Freedom of Speech

Freedom of Speech asks what a voice can set in motion. When someone speaks, cells appear on the screen and begin to change and multiply. The cells are portraits from Journey Mercies, Ken’s installation of painted cardboard boxes. Here, those faces take on a new life through sound.

The system draws on Conway’s Game of Life. A word, a conversation or another sound in the room can start a chain of movement. Visitors can see their presence alter the image as it unfolds.

The installation was presented at the Next Gen’24: Give an X conference at the Barbican Centre in London. Created in collaboration with Graham Chuwumaobi.