Event 1: Embodied Intelligence & the Future of the Performing Body by Heidi Boisvert

For my first event of the quarter, I decided to attend Heidi Boisvert’s “Embodied Intelligence & the Future of the Performing Body.”


Figure 1. Proof of attendance.

In her talk, Dr. Boisvert discussed the open source biometric/limbic lab and AI system that she built over the past two years. The presentation itself revolves around her research on social change and the biological effects of media. In particular, her Narrative engine – a mobile application that obtains information ranging from survey data to biometrics – is used to provide tools to social justice organizations and independent media makers.

Figure 2. Heidi Boisvert, TED talk about her work, 2020.

The Narrative engine comprises of multiple elements including empirical research and machine learning algorithms to automate media production processes, that effectively allow the aforementioned groups to better understand how their content affects individuals on a neurobiological level. As a result, they will be able to “increase engagement and deepen their audience’s limbic response with more resonant content” (Boisvert). 


Figure 3. Heidi Boisvert, The Narrative Engine.

She elaborated, explaining that her engine’s ability to track one’s heart rate, swear response and muscle contractions can be used to expand the notion of performance today. That is, she states how such tools that are commonly used in science can also be applied to artistic expression. In effect, her work exemplifies Linda Henderson’s notion that the juxtaposition of science and art is to complete our desire of inventing new aesthetic and conceptual capabilities.

Nevertheless, my favorite part of the presentation was Lizardly. In this performance, she uses mixed reality to engineer experiences that go beyond human imagination including but not limited to environmental collapse and interspatiality.


Figure(s) 4. Kat Mustatea, Lizardly, 2022.

As a video game enthusiast, the graphics and interactions are revolutionary; I’ve played multiple VR games in my spare time and this one, despite not being a game by description, was the best I’ve seen.

In retrospect, Dr. Boisvert reminds me of Dr. Johanna Kieniewicz, an advocate for interdisciplinary approach and a curator for the Beautiful Science Exhibition in London. Much like Boisvert, Dr. Kieniewicz believes that working with artists helps scientists to reframe their thinking (Eldred). In a way, both of their work supports Vesna’s idea of a third culture and “active dialogue with scientists and humanists,” as evident by the sheer progress achieved by the joint efforts of both the arts and sciences (Vesna 122).

Overall, I believe Boisvert’s work is truly an inspiration and we can learn a lot from her unique insight in both science and art.

Works Cited

Boisvert, Heidi. "Embodied Intelligence & the Future of the Performing Body." BioArt Talks @CBIS, 1 Apr. 2022, https://www.mediasanctuary.org/event/embodied-intelligence-the-future-of-the-performing-body/

Boisvert, Heidi. "How I'm using biological data to tell better stories - and spark social change | Heidi Boisvert" Youtube, uploaded by TED, 2 Jan. 2020, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sek29hwUjZE

Eldred, Sheila Mulrooney. “Art–Science Collaborations: Change of Perspective.” Nature, vol. 537, no. 7618, 2016, pp. 125–126., https://doi.org/10.1038/nj7618-125a.

Henderson, Linda Dalrymple. “The Fourth Dimension and Non-Euclidean Geometry in Modern Art: Conclusion.” Leonardo, vol. 17, no. 3, 1984, pp. 205–210., https://doi.org/10.2307/1575193.

Mustatea, Kat. "Lizardly (2021) - Trailer" Youtube, 10 Feb. 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_APmyzBtmPE

Vesna, Victoria. “Toward a Third Culture: Being in Between.” Leonardo, vol. 34, no. 2, 2001, pp. 121–125., https://doi.org/10.1162/002409401750184672.

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