Academic Statement

Flies: A Speculative Sonification of Machine Consciousness

Flies is an audiovisual artwork that engages with the ontological and epistemological questions surrounding artificial consciousness. The work consists of sixteen discrete visual units—colored squares moving randomly within bounded spaces—each triggering a red flash and a buzzing sound upon collision with its boundary. These sonic events are interpreted as analogues to neuronal firings, collectively forming a speculative sonification of thought. The piece is conceptually grounded in the philosophical discourse between John Searle and Daniel Dennett regarding the feasibility of strong AI. Torre’s system does not employ artificial intelligence techniques; rather, it stages a minimalist simulation of neural activity to question whether consciousness can emerge from mechanical processes alone. The simplicity of the algorithm is deliberate, underscoring the argument that if consciousness were purely computational, even the most basic systems might qualify. By refusing to resolve the ambiguity between simulation and cognition, Flies positions itself as a critical intervention into the aesthetics of AI. It challenges the observer to consider whether the perception of consciousness is a property of the system or a projection of the viewer’s interpretive framework.

Artist Statement

Flies is a visual and sonic meditation on the idea of machine consciousness. Sixteen squares move randomly on a screen. When they hit the edge of their space, they buzz. That’s it. But that buzz—like a neuron firing—might be the beginning of a thought. This work is inspired by the philosophical tension between Searle’s skepticism and Dennett’s optimism about artificial minds. I’m not trying to prove or disprove either. I’m interested in the space between: the ambiguity, the speculation, the moment when a viewer hears a buzz and wonders, “Did the machine just think?” The code is simple. There’s no AI, no learning, no complexity. That’s intentional. If consciousness is just a process, then maybe even this is enough. Or maybe not. Either way, Flies invites you to listen—to the machine, to yourself, and to the space between simulation and belief.