Yes, I'm Here.


An off-site installation about artificial intelligence and smart home technology presented by the Art Gallery of Southwestern Manitoba, Brandon, CA


29.09.18- 20.10.18


Poster from Yes, I'm Here. AGSM, Brandon, CA, 2018.


Exhibition view from Yes, I'm Here.
Digital animation with audio, laser-cut vinyl lettering, seating, white lilies, Amazon Alexa, voice activated smart fans and light bulbs, AGSM, Brandon, CA, 2018.


Exhibition view from Yes, I'm Here.
Digital animation with audio, laser-cut vinyl lettering, seating, white lilies, Amazon Alexa, voice activated smart fans and light bulbs, AGSM, Brandon, CA, 2018.


Exhibition view from Yes, I'm Here.
Digital animation with audio, laser-cut vinyl lettering, seating, white lilies, Amazon Alexa, voice activated smart fans and light bulbs, AGSM, Brandon, CA, 2018.


Exhibition view from Yes, I'm Here.
Digital animation with audio, laser-cut vinyl lettering, seating, white lilies, Amazon Alexa, voice activated smart fans and light bulbs, AGSM, Brandon, CA, 2018.


Exhibition view from Yes, I'm Here.
Digital animation with audio, laser-cut vinyl lettering, seating, white lilies, Amazon Alexa, voice activated smart fans and light bulbs, AGSM, Brandon, CA, 2018.


Exhibition view from Yes, I'm Here.
Digital animation with audio, laser-cut vinyl lettering, seating, white lilies, Amazon Alexa, voice activated smart fans and light bulbs, AGSM, Brandon, CA, 2018.


Exhibition view from Yes, I'm Here.
Digital animation with audio, laser-cut vinyl lettering, seating, white lilies, Amazon Alexa, voice activated smart fans and light bulbs, AGSM, Brandon, CA, 2018.


Exhibition view from Yes, I'm Here.
Digital animation with audio, laser-cut vinyl lettering, seating, white lilies, Amazon Alexa, voice activated smart fans and light bulbs, AGSM, Brandon, CA, 2018.


Exhibition view from Yes, I'm Here.
Digital animation with audio, laser-cut vinyl lettering, seating, white lilies, Amazon Alexa, voice activated smart fans and light bulbs, AGSM, Brandon, CA, 2018.


Exhibition view from Yes, I'm Here.
Digital animation with audio, laser-cut vinyl lettering, seating, white lilies, Amazon Alexa, voice activated smart fans and light bulbs, AGSM, Brandon, CA, 2018.






Yes, I’m here was a project by Emmy Skensved and Gregory Blunt probing the promises and perils of artificial intelligence, smart home technology, and the rising use of voice activated personal assistants, such as Amazon’s Alexa. Hosted off-site at the historic Bass Building in downtown Brandon, their multi-media installation contained a two-channel digitally-animated video, and an audio work that controlled elements within the exhibition space via voice commands.

Featuring a speculative conversation between an individual and her voice activated personal assistant, the work touches upon themes of convenience, efficiency, and security. Blunt x Skensved examine how much these devices can learn from humans and whether they could eventually operate independently from their users. When one invites AI into the intimate space of one’s home, they are entering into a contract, relinquishing a certain degree of control and privacy in exchange for convenience; Blunt x Skensved cast a skeptical eye towards the level of transparency in this exchange, asking what the potential ramifications and outcomes of this increasingly invisible presence are.

Curated by John Hampton


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Made possible with generous support from the Canada Council for the Arts