Durational performance that has been derived from an ongoing body of work investigating global interconnection utopia, spiritual magic and contemporary algorithmic slavery. Constructed from timber and nails and measuring 340 x 200 x 50 cm, the giant sculptural ‘f’ conceived as a commentary on social media, was carried collectively in streets of Lisbon. The performative procession was originally conceived as part of ‘EDEN’, Vilas-Boas’ solo show at Zaratan Arte Contemporânea in Lisbon during July 2019. The piece aims to stimulate discussion on issues surrounding digital platforms such as privacy, data extractivism, surveillance capitalism, digital labor and algorithm biases. Carrying the cross draws on the emotiveness of hope and oppression within the parameters of digitalisation where technology meets religion.
The project was also part of ‘Higher Resolution’ at Tate Modern curated by Hyphen Labs, London in September 2019: a collective show and workshop questioning our relationships with digital platforms

BY  Filipe Vilas-Boas (PT)


Filipe Vilas-Boas (Portugal, 1981) is a self-taught media artist currently living and working in Paris. Without being a naive tech utopist or a reluctant technophobe, he explores with irony our use of technology and its ethical and aesthetical implications. His installations, performances and conceptual artworks question the global digitalization of our societies, mostly by merging our physical (IRL) and digital (URL) worlds. His works were highlighted in the Portuguese Emerging Art books, 2018 and 2019 editions and have been shown internationally notably at Nuit Blanche Paris, the UNESCO, Biennale Siana, Le Cube, The French Ministry of Culture, Biennale Némo - Le 104 (FR), Athens Digital Art Festival, Monitor - Heraklion Contemporary Arts Festival (GR), Zaratan, MAAT Museum (PT) and at Tate Exchange - Tate Modern (UK).