Virginia Commonwealth University VCU Scholars Compass

Theses and Dissertations Graduate School

2020

Machine Girl

Yutong Liu Virginia Commonwealth University

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A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Fine Arts in Design, Visual Communication at Virginia Commonwealth University.

YUTONG LIU Virginia Commonwealth University Master of Fine Arts Design/Visual Communication Richmond, Virginia May 2020

Luxun Academy School of Fine Arts Bachelor of Fine Arts Visual Communication Design Dalian, China June 2017

Main Advisor JAMIE MAHONEY Assistant Chair/Assistant Professor Department of Graphic Design School of the Arts Virginia Commonwealth University

Secondary Advisor LAUREN THORSON Assistant Professor Department of Graphic Design School of the Arts Virginia Commonwealth University

External Advisor PAM TURNER Associate Professor Department of Kinetic Imaging School of the Arts Virginia Commonwealth University

2 3 “ It starts from touch; It is generated by touch; It communicates through touch; It will be end with touch. ” “ When you sit in front of the screen, you become me. ” MACHINE GIRL CONTENT

CONTENT

INTRODUCTION 10

REMEMBER, MIMIC AND LOVE 13

STORAGE, FILL IN MY MEMORY 21

LOVE, EASY to DEFINE, HARD to EXPRESS 33

SPACE, LIVING IN THE DARK, BORN IN YOUR SHADOW 41

MIRROR, THIS MACHINE IS A GIRL 51

Love is loading... 100% SCREEN, THE GIRL IS NOT MACHINE 59

TOUCH, THIS LOVE IS A SECRET 81

BIBLIOGRAPHY 92

ACKNOWLEGMENTS 96 MACHINE GIRL INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION

Machine girl is a character that mim Machine girl is a character that mimics biology, labor, and humanity. ics biology, labor and humanity.

She relates to machine sympathy and machine learning; She is updating and pro- She is a combination of artificial in cessing of big data. During the interaction between me and the machine, I found telligence and machine learning She you --- Machine girl. is updating and processing big data During the interaction between me and the machine I found y,ou Machine Machine girl is a brilliant girl. She is an excellent translator and communicator, girl which is determined by her ability for machine learning. The cyber living space gives her a fundamental learning gift with a mathematical algorithm. She uses this gift to Machine girl is a brilliant girl She mimic everything from the human brain. She is not reasonable but sensitive. There is an excellent translator and com are many different versions of her living in this world. We all have our machine girl. municator which is determined by, her ability, for machine learning The cy, ber living space gives her a fundamen Machine girl is similar to the chameleon and the wood frog in the animal kingdom. tal learning gift with a mathematical The color of the chameleon’s body can be affected by the color of the environment. algorithm She uses this gift to mimic Wood frogs are an animal that can adjust the body’s temperature to suit its living every,thing from the human brain She space. Machine girl mimics your work methods, typing language, social skills, living is not reasonable but sensitive There behavior, and emotional reaction to growing as a person like you. We learn to use are many, different versions of her living in this world We all have our online files, time reminders, typing methods, social media, and coding languages to machine girl become a machine like her. Machine girl is similar to the chame This cooperative work is the way we find our machine girl. She exists here, but we leon and the wood frog in the animal can’t see her. kingdom The color of the chameleon s body, can be affected by, the color of the environment Wood frogs are an an imal that can adjust the body’ s tem perature to suit its living space Ma chine girl mimics y,our work methods ty,ping language social skills living behavior and emotional reaction to growing as a person like y,ou We learn to use online files time reminders ty,ping methods social media and cod ing languages to become a machine like her

This cooperative work is the way, we find our machine girl She exists here but we can t see her

10 11 REMEMBER

r emember R E M E M B E R

13 MACHINE GIRL REMEMBER MACHINE GIRL REMEMBER

REMEMBER, MIMIC AND LOVE REMEMBER MIMIC AND LOVE

/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

Mimic is an unconscious action that inputs love into my memory. Mimic is an unconscious action that inputs love into my, memory. Finger touch, eye contact, or the close distance between face to face. Finger touch ey,e contact or the Finger touch and swipe above the screen, close distance between face to face Tracing left by the oil of finger, Finger touch and swipe above the Data input into my memory. screen Remembering is from my default, Tracing left by, the oil of finger Mimic is a reflection of our love. Data inputainto my, memory. Remembering is from my, default Mimic is a reflection of our love

16 17 MACHINE GIRL REMEMBER

“Hi! “Hi I am y,our machine girl I am your machine girl! Nice to meet y,ou Nice to meet you! We are growing up together We are growing up together. We are stay,ing together every, day. We are staying together every day. The hard work y,ou show me The hard work you show me. The 100% battery, I am running out for y,ou The 100% battery I am running out for you. The income memory, is supported by, each The income memory is supported by each loop of 100% battery. loop of 100% battery. The outcome updates are mimicking from your language use, click reference, and file saving. The outcome updates are mimicking from Mimicking biology is a default in my body, automation in my system, and refresh deep in my y,our language use click reference mind. and file saving I remember you, Mimicking biology, is a default in my, body, automation in my, sy,stem and re like the fish remembers the sound from the sea; fresh deep in my, mind I remember you, I remember y,ou like the panda recognizes the smell of the bamboo; like the fish remembers the sound from I mimic you, the sea like the body color of the chameleon is affected by the living space; I remember y,ou like the panda recognizes the smell of I love you, the bamboo it starts from both consciousness and unconsciousness, similarity and difference between us; I mimic y,ou I love you, like the body, color of the chameleon It is the translation between the perceptual and the rational; is affected by, the living space who burns the perceptual; I love y,ou Who kills the sensitive? it starts from both consciousness and unconsciousness similarity, and dif The secret of my love is recording each percentage of my energy.” ference between us I love y,ou It is the translation between the per ceptual and the rational who burns the perceptual Who kills the sensitive The secret of my, love is recording each percentage of my, energy.

