The Dog Days is an unusual machinima that combines the glitchiness of AI generated content composited with a Second Life avatar. Whilst not realtime, the performative aspect of this work is evident and we reflect on the fit of the current state of generative AI with the Fluxus art movement. We discuss what The Dog Days means, metaphorically and literally, and how we interpret this film concluding it is not a happy outcome for the focal character. The Dog Days evokes memories of a long-ago childhood spent with a much loved pet but the non-sense words and images are of something far more sinister, contextualized by the current general media coverage of wars in Eastern Europe, Middle East and elsewhere. We also discuss our interpretations of the fragility represented in the avatar, including the role of generative AI in becoming cyborg.

0:20 Introduction to the film, created by Fau Ferdinand

6:00 Performance art context

7:23 Dog days… in other media

11:00 The significance of AI glitch in this film and generally in artwork

27:26 More about Fau Ferdinand and the Second Front movement

30:00 Fluxus and the role of chance

32:30 Interpreting the dreamscape

36:40 How we are becoming cyborg

39:30 The images plus me!

42:56 Performance art and female empowerment

Credits -
Speakers: Ricky Grove, Phil Rice, Tracy Harwood, Damien Valentine
Producer/Editor: Phil Rice
Music: Animo Domini Beats