Public Face

This eight-meter-high smiley face illuminated with fluorescent tubes is a quirky and fun skyline sculpture. It has the ability to move its eyes and mouth in order to be able to change expressions and can be seen from both far away and up-close due to its large size. The emotions displayed in the artwork are based on a software and algorithm developed by the Fraunhofer Institute. They vary between happy, sad, angry and all states between, created by taking samples of facial recognition and expressions that pedestrians close by have on their faces. They are captured by the system through surveillance cameras, the findings reflected in the installation. Viewers are invited to take note of how the majority of the people in certain areas are feeling, opening up a dialogue on social and personal well-being.

© Julius von Bismarck in collaboration with Benjamin Maus, and Richard Wilhelmer.

Presented by RCRC and Riyadh Art