Homonculus Spectator

Homonculus Spectator is a research-creation installation that combines information and communication sciences, artificial intelligence, and artistic practice.

Inspired by Penfield’s homunculus—a representation of the human body proportional to the regions of the cortex associated with motor function or sensation—DataDada has designed a device that captures visitors’ postures in front of the artworks and transforms them into data analyzed by AI. The machine’s interpretation of this data takes the form of a deliberately imperfect 3D figurine: if the visitor spends little time in front of the artwork, the figurine appears to be running; if the visitor holds up their phone, the figurine’s eyes become a rectangle. At the end of the visit, each visitor discovers their own Homonculus Spectator.

The goal is not to faithfully reproduce the lived experience but to highlight the disconnect between what a person feels and what the machine understands.

The installation was presented at three partner cultural venues:
at the Cube Garges. video
at the Enghien-les-Bains Art Center. video
at the Musée d’Orsay. video


Project leaders:
Sébastien APPIOTTI, GRIPIC, CELSA - Sorbonne University
Bérengère Voisin, CEMTI, Paris 8 University Vincennes Saint-Denis


Associate researchers:
Julie Peghini, Paris 8 University
Tito Lignon, Sorbonne University - CELSA
Camille Rondot, Sorbonne University - CELSA
Clément Coustenoble, TMN Lab


3D modeling:
Julien Brard, Vincent Guérin


Project website:
www.homonculus-spectator.fr

All videos:
www.youtube.com/@HomonculusSpectator
Directed by: Gestuelle, Andréa Fernandez