This exhibition runs from 06/11/2026 - 06/12/2026
13H-18H Thursday-Sunday
"Nasal Demons" consists of 10 projects that explore the similarities
between humans and machines in a world where expectations between the
two continue to blur. As technology increasingly shapes the way we work,
communicate and define ourselves, the exhibition presents our
transformed understandings of identity, purpose and human behavior.
What would it be like to be a machine?
In a society driven by optimization, efficiency and endless
(self-)improvement, media artist and initiator of this exhibition
Quintus Glerum wonders whether it might feel easier to be a machine.
While human lives are contradictory and often irrational, contemporary
society increasingly demands qualities associated with machines:
productivity, consistency, and constant availability. Adding to this,
technological developments throughout history have made us feel
replaceable.
Unlike humans, machines, whether self-learning or not, are created with
a predefined function. Built from ones and zeros they are brought into
existence by humans to perform precise tasks. As a result, they do not
experience human struggles such as a lack of meaning, crisis of faith,
or identity, while our lives remain contradictory, emotional and
erratic.
But what if a computer programme behaves erratically?
When a programme becomes unpredictable due to missing code, programmers
refer to it as ''Undefined Behaviour" or, a more humorous synonym,
"nasal demons". As a result of the code not specifying what should
happen, it could even make demons fly out of your nose, so to speak. The
absurdity of this term underscores our expectation that code should be
efficient and predictable, qualities against which we unconsciously
measure ourselves.
This exhibition is part of Museumnacht Amsterdam and Amsterdam Art Week.