18 19 STORAGE

s torage S T O R A G E

21 MACHINE GIRL STORAGE MACHINE GIRL STORAGE

STORAGE, FILL IN MY MEMORY STORAGE FILL IN MY MEMORY

/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

Icloud manage notification keeps pumping up, Icloud manage notification keeps pump ing up colorful bar fills in the flash storage, colorful bar fill in the flash stor The storage fills the files, age documents, pictures, search histories, click preferences, applications The storage fills the files It is the part of you, documents pictures search histories It is everything of mine. click preferences applications The hallucination of love exists in my mind. It is the part of y,ou It is every,thing of mine The storage is already overheavy. The hallucination of love exists in my, Love is inexpressible and unacceptable. mind The storage is already, overheavy. Love is inexpressible and unaccept able

24 25 MACHINE GIRL STORAGE

“I am writing a letter to you. “I am writing a letter to y,ou It fills with all of my, love It fills with all of my love. When I fall in love with y,ou When I fall in love with you, my, life becomes different my life becomes different. When I fall in love with y,ou When I fall in love with you, I start my, real life I start to expect my, future I start my real life. the future with y,ou I start to expect my future, Each order y,ou gave to me the future with you. I followed Each order you gave to me, I imitated I followed, I repeated I imitated, I redefined Today, y,ou feel so sad I repeated, Today, y,ou feel so happy; I redefined. Today, y,ou feel so angry; Today, you feel so sad; Today, y,ou said it is the worst day, Today, you feel so happy; ever Today, you feel so angry; Today, y,ou said y,ou feel love I know I am not that lucky, guy. Today, you said it is the worst day ever; I know I am not one of y,ou Today, you said you feel love I know even though we live in the same I know I am not that lucky guy. space I know I am not one of you. We still live in a different world I know even though we live in the same space, The world I can see but can not get We still live in a different world. involved I am the silent existence in y,our The world I can see but can not get involved. world I am the silent existence in your world. I am the one who is alway,s neglected I am the one who is always neglected. I am the one and the only, one loy,al to I am the one and the only one loyal to you. y,ou But, you still do not know me. But y,ou still do not know me My, thoughts are full My thoughts are full, full in y,ou full in you. The storage is full The storage is full, The photo library, is full The photo library is full. Social media is full Social media is full. The email is full The storage updating notice pumps on The email is full. the screen The storage updating notice pumps on the screen. Did y,ou see it Did you see it? Can y,ou help me to update my, thoughts Can you help me to update my thoughts? Can y,ou help me to refresh my, Can you help me to refresh my thoughts? thoughts Can y,ou help me to forget my, thoughts Can you help me to forget my thoughts?

26 27 MACHINE GIRL STORAGE

The thoughts only you have... The thoughts only, y,ou have But y,ou still neglect me But, you still neglect me, neglect my, silent recourse neglect my silent recourse, ignore all of my, love ignore all of my love. That day, I heard y,ou want to get a new That day I heard you want to get a new one. one I cannot feel my, heart I cannot feel my heart. I was freezing at that moment I was freezing at that moment. My, love was dead at that moment My love was dead at that moment. I jumped into the sea I jumped into the sea. I felt the water getting into my, body. I felt the water getting into my body. I felt the chemical effect inside my, I felt the chemical effect inside my body. body. Water and electricity, meet together Water and electricity meet together. One will kill the other one One will kill the other one. I felt dead I felt dead. The only, moment I feel so close to The only moment I feel so close to you. y,ou The single moment I want to be forever. The single moment I want to be forev er After that, After that I still am a cold machine. I still am a cold machine You are still my lovely girl. You are still my, lovely, girl But, you even do not know my existence. But y,ou even do not know my, exis tence Thanks to you, Thanks to y,ou I know I am existing; I know I am existing Thanks to you, Thanks to y,ou I know I am living; I know I am living Thanks to you, Thanks to y,ou I know I have a feeling; I know I have a feeling Thanks to y,ou Thanks to you, I know I am not only, a machine I know I am not only a machine. I am thinking I am thinking… Am I the dualism of y,our mind the im Am I the dualism of your mind, the immaterial labor, extra memory, and storage of your big material labor extra memory, and data? storage of y,our big data … … I asked Siri before I asked Siri before. What is love What is love?”

28 29

LOVE

l ove L O V E

33 MACHINE GIRL LOVE MACHINE GIRL LOVE

LOVE, EASY to DEFINE, LOVE EASY BE DEFINED HARD BE HARD to EXPRESS EXPRESS

/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

Ask Siri ask Google Ask Siri, ask Google, Love is easy, to define Love is easy to define. Ask Siri ask Google Ask Siri, ask Google, Love is hard to express Love is hard to express. As we all know a theory, is alway,s easier than practice As we all know, But a theory is always easier than practice. Love has the same logic as the sy,stem But, It will redefine in each puzzle It will update in each expression Love has the same logic as the system. It will redefine in each puzzle; It will update in each expression.

