ALFRED is an installation that explores the role of innovation today. It uses a polymer thermoplastic developed by a group of scientists in CEA Grenoble. The material in question offers a more durable alternative to plastic that, ideally, would never have to be thrown away. Collectif TOAST studied this new matter by exploring all its different modes of deformation and how to interact with it. The collective’s work was based on using scientific protocols to create sculptures, textures and shapes from the material.This back and forth between aesthetic and scientific research resulted in the will to deeply question the matter’s role within our innovation driven societies. ALFRED offers the public to see some of the sculptures made by the collective alongside a camera linked to an AI. The algorithm looks at the sculptures and makes associations with objects it recognizes. The result of such associations are displayed on a screen for the public to see and compare with its own imagination.
