ACAB - All Cops Are Bastards // Autotune Compensates Any Bullshit
The work ‘Acab - ‘ consists of screenprints, collage and an autotune audio piece with Anarchist texts/manifestos from zines from all over Europe, as well as from Anarchist text generators (AI).
This work was developed for and exhibited at Nieuwe Vide for ‘The Hills are alive with the sound of Muzak’ about the influance of sound around us, in 2015. It was shown together with works of Yael Bartana, Erik Bünger, Mika Taanila, Klaas Koetje, Natasha Taylor, Toon Fibbe, Ivette ‘Mrova’ Zub, Steven Jouwersma, Jeff Gibson and Danae Valenza.
Saskia raises questions about how to deal with violence and communication within anarchist movements. given the complex relationship between these several sorts of roots up organized communities and law enforcement. Questions rooted in her research-based theory on social hierarchies and rules. Who makes the rules when communicating anarchist tactics to others? What words are permitted or chaces someone away? Her installations highlight the ways in which (police) violence reinforces existing power structures, but it is also a critical examination of the strategies and tactics used by roots up organized but splintered movements (like antifa)to resist oppression dynamics and she asks questions on how to confront (police) violence, while also exploring alternative forms of community safety and conflict resolution as the onsequense of the use of violence is not the same for everybody. For this work they worked with an AI-generator to mix anarchist pamphlets with contradicting messages and outcries, they use autotune as a voice effect, that only used the notes "A.C.A.B",limiting the options in tone, but also as a semi hidden message within her critique. This project explores the intersection between technology and activism, and the complex thought on the mix of messages by all these movements wanting to dismantle power. Hopefully it challenges and subverts traditional power structures integrated in every movement.
In today's digital age, the intersection of activism, technology, and the constant stream of information presents a unique challenge. While technology has undoubtedly played a pivotal role in facilitating social movements and creating a platform for marginalized voices, it has also created a chaotic, overwhelming space where mixed messages can easily spread, including those that advocate for the use of violence in achieving social change. It is essential to question the ethics of such messages and the potential harm they may cause to different sorts of people. When is resistance violence and when is it civil disobedience when it is used by who? While violence has historically been a tool of resistance for marginalized communities, it is critical to consider its consequences and whether it aligns with the movement's values and goals on the long run. As such, it's crucial to remain vigilant and intentional in our use of technology and information, especially when it comes to activism and be critical of the term activism that should be deeply rooted in leftist ideology of social equality.
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