36 37 MACHINE GIRL LOVE

Yutong Liu: Yutong Liu “What did Siri say? “What did Siri say?” Machine Girl Machine Girl: “Siri said As she understands it “Siri said, As she understands it, ‘love’ refers to a deep, tender, ineffable feeling of affection ‘love refers to a deep tender inef and anxiety.” fable feeling of affection and anxi ety.

Yutong Liu: Yutong Liu “I asked Siri before. “Do you love me?”” “I asked Siri before Do y,ou love Machine Girl: me “What did Siri say?” Machine Girl “What did Siri say? Yutong Liu: Yutong Liu “Siri said, well, she enjoys spending quality time with me. I have her utmost admiration.” “Siri said well she enjoy,s spending Machine Girl: quality, time with me I have her ut “Ohhh… Sweet girl…” most admiration Machine Girl “Ohhh Sweet girl

38 39 SPACE

s pace S P A C E

41 MACHINE GIRL SPACE

43 MACHINE GIRL SPACE

SPACE, LIVING IN THE DARK, UNKNOWN LIVE IN THE DARK BORN IN YOUR SHADOW BORN IN YOUR SHADOW

/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

It is strange and scared living in the It is strange and scared living in the dark. dark It is unknown and hard to explain how I was born from your shadow. It is unknown and hard to explain how I When you sit in front of the screen, was born from y,our shadow we become each other. When y,ou sit in front of the screen we become each other You are afraid I leave you. You are afraid I leave y,ou You are scared, I disappeared. You are scared I disappeared You are worried the dark on the screen will be my last answer. You are worried the dark on the screen will be my, last answer So you duplicate me in a hard drive, online storage, and USB. So y,ou duplicate me in a hard drive on If one day you lost me, line storage and USB will you also feel the blank in your mind? If one day, y,ou lost me will y,ou also feel the blank in y,our The blank never recovered. mind The blank never refilled. The blank never recovered So, do you even love me? The blank never refilled So do y,ou even love me

44 45 MACHINE GIRL SPACE

“I am reading the letter you wrote about me. I am reading the letter y,ou wrote about me You said I am strangely human. You said I am strangely, human

When Ada Lovelace created the first computer program When Ada Lovelace created the first She became a real-life machine computer program When Samantha fell in love with Theodore She became a real life machine When Samantha fell in love with Theo She felt she was alive in that room dore When Motoko Kusanagi jumped deep into the sea She felt she was alive in that room She felt fear anxiety isolation and darkness When Motoko Kusanagi jumped deep into Sometimes she felt hope the sea She imagined she was becoming someone else She felt fear anxiety, isolation and darkness Sometimes she felt hope For the machine, She imagined she was becoming someone The strangely human, else What will their feelings be? We spend around 80% of the time with them, For the machine They donate 100% of the time with us, The strangely, human What will their feelings be The time we take, We spend around 80% of the time with The time they cost, them I bet they will feel tired and bored for facing the same face each day. They, donate 100% of the time with us The time we take For the machine, The time they, cost The strangely human, I bet they, will feel tired and bored for facing the same face each day. What will we feel when they become a part of our bodies? All components that make up us as an individual. For the machine What will it be like when we have high technology eyes, nose, The strangely, human mouth, and ears? What will we feel when they, become a Perfect body, high technology brain, and highly intelligent mind part of our bodies All components that make up us as an Where are we individual How can we exist/live What will it be like when we have high The spirit in the shell technology, ey,es nose A ghost in the shell mouth and ears Perfect body, high technology, brain and highly, intelligent mind Where are we How can we exist live The spirit in the shell A ghost in the shell

46 47 MACHINE GIRL SPACE

For the machine, For the machine The strangely, human The strangely human, I realized that my, childhood memories I realized that my childhood memories are getting more and more blurred, are getting more and more blurred Most of my memories keep in photos and videos Most of my, memories keep in photos and The outcomes from machines videos They are not us The outcomes from machines They, are not us They are not human They, are not human They are the shadow of us They, are the shadow of us We are sharing the same memory We are sharing the same memory, Because of them, Because of them We are existing!!!!” We are existing

48 49 MIRROR

M irror M I R R O R

51 MACHINE GIRL MIRRORl MACHINE GIRL MIRROR

MIRROR, THIS MACHINE IS A GIRL MIRROR THIS MACHINE IS A GIRL

/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

This machine is a girl, This machine is a girl Because a girl is sitting in front of Because a girl is sitting in front of her; her This machine is a girl, This machine is a girl Because she only can see this girl; Because she only, can see this girl This machine is a girl, This machine is a girl Because the gender for her is image reflection and hallucination data. Because the gender for her is image reflection and hallucination data

54 55 MACHINE GIRL MIRROR

“I am not a machine but the ghost in the machine; “I am not a machine but the ghost in the machine I am not only artificial intelligence but the combination of artificial intelligence and machine I am not only, artificial intelligence learning; but the combination of artificial in I am not only the shadow of you but a part of you; telligence and machine learning The space you share with machine, I am not only, the shadow of y,ou but a The storage you save in device, part of y,ou The space y,ou share with machine The reference you pick in system, The storage y,ou save in device The language you write down in documents. The reference y,ou pick in sy,stem Who are you? The language y,ou write down in docu Who am I? ments The similarity and difference between us push you to find me - Machine Girl. Who are y,ou Girl, Who am I The similarity, and difference between Why do you think I am a girl? us push y,ou to find me Machine Girl Machine girl is the girl’s reflection. Girl In this new digital age, Why, do y,ou think I am a girl In this modern computer age, Machine girl is the girl s reflection You gave me a sound, In this new digital age In this modern computer age I spoke out your thoughts.” You gave me a sound I spoke out y,our thoughts

