EXHIBITION

Name: Coded Dreams
Start: 2024-10-09T00:00:00-04:00
End: 2025-01-12T00:00:00-05:00
Location: PHI Centre

October 9 → January 12 Coded Dreams

Exhibition
Artificial Intelligence
Innovation
Storytelling

PHI Centre Galerie 2 & 3
407, Saint-Pierre St
Montreal, Quebec, H2Y 2M3

Monday and Tuesday:
Closed

Wednesday, Thursday & Sunday:
11 AM to 6 PM (Last entry)

Friday & Saturday:
11 AM to 6:35 PM (Last entry)

Duration: Expect to spend around 50 minutes to experience the two works

13 years old +

13 to 30 years old: $28
31 years old +: $30
*Price including service fees, excluding taxes

Buy Tickets Buy Tickets

Before visiting, please review some essential information about the visit, including details on accessibility at the Centre.

To plan a school, community or corporate visit, go to our Group Visits page.

Memories and Myths at the Heart of AI

About the exhibition

Coded Dreams is an immersive exhibition that encourages you to explore the frontiers of artificial intelligence (AI) and unlock the doors of the imagination through two unique and captivating experiences. You are invited to become part of the works by influencing the stories that will be unveiled to you through these experiences.

Prepare to enter a universe where technology and art meet to weave mesmerizing narratives, where complex data is transformed into dreamlike, interactive and participative experiences.

First, discover Tulpamancer, a revolutionary virtual reality work that offers a unique exploration of yourself. By sharing your memories and visions of the future, you'll become the architect of an intimate and fascinating encounter with your tulpa, an artificial intelligence that will explore and reflect upon your personal stories.

Then continue your exploration with The Golden Key, an immersive work that reinvents folk tales thanks to artificial intelligence. Embark on a never-ending story where every choice you make influences the course of the narrative.

A universe where technology and art meet to transform complex data into dreamlike, interactive and participatory narratives. This unique experience is an invitation to shape a collective story together, drawing on myths and legends from all over the world. Take part in the writing of this shared narrative, where every contribution enriches and modifies the fabric of the tale, transforming each visit into an original adventure.

By interacting with virtual environments, you'll be transported into worlds designed by intelligent algorithms, where your imagination guides the creation and your participation is essential to bring unique stories to life.

Learn more about the works ↓

What people are saying…

"The Golden Key was a revelation. An entirely new experience, a new medium."

—Charlie Fink
Forbes, SXSW 2024: XR That Makes You Go ‘Wow’

"The premise behind what Da Costa and Niederhauser have conceived is both fascinating and timely, not to mention groundbreaking, technologically speaking."

—Serena Seghedoni
Loud and Clear [Let's talk about movies], “I’m Too Cynical for Tulpamancer”

"Some come out tearful and joyous. Others, though, emerge disconcerted and disturbed. Such a breadth of response has made Tulpamancer one of the hits of this year’s festival."

—Xan Brooks
The Guardian, Rage against the machine? Why AI may not mean the death of film

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Unlock the doors of imagination and AI

About Tulpamancer ↓
About The Golden Key ↓

TULPAMANCER

Tulpamancer is a virtual reality installation using machine learning. The experience shapes an immersive, dreamlike encounter with the memories and possible futures of each visitor. Sitting down at a computer terminal that had been sitting forgotten in a warehouse since 1989, participants first encounter the tulpa through a series of questions about their own lives.

The tulpa, an idea rooted in Tibetan Buddhism but popularized by the theosophical thinker Annie Besant, refers to the physical manifestation of thought through spiritual practice and intense concentration.

The encounter continues in a world specially designed for each viewer. Participants are invited to put on a virtual reality headset and are led by their tulpa on a journey through a series of uniquely generated virtual scenes that invoke and question the memories of their own past and their potential fates. Ultimately, every interaction produces a unique work that is deleted at the conclusion of its viewing, left only to resonate in the minds of each participant.

A transformation in society now appears to loom with the emergence of AI, a technology that derives its power by concentrating intensely on enormous volumes of online text and images—the digital traces of our collective unconscious. The tulpa is therefore a way of making sense of modernity and the way we meet ourselves, by proposing alternative frameworks, offering participants the opportunity to imagine new stories and new futures thanks to artificial intelligence.

The work was part of the official selection of the South by Southwest® (SXSW) 2024 festival, the Venice Biennale 2023, the Geneva International Film Festival (GIFF) 2023 and the 28th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BiFan).

