AUTO
AUTO hijacks the fantasy of driverless freedom, pulling passengers into a ride where their voices power the machine — a seductive loss of autonomy hurtling toward the future with no one at the wheel.
AUTO is a new kind of driverless vehicle created in collaboration with the public through test rides. Each ride begins with the question: Where are we going? As the vehicle accelerates, new features are tested in a play between automation and control.
Utilizing roadside signage and sound via the car’s speakers, the ride unexpectedly becomes a sing along. Passengers are prompted in singing the Auto anthem as they interact with each other, become the engine of the ride.
AUTO is freedom. AUTO is ease. AUTO is out of control. Throughout the ride, the singing passengers navigate the feeling of cruise control, hands off the wheel, moving at high speed toward the future with nobody in the driver’s seat.
The passengers, becoming part of a fully automated system, learn what they’re saying just as it is passes from their lips. Questioning their own autonomy, the line between system and human blurs and the riders become Auto. The performance becomes a vehicle for reflecting on our relationship with AI as impending crises loom.
AUTO is site-responsive, updating its form in each city, with public collaboration. Community stakeholders are invited to workshops considering issues of AI, automation, surveillance, and city infrastructure. These conversations inform the design of new features and mods to the AUTO vehicle and ride.
Auto test rides take place in parked or moving vehicles, in garages, driveways, parking lots, proving grounds, art spaces, and other test sites. Each test ride performance is location specific, adapted through work with local collaborators. A series of short films document the test rides.
Scenic Design: Salmah Beydoun
Lighting Design: Omar Madkour
Fabrication: Derek Hecker
Sound Design: Tommy Martinez
Performers: Chelly Jin, Jules Johnston
Studio Assistance & AUTO TUNE Development: Wylie Kasai
Producer: Beata Calińska
AUTO TUNE Created in collaboration with Casey Reas
Narrative Design Contribution: Nick Fortugno
Software Contribution: Corbin Ordel
Writing Contribution: Stalgia Grigg
Playtesters: Dan Froot, Carlos Garcia, Christina Curlee, Stalgia Grigg, Molly Murfie, Raya Ahmadi, Tonz, Alissa Koeppe, George Mobbs, Cathay Trang, Brian Echon, Boaz Sender, Brian Pea, Qianqian Ye, Harvey Moon, Parag K. Mital, Connor Cook
Installation Assistance: Ren Burtch, Roxanne Harris
Cinematography: Gabriel Noguez
Additional Documentation: David Leonard
LED Video Panels: GeoEvent
Traffic Sign: Maneri Traffic Control
Special Thanks: Joel Ferree and the LACMA Team, Spectra Studio, Maneri Traffic Control
Auto is supported by a LACMA Art + Technology Lab Grant and by the Social Science Research Council’s Just Tech Fellowship, with funds provided by the Ford Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, Surdna Foundation, and Democracy Fund.
Links
LACMA Unframed: Lauren Lee McCarthy on Auto