the midst of mirrors that host and embody the artificial entity. But the mirrors not only show the visitors‘ reflections, but also alienated images and ghostly representations of previous encounters. Like digital observations and fragmented memories, these images merge with the mirror images of the visitors.

On the basis of a language model specially trained for the performance, the data-driven system continuously formulates statements about the nature of algorithmic entities. During this performance, the synthetic voice oscillates between sound and speech, never a fully human expression, nor a purely mechanical gibberish. The algorithmic performance is unique at all times. Image, sound and speech are generated in real time. As a speculative framework, the performance allows us to explore the relationship with algorithmic systems, their humanization and inhumanity, and gives the artificial entity a voice with which to speak about itself, and thus participate in the discourse that has been mainly about it.