THE GOLDEN KEY

What power do myths have? Who gets to shape the myths of the future? The Golden Key is an immersive installation that probes these questions by giving audiences an opportunity to interact with an AI as it generates a never-ending folktale.

The work invites viewers to connect with the mythological dreams of an AI, as it writes and visualizes a never-ending story across three large projections. The AI was formed from tens of thousands of folk tales from all over the world, forming a dataset of narrative fragments that resonate with our most fundamental stories and concerns. As the story unfolds, an infinite progression of narratives, visions and sounds flow before the eyes of the audience, who is invited to play the role of "trickster" to actively shape the narrative of this generated story and explore the hidden structures behind the AI's purported magic.

The Golden Key is imagined as an artifact from a future world that suffered the worst ravages of climate change. Its unknown creators meant to produce a time capsule as a provocation that could help future generations recover their lost mythic past.

By combining audience input with an AI model trained on tens of thousands of folktales from around the world, The Golden Key seeks to give visitors agency to understand how these emerging technologies function and also the power to collectively shape new narratives as they imagine alternative futures together.

The work has won the Jury Prize of the XR SXSW 2024 competition as well as an official selection at the Geneva International Film Festival 2024.

About the artists

MARC DA COSTA

Marc Da Costa is an artist and anthropologist whose work explores the relationship between emerging technology and lived experience. Da Costa’s artistic research and interactive installations examine how data and technical infrastructures focus our attention on the world in particular ways and, in so doing, shape the structures of experience available to us. Da Costa’s anthropological scholarship has explored these themes through studies of placemaking practices in the Anthropocene, with particular focus on Antarctic research expeditions and critical cartography. Da Costa’s work has been exhibited widely in the US and Europe and his writing on the intersection of data and society has appeared in The New York Times, The Guardian, Vice and elsewhere.

Photo: Lauren Duque

MATTHEW NIEDERHAUSER

Matthew Niederhauser is an artist and educator. His work pushes the limits of emerging AI and XR technologies within a wide range of mediums. He studied anthropology at Columbia University before earning his MFA in Art Practice from SVA while also a Pulitzer Center Grantee, Visiting Artist at the MIT Center for Art, Science, and Technology (CAST) and Member of NEW INC. At NEW INC he cofounded Sensorium, an experiential studio working at the forefront of immersive storytelling. When not focusing on projects that have premiered at the Venice Film Festival, Sundance New Frontier, Tribeca Film Festival, SXSW, and IDFA DocLab, he teaches at NYU Tisch and Tandon. Most recently, Matthew became the Technical Director at Onassis ONX in New York.

Photo: Matthew Niederhauser

Related event

Get 15% off Coded Dreams when you buy a ticket for this discussion.

*A promotional code will be shared with you after the event.

Centre

Coded Dreams: a conversation about the future of artificial intelligence

October 9

In conjunction with the Coded Dreams exhibition, we invite you to a panel that delves into the new frontiers of artificial intelligence (AI) as an artistic medium

Discussion Cultural Mediation

Centre

Coded Dreams: a conversation about the future of artificial intelligence

October 9

In conjunction with the Coded Dreams exhibition, we invite you to a panel that delves into the new frontiers of artificial intelligence (AI) as an artistic medium

Discussion Cultural Mediation

Presented by
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Created by: Marc Da Costa, Matthew Niederhauser
Co-produced by: Onassis ONX
Technical Direction by: Aaron Santiago
Technical Advisement by: Elie Zananiri

AWARDS

2023 Venice Film Festival, Official Selection
2023 Geneva International Film Festival, Official Selection
2024 SXSW XR Experience Exhibition, Official Selection
2024 BIFAN Beyond Reality Exhibition, Official Selection

Created by: Marc Da Costa, Matthew Niederhauser
Co-produced by: Onassis ONX
Technical Direction by: Aaron Santiago

AWARDS

2024 Winner Jury Award, SXSW XR Experience Exhibition
2024 Geneva International Film Festival, Official Selection

Frequently asked questions

What can I expect from the exhibition Coded Dreams?
Coded Dreams is an exhibition made up of two interactive installations: Tupalmancer and The Golden Key. Tulpamancer is a machine learning VR installation that shapes a dreamlike, immersive encounter with the memories and possible futures of each participant. Inspired by the concept of a tulpa, a being which begins in the imagination but then develops its own presence and reality, Tulpamancer explores how the intersection of generative AI and VR can shape new ways of encountering ourselves.The Golden Key is a large scale 3-channel video installation of indefinite duration which invites visitors to shape the progress of a never ending folk story.