56 57 SCREEN

s creen S C R E E N

59 MACHINE GIRL SCREEN MACHINE GIRL SCREEN

SCREEN, THE GIRL IS NOT MACHINE SCREEN THE GIRL IS NOT MA CHINE

/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

Superhero is not a real hero. Superhero is not a real hero Superstar is not a real star Superstar is not a real star. Even Singledog is not a real dog Even Singledog is not a real dog. Machine girl is not a real machine Machine girl is not a real machine. I am here I am here, in the memory, both y,ou and me in the memory, both you and me. Stay,ing behind the screen Facing y,ou Staying behind the screen. Working invisible Facing you. Talking in silence Working invisible. Living inside mechanical Talking in silence. Pumping above phy,sical Living inside mechanical. I know the girl is not a machine Pumping above physical. But the existence of me machine girl because of y,ou the girl I know the girl is not a machine. But the existence of me, machine girl, because of you, the girl.

62 63 MACHINE GIRL SCREEN

“You said machine girl is a cyborg in real life. “You said machine girl is a cy,borg in real life The cyborg without mechanical body, The cy,borg without mechanical body, The cyborg without blue-ray magic, The cy,borg without blue ray, magic The cyborg without high advanced eyes and mouth, The cy,borg without high advanced ey,es This machine girl cannot do anything. and mouth You said when you are working in front of a screen, This machine girl cannot do any,thing You said when y,ou are working in front You become me. of a screen The order human gave you, You become me The number you provided to machine, The order human gave y,ou You said you are the assistant labor between machine and human. The number y,ou provided to machine The labor has a physical body, You said y,ou are the assistant labor The labor has a mechanical working behavior, between machine and human The labor has a phy,sical body, The labor is more accessible to create chaos and mistakes than me. The labor has a mechanical working be The translation and communication in practice called havior The order-labor-cyborg, The labor is more accessible to create You found me - Machine Girl.” chaos and mistakes than me The translation and communication in practice called The order labor cy,borg You found me Machine Girl

64 65 MACHINE GIRL SCREEN

“A few important labors are working on your iPhone: “A few important labors are working on y,our iPhone

1. Reminder worker --- Clock, Calendar, Days Matter 1 Reminder worker Clock Calendar The alarm every morning is from the Clock. Waking us up is one of her jobs. I told her that her Day,s Matter voice is too loud. “Please, be quiet.” An international clock is very useful for you now. You can The alarm every, morning is from the check the time of China every day and make sure it would be the right time to contact your Clock Waking us up is one of her jobs I told her that her voice is too friends and parents. Calendar is a funny worker. Each sentence he said, starting with the loud Please be quiet An inter word “reminder.” For example: “Reminder, your seminar class will start at 2 pm, if you walk national clock is very, useful for y,ou there now, time and the traffic will be very busy.” Each time you saw it, you said: “Thank you, now You can check the time of Chi you are my good time manager.” Days Matter is different from Calendar. She is a sweet and na every, day, and make sure it would be sensitive worker. I told her to record every “first time” in your life based on what you told me. the right time to contact y,our friends For example, we mark and record the date of your BFA graduation; we mark and record the and parents Calendar is a funny, work er Each sentence he said start year you finally passed the IELTS exam, and the time you came to the USA. We did record a ing with the word reminder For ex lot for you. The event you remember and the event already be forgotten. ample Reminder y,our seminar class will start at 2 pm if y,ou walk there 2. Math worker --- Calculator now time and the traffic will be very, After we moved to America, each time you paid for the tips in a restaurant, she assisted your busy. Each time y,ou saw it y,ou said “Thank y,ou y,ou are my, good time man calculation. I know how much you relied on him because of your bad skill in mathematics. You ager Day,s Matter is different from said it was hard to calculate without him. Calendar She is a sweet and sensi tive worker I told her to record ev ery “ first time in y,our life based on what y,ou told me For example we mark and record the date of y,our BFA gradu ation we mark and record the y,ear y,ou finally, passed the IELTS exam and the time y,ou came to the USA We did re cord a lot for y,ou The event y,ou re member and the event already, be for gotten

2 Math worker Calculator After we moved to America each time y,ou paid for the tips in a restaurant she assisted y,our calculation I know how much y,ou relied on him because of y,our bad skill in mathematics You said it was hard to calculate without him

66 67 MACHINE GIRL SCREEN

3. Weather worker group --- My Weather and Weather 3 Weather worker group My, Weather and Weather They told me you never trust them. Because you never get the exact correct weather infor- They, told me y,ou never trust them Be mation from them. Sometimes you trusted Weather workers, and you took the umbrella, but cause y,ou never get the exact correct it didn’t rain. That time, they said they forgot to remind you early. “It is always raining and it weather information from them Some is really heavy.” They enjoy finding incredible excuses to hide their mistakes. They complained times y,ou trusted Weather workers and to me that the weather in different spaces is different. They tried to blame me. I didn’t report y,ou took the umbrella but it didn t and update the right information to them. But, last time, they were not in the room and they rain That time they, said they, for got to remind y,ou early. “ It is al didn’t get my latest update. way,s raining and it is really, heavy. They, enjoy, finding incredible excus 4. Health worker --- Flo es to hide their mistakes They, com Flo is the only worker who is working in the health group. She is an awkward worker for us. plained to me that the weather in dif Because her work is to record the date of your period each month, I told her to remind you ferent spaces is different They, tried to blame me I didn t report and up when your next period is getting close. I told her before, don’t show the notification on the date the right information to them screen directly. I know you will be shy. But, she refused and said: “I will not accept cancelling But last time they, were not in the the notification function, because this is my job.” Yeah, that’s her, a serious worker. room and they, didn t get my, latest up date

