'Say it with clouds' is a participatory online artwork project in several parts.

« This first part invites its participants to label a dataset of images of clouds generated by artificial intelligence with the emotions evoked by those clouds. The aim of this collaborative work is to establish an emotional secret language from cloud images, in the manner of ‘floriography’.

Contemplating the clouds often makes our imagination work. During these contemplations, we are sometimes the object of pareidolia by distinguishing in their abstract shapes objects which are meaningful to us. According to studies made by psychologists, this cognitive phenomenon is very subjective and more sensitive individuals can be more predisposed to it. But what about emotions? Do the emotions we associate with clouds depend on our mental state? Are there universally shared emotions we feel at the sight of some clouds?

This is the question that this work attempts to answer by inviting its participants to label a dataset of 'artificial clouds'. This way of doing things reverses how artificial intelligence is usually used. In general, we label 'input data' which are data that will be used to train artificial intelligence. However, here the participants will label 'output data', which result from the work of artificial intelligence. It also brings to the surface a process that is often hidden from its own contributors: for example, we help to label, despite ourselves, certain content available on streaming platforms.

By gathering the sum of subjective perceptions on these clouds, will we be able to establish the grammar of a new universal coded language on the model of 'floriography'? Also known as the language of flowers, 'floriography' was very popular in the Victorian era (1837-1901), to the point of becoming a kind of secret language in a society where prohibitions restricted certain subjects of conversation. At a time of social distancing and in a troubled period, these clouds could be a new language to represent our emotions.

The result of this first part of the project will then allow the creation of a new artwork. If you would like to be kept informed, please fill out your email below. » Marion Carré