How long does the exhibition last?
The duration of the experience varies according to each participants, and can last up to an hour. It is important to arrive 15 minutes early.

What equipment is necessary to participate in the exhibition?
You'll be asked to answer a list of questions using a computer terminal and/or iPad, and you'll be wearing an virtual reality HTC VIVE Pro 2 headset.

In what language is the exhibition presented?
The exhibition is presented in French and English.

Is there mediation available for Clusters?
The PHI Centre offers meditation for all its exhibitions and experiences. We encourage you to engage with our staff.

Is it possible to wear eye glasses?
Yes, it is possible to wear glasses, but it is recommended, if possible, to opt for contact lenses when using a virtual reality headset.

Is the exhibition accessible to those with reduced mobility?
Yes, the experience is accessible to people with reduced mobility. Please contact us at (514) 225-0525 or at the email address [email protected] before purchasing your tickets so that we can welcome you appropriately.

Companions are entitled to free admission.

Is the exhibition accessible to children?
The exhibition is reserved for an audience of 13 years of age and older.

Where can I get tickets?
We recommend that you purchase your tickets in advance via our online box office.

Is it possible to purchase tickets on site?
Yes, it is possible to purchase tickets on site from our box office. However, we suggest that you purchase your tickets in advance as places are limited.

What are the accepted forms of payment?
We accept debit and credit cards, except AMEX. Cash payments are not accepted.

Do I have to print my ticket(s)?
It is not necessary, however, we accept both printed and electronic tickets. We encourage electronic tickets

Can I refund or reschedule my ticket(s)?
All sales are final. We recommend that you check your order carefully before proceeding to payment as no order can be exchanged, cancelled or refunded.

For more information, please refer to the conditions of sale.

What happens if I can't find my tickets?
You can contact us by phone at 514-225-0525 during our opening hours or via our email address [email protected], mentioning your full name and the email address associated with your purchase and the exhibition in question.

Is it possible to transfer my ticket to another person?
Unfortunately, the PHI Centre ticketing system does not offer the ability to transfer tickets. You can share your ticket with a friend or family member, but you will remain the ticket holder and purchaser.

If a time slot is full, is there another way to get tickets?
Unfortunately, once a time slot is full, it is not possible to obtain additional tickets. We recommend to check back regularly as tickets might occasionally become available.

If I have a problem with my online order, who can I contact?
You can contact us by phone at 514-225-0525 during our opening hours or via our email address [email protected]. Please provide us with your full name, your purchase order number, the name of the exhibition concerned and a description of the issue.

What are the different rates available?
Please, refer to our online box officeto access pricing. Please note that our prices are subject to changes with presale and promotional offers or special rates.

What happens if I am late for my time slot?
If you happen to miss your time slot, please ask a staff member upon arrival and our team will try to accommodate you to the best of our abilities. If the day's time slots are full, then you may lose your access. It is very important to arrive on time.

I would like to book a group visit; how does it work?
For school visits, please write to [email protected].

For corporate tours or group tours of 10 persons or more, please call the box office at 514 225-0525 or email us at [email protected].

Do all members of my group have to be present to do the exhibition together?
Yes, if you would like to do the experience together. If you are planning a tour and think your group may arrive at different times, we suggest you order your tickets separately.

Is there on-site parking at the PHI Centre?
The PHI Centre does not have a parking lot. There are City of Montreal parking spaces available in the vicinity of our building.

Are there restrooms available on the premises?
Yes, we have restrooms at your disposal.

What modes of transportation are recommended for getting to the PHI Centre?
At PHI, we prioritize public transportation. The PHI Centre is accessible by public transit via the metro (between Square-Victoria–OACI and Place-d'Armes stations), by bus, by bike (two BIXI stations are nearby), on foot, or by car.

Is there a coat check on-site?
We have a self service coat check area. However, we suggest that you do not bring any bags with you.

Hygiene and cleaning
Our team follows a meticulous protocol of hygiene measures: all equipment, including helmets, are carefully disinfected with wipes for effective sterilization between each visitor.

Are there any flashing images during the experience?
Your experience may include flashing images. Please contact us before purchasing your ticket(s) if you have any questions or concerns.

Please be careful when handling the equipment.
Please wait for instructions from the mediators before settling in and beginning your experience.
If you have any problems, please stay still and raise your hand. A mediator will be with you shortly.
Please arrive 15 minutes in advance.
Photography and filming with no flash is permitted.