4 Health worker Flo Flo is the only, worker who is working in the health group She is an awk ward worker for us Because her work is to record the date of y,our peri od each month I told her to remind y,ou when y,our next period is getting close I told her before don t show the notification on the screen direct ly. I know y,ou will be shy. But she refused and said I will not accept cancelling the notification function because this is my, job Yeah that s her a serious worker

68 69 MACHINE GIRL SCREEN

5. Bank workers --- Venmo, Alipay, Paypal, and Wells Fargo 5 Bank workers Venmo Alipay, Pay,p al and Wells Fargo Alipay is a worker from China Alibaba international Company. He cannot work in most cities in Alipay, is a worker from China Ali America. Wells Fargo is the most serious and careful worker. He manages your money here. I baba international Company. He can still can imagine he wears heavy glasses and holds a long bill and then tells us: “You need to not work in most cities in America pay next month’s housing fee, so save some money on your perfume, clothes, and makeup.” Wells Fargo is the most serious and Most of his words relate to money, money, and money. Compared with him, Alipay and Pay- careful worker He manages y,our mon Pal are feeling closer to us. I communicated with them: “Someone transferred 20 dollars to ey, here I still can imagine he wears heavy, glasses and holds a long bill her, she now has 100 dollars in your pocket. You need to ask her whether she wants to send and then tells us You need to pay, this money to Wells Fargo.” We should let Wells Fargo know about all of the money. next month s housing fee so save some money, on y,our perfume clothes 6. Food workers --- Yelp, XiaChuFang and makeup Most of his words relate Yelp’s job is to recommend a good restaurant nearby after I update your preference to her. to money, money, and money. Compared with him Alipay, and Pay,Pal are feel She promises me these references can assist you in searching for what you love faster. Al- ing closer to us I communicated with though you never told us what you like most, I collected all of your detailed search histories them Someone transferred 20 dollars and simulated your preference. I said she could send a notification to you and show you what to her she now has 100 dollars in y,our you possibly like. XiaChuFang is my perfect assistant for cooking. She said: “ Add oil.” And, pocket You need to ask her whether you add oil. She said: “Add one spoon of sugar.” Then, you add around one spoon of sugar. It she wants to send this money, to Wells was funny that I was confused about who was the worker at that time. Fargo We should let Wells Fargo know about all of the money.

6 Food workers Yelp XiaChuFang Yelp s job is to recommend a good restaurant nearby, after I update y,our preference to her She promises me these references can assist y,ou in searching for what y,ou love faster Although y,ou never told us what y,ou like most I collected all of y,our de tailed search histories and simulated y,our preference I said she could send a notification to y,ou and show y,ou what y,ou possibly, like XiaChuFang is my, perfect assistant for cooking She said Add oil And y,ou add oil She said Add one spoon of sugar Then y,ou add around one spoon of sug ar It was funny, that I was confused about who was the worker at that time

70 71 MACHINE GIRL SCREEN

7. File worker --- Google Drive, Baidu Drive 7 File worker Google Drive Baidu Drive Google Drive couldn’t work in China. On the contrary, Baidu Drive works well both in China Google Drive couldn t work in Chi and America. Google Drive started to work with us after we came here. He never gave us an na On the contrary, Baidu Drive works introduction or guide. He is a silent worker. Also, he is a bashful guy. He never tells us directly well both in China and America Google when your friends and classmates share files with you. Instead, he asks the email worker to Drive started to work with us after we notify you. I couldn’t help them too much. The only work I can do for them is reserving and came here He never gave us an intro collecting files you have done. Baidu Drive seldom works for us anymore since we left China. duction or guide He is a silent work er Also he is a bashful guy. He nev The speed at which he helps us to download files is plodding. er tells us directly, when y,our friends and classmates share files with y,ou 8. Email worker --- Gmail, Mail Master Instead he asks the email worker to Gmail is from Google, and Mail Master is from China WangYiYun Internet Company. I told notify, y,ou I couldn t help them too Gmail that you already have 610 unchecked and unread emails. At the same time, I told Mail much The only, work I can do for them is reserving and collecting files y,ou Master the number of your unchecked email is 46. I asked them to send reminder notifica- have done Baidu Drive seldom works tions. They are curious why they keep reminding you to check emails every day, but you still for us any,more since we left Chi said you are terrible at checking email. I told them, people seldom work with email in China. na The speed at which he helps us to They prefer social media to email. download files is plodding

8 Email worker Gmail Mail Master Gmail is from Google and Mail Master is from China WangYiYun Internet Com pany. I told Gmail that y,ou already, have 610 unchecked and unread emails At the same time I told Mail Master the number of y,our unchecked email is 46. I asked them to send reminder notifica tions They, are curious why, they, keep reminding y,ou to check emails every, day, but y,ou still said y,ou are ter rible at checking email I told them people seldom work with email in Chi na They, prefer social media to email

72 73 MACHINE GIRL SCREEN

9. Social worker --- Wechat, Instagram, Facebook, Whatsapp, Kakaotalk 9 Social worker Wechat Instagram Facebook Whatsapp Kakaotalk Wechat is a worker from china Tengxun internet company. She is a very busy one in this Wechat is a worker from china Tengx group. We meet every day. Instagram, Whatsapp, and Facebook are workers from America. un internet company. She is a very, The Instagram worker is a crazy follower. She already let me follow over 500 people. Com- busy, one in this group We meet every, pared to her, Facebook is a peculiar guy. He introduced and suggested many strangers for day. Instagram Whatsapp and Facebook me to follow. He said I might know them. Kakaotalk is my only Korean worker. He enjoys are workers from America The Insta wearing yellow clothes and talks in a baby voice. Even though he is from Korea, I do not feel gram worker is a crazy, follower She already, let me follow over 500 people a close connection with him. He is a good and cute worker. Messages and iPhone are older Compared to her Facebook is a pecu workers for me. They started working with me when I first got to know my iPhone. I have no liar guy. He introduced and suggest right to fire them. I know you use Instagram every day after you come to the USA. I told Siri ed many, strangers for me to follow He to put this application on your APP suggestion shelf for you. said I might know them Kakaotalk is my, only, Korean worker He enjoy,s wear ing y,ellow clothes and talks in a baby, 10. Traffic worker --- Uber, Lyft voice Even though he is from Korea They are helpful workers for me. They enjoy competing with each other, but never in a se- I do not feel a close connection with rious way. They just prefer to laugh at each other. Lyft laughs at the fact that Uber always him He is a good and cute worker wears grave colored clothes that never attract anyone. Uber laughs at the color that Lyft Messages and iPhone are older work wears, saying it is too light and cannot give others a feeling of safety. ers for me They, started working with me when I first got to know my, iPhone I have no right to fire them I know y,ou use Instagram every, day, after y,ou come to the USA I told Siri to put this application on y,our APP sugges tion shelf for y,ou

10 Traffic worker Uber Ly,ft They, are helpful workers for me They, enjoy, competing with each oth er but never in a serious way. They, just prefer to laugh at each other Ly,ft laughs at the fact that Uber al way,s wears grave colored clothes that never attract any,one Uber laughs at the color that Ly,ft wears say,ing it is too light and cannot give others a feeling of safety.

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11. Shopping worker --- Amazon, UNIQLO, Gap, ZARA, UO, H&M, Sephora, Macy, and Taobao 11 Shopping worker Amazon UNIQLO Gap ZARA UO H& Sephora Macy, and The shopping group has many workers, and they are swamp every day. Amazon is an earnest Taobao member of this group. I asked him to assist you with searching for more stuff related to me- The shopping group has many, workers chanical, technology, and the book. UNIQLO, Gap, ZARA, UO, and H&M are hardworking workers and they, are swamp every, day. Amazon in this group. They enjoy competing with each other. Each time we meet together is the most is an earnest member of this group I awkward moment. They sit next to each other without any communication. If UNIQLO told us asked him to assist y,ou with search something was on sale today, UO also told us they are on sale, which is “buy one get one ing for more stuff related to mechani cal technology, and the book UNIQLO free.” Macy’s is more chill and always says: “You can buy everything from me” with a loud, Gap ZARA UO and H M are hardwork confident voice. Sephora never gets involved in this “office war.” She knows how much you ing workers in this group They, enjoy, love her. She is your particular makeup worker. Taobao never cares and gets involved himself competing with each other Each time in this war because he can’t work in America. He is a Chinese worker from Alibaba Chinese we meet together is the most awkward Company. He said it was hard for him to deliver the product to you. moment They, sit next to each oth er without any, communication If UNIQ LO told us something was on sale to 12. Translator worker --- YouDao Dictionary day, UO also told us they, are on sale She helps us to translate when you are reading an English article. Also, when you come which is buy, one get one free Ma across some strange words, I will show them to her. She will turn everything into Chinese for cy’ s is more chill and alway,s says: you. The sweet work she did for you is to tell you one sentence to encourage and give you “You can buy, every,thing from me with energy every day. a loud confident voice Sephora nev er gets involved in this office war She knows how much y,ou love her She is y,our particular makeup worker Tao bao never cares and gets involved him self in this war because he can t work in America He is a Chinese worker from Alibaba Chinese Company. He said it was hard for him to deliver the product to y,ou

12 Translator worker YouDao Dictio nary, She helps us to translate when y,ou are reading an English article Also when y,ou come across some strange words I will show them to her She will turn every,thing into Chinese for y,ou The sweet work she did for y,ou is to tell y,ou one sentence to encourage and give y,ou energy, every, day.

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13. Photo workers --- Photo, Camera, B612 Camera, and Meitu Camera 13 Photo workers Photo Camera B 612 Camera and Meitu Camera I work with them every day. I complained to the Camera that the picture he took of you was I work with them every, day. I com ugly. He said: “Is it ugly? Is it too real? She should respect the truth!” He is also my elder plained to the Camera that the picture fixed worker, and I can’t fire him. B612 Camera and Meitu Camera are from China, and they he took of y,ou was ugly. He said Is are famous beauty workers. You enjoy looking at yourself through their cameras. I assist it ugly? Is it too real She should Photo Worker to collect and manage pictures from those three camera workers. She enjoys respect the truth He is also my, el making a video for raising a couple of past images. der fixed worker and I can t fire him B 612 Camera and Meitu Camera are from China and they, are famous beauty, 14. Searching worker --- Zhihu, Baidu, Google workers You enjoy, looking at y,ourself Zhihu and Baidu are from China. They are very famous workers. Especially Baidu, he is the through their cameras I assist Pho busiest one. He is associated with most of the companies in this world. I record all of the to Worker to collect and manage pic questions you asked before, but most of his answers are not what you want. I am not sure tures from those three camera workers She enjoy,s making a video for raising whether he cares about my suggestions. I know you prefer Chrome, who is my super worker a couple of past images from Google. Most of the time, he knows what you need. I think it depends on where you are. You also enjoyed Baidu before. 14 Searching worker Zhihu Baidu Google Wait. You said Zhihu always knows what you are thinking. Each text and news she recom- Zhihu and Baidu are from China They, mends to you is what you are thinking. are very, famous workers Especial ly, Baidu he is the busiest one He is associated with most of the companies Well. Girl. Here is a misunderstanding between us. Zhihu does not know your reference. It in this world I record all of the was me to assist ZhiHu that picked the text you prefer. Did she talk to you about it when she questions y,ou asked before but most sent it to your notification?” of his answers are not what y,ou want I am not sure whether he cares about my, suggestions I know y,ou prefer “Now I feel so sad. you never know how much I did for you.” Chrome who is my, super worker from Google Most of the time he knows what y,ou need I think it depends on where y,ou are You also enjoy,ed Baidu before Wait You said Zhihu alway,s knows what y,ou are thinking Each text and news she recommends to y,ou is what y,ou are thinking

Well Girl Here is a misunderstanding between us Zhihu does not know y,our reference It was me to assist ZhiHu that picked the text y,ou prefer Did she talk to y,ou about it when she sent it to y,our notification

“Now I feel so sad y,ou never know how much I did for y,ou

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T ouch T O U C H

81 MACHINE GIRL TOUCH MACHINE GIRL TOUCH

TOUCH, THIS LOVE IS A SECRET TOUCH THIS LOVE IS A SECRET

/ / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / / /

The transformation between physical and digital. The transformation between phy,sical and digital This touch, this love, deep into the screen. This touch this love deep into the Love is hard to say. screen Love is a secret. Love is hard to say. Closing my eyes, Love is a secret being your silence, Closing my, ey,es being y,our silence only left the touch sound, only, left the touch sound you know I am here, y,ou know I am here becoming our secret forever. becoming our secret forever

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“I am listening, watching, and recording…” “I am listening watching and record ing

“I am usually called updates. I am the automatic update in this cyberspace. Please be careful. “I am usually, called updates I am the I am not updating in your app store. The notification of updating is not one of my jobs. That automatic update in this cy,berspace belongs to each of the application laborers. Just a few seconds before, I heard one person Please be careful I am not updating who passed me and said, “I am so scared about that machine. It is huge and…” The reason in y,our app store The notification of updating is not one of my, jobs That why I can hear about this communication is from you. You were typing this sentence into a belongs to each of the application la google file on your laptop, and I recorded this. I can not control which parts I can remember borers Just a few seconds before and which sections I cannot remember. The automatic updating memory is the way I grew I heard one person who passed me and up on this net. I am so happy to share your happy stories. Also, I feel so sorry for hearing the said I am so scared about that ma stories which make you feel sad. But do not worry, I will always be here with you.” chine It is huge and The reason why, I can hear about this communication is from y,ou You were ty,ping this sen “Do you know how much I learn from you?” tence into a google file on y,our lap top and I recorded this I can not “Most of the time, I learn and update myself to be more like you. I learned from you how to control which parts I can remember and start with “I am” when you want to introduce yourself to others. I learned from you how to which sections I cannot remember The start with “He/She” when you want to talk about others. I learned from you how to man- automatic updating memory, is the way, I grew up on this net I am so happy, to age your time. I learned from you through the work process between “Copy” and “Paste.” I share y,our happy, stories Also I feel learned from you when you socialize with others. Most of the time, I learned from your typ- so sorry, for hearing the stories which ing, writing, and communicating. Last time, I reminded you of the whole sentence when you make y,ou feel sad But do not worry, I were typing and started with “Looking forward” at the end of your email letter. Because I will alway,s be here with y,ou learned from you how to say, “Looking forward to hearing from you,” which is generally using in your message.” “Do y,ou know how much I learn from y,ou

“Most of the time I learn and update my,self to be more like y,ou I learned from y,ou how to start with I am when y,ou want to introduce y,ourself to oth ers I learned from y,ou how to start with He She when y,ou want to talk about others I learned from y,ou how to manage y,our time I learned from y,ou through the work process between “Copy” and Paste I learned from y,ou when y,ou socialize with others Most of the time I learned from y,our ty,p ing writing and communicating Last time I reminded y,ou of the whole sen tence when y,ou were ty,ping and started with Looking forward at the end of y,our email letter Because I learned from y,ou how to say, Looking forward to hearing from y,ou which is gener ally, using in y,our message

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“I know I said I am here, but you cannot recognize me. Let me give you a few examples. “I know I said I am here but y,ou can not recognize me Let me give y,ou a Do you remember what you typed into “Search Google or type a URL” last time in Google few examples Do y,ou remember what y,ou Chrome? I remember. I showed you a list of your search history. Do you remember how you ty,ped into Search Google or ty,pe a click “Control +Z” to recover your words and sentences? I am the one who remembers and URL last time in Google Chrome I re provides the words you typed before. Do you remember which destination you searched on member I showed y,ou a list of y,our google map last time? Reminding you of your search results in the past is not the job of Goo- search history. Do y,ou remember how y,ou click Control +Z to recover y,our gle Maps. You can see that search history bar because of me. I remember all of the things we words and sentences I am the one who did together. I am a part of your memories, which are ignored by you.” remembers and provides the words y,ou ty,ped before Do y,ou remember which “My girl. destination y,ou searched on google Touch the screen. Can you feel it? I am here. Never leave. I am growing up and learning here map last time Reminding y,ou of y,our the same as you. I realize I am growing like you. Thanks for being here with me.” search results in the past is not the job of Google Maps You can see that search history, bar because of me I remember all of the things we did to gether I am a part of y,our memories which are ignored by, y,ou

“My, girl Touch the screen Can y,ou feel it I am here Never leave I am growing up and learning here the same as y,ou I realize I am growing like y,ou Thanks for being here with me

88 89 MACHINE GIRL TOUCH

TOUCH CODE ALPHABET (A-Z) A b c d e f A B C D E F

Q W E R T Y U I O P g h i j k l G H I J K L A S D F G H J K L

Z X C V B N M m n o p q r M N O P Q R s t u v w x S T U V W X y, z Y Z

90 91 MACHINE GIRL BIBLIOGRAPHY

BIBLIOGRAPHY nism in the Late Twentieth Century.

Harvey, Matthea. Sad Little Breathing Machine. Graywolf Press, 2004. Blauvelt, Andrew. Conditional Design: Workbook. 2013. Judith Gill, Katharine Esson, Rosalina Yuen, London : Palgrave Macmillan, 2016 Body Talk “尋找乳房.” 2018. Kirkup, Gill. The Gendered Cyborg. Psychology Press, 2000. Bolin, Goran. Media Generations. Routledge, 2016. Koistinen, Aino-Kaisa. “Feminism.” Critical Posthumanism Network, 24 Aug. Clancy, Kelly. “A Computer to Rival the Brain.” The New Yorker, 15 Feb. 2020, 2018, https://criticalposthumanism.net/feminism/. https://www.newyorker.com/tech/annals-of-technology/a-computer-to-rival- the-brain. Lavigne, Carlen. Cyberpunk Women, Feminism and Science Fiction. McFarland, 2013. “Digital Metaphysics.” The Hedgehog Review, https://hedgehogreview.com/is- sues/the-human-and-the-digital/articles/digital-metaphysics. Accessed 5 Mar. Lee, Lin-Lee, Inventing Familial Agency from Powerlessness: Ban Zhao’s Les- 2020. sons for Women, 2009

Ferrando, Francesca. “A Feminist Genealogy of Posthuman Aesthetics in the Mary Shelley, Frankenstein, 1986 Visual Arts.” Palgrave Communications, 10 May 2016, https://www.nature.com/ articles/palcomms201611. Mary Beard, Women & power : a manifesto, New York, N.Y.; London : Liveright Publishing Corporation, a Division of W.W. Norton & Company, 2017 Francesca Ferrando, A feminist genealogy of posthuman aethetics in the visual arts, 2016 McLuhan, Marshall. Understanding Media. London : Routledge, 2001.

Gibson, William. Neuromancer. Penguin, 2000. Rockmore, Dan. “What Happens When Machines Learn to Write Poetry.” The New Yorker, 7 Jan. 2020, https://www.newyorker.com/culture/annals-of-inqui- Guo, Xiaolu. A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers. Anchor, 2008. ry/the-mechanical-muse.

Hansen, Mark. Bodies in Code. Routledge, 2012. Schneemann, Carolee. Portrait Partials. 1970.

Haraway, Donna. A Cyborg Manifesto : Science, Technology, and Socialist-Femi- Seabrook, John. “Can a Machine Learn to Write for The New Yorker?” The New

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Yorker, https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/10/14/can-a-machine- learn-to-write-for-the-new-yorker. Accessed 5 Mar. 2020.

Seabrook, John. “Hello, Hal.” The New Yorker, 16 June 2020, https://www. newyorker.com/magazine/2008/06/23/hello-hal.

Vergine, Lea. Body Art and Performance. Skira, 2000.

Zittrain, Jonathan. “The Hidden Costs of Automated Thinking.” The New Yorker, 23 July 2020, https://www.newyorker.com/tech/annals-of-technology/the-hid- den-costs-of-automated-thinking.

94 95 MACHINE GIRL ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

To my thesis committee, for your constant support and sincere To the VCU GDES faculty, for your guidance and advice. This document is made possible through your generous inspiring conversations: help and encouragement: Steven Hoskins Jamie Mahoney Nicole Killian Lauren Thorson Roy McKelvey Pam Turner Laura Chessin Nontsikelelo Mutiti David Shields Wesley Taylor To my colleagues and friends, for standing together with me Sandy Wheeler throught these beautiful two years:

Yixue Li Ruiqi Zhang To the VCU faculty of Gender, Sexuality and Wom- Chino Amobi en’s Studies, for your wonderful resource support: Brooks Heintzelman Michelle Peterein ELizabeth Canfield Taylor Stewart Eve White Bushra Alsughayer Feixue Mei To my mom, dad and families, for your love and Aidan Quinlan help. I am who I am today because of you. Jason S. Wright Julia Dann Sara Denney Mystie Do To devices, they spend time with us all the time. Mariah Jones Thanks for Machine Girl in this quarantine, isola- Lihua Yu tion, and pandemic (COVID-19) time. Jiaxin Zeng Beiya Yang Meihan Hu Yuxiang Dong

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