記憶的探索、轉化與再現：阿爾納多在〈融化記憶〉中的科技記憶與藝術策略

The Exploration, Transformation, and Representation of Memory: Techno-Memory and Artistic Strategy in Refik Anadol’s“Melting Memories”

科技已發展至運用電腦演算法呈現人類智慧，更借助醫學、機器人學及統計學的進步來提升效率。阿爾納多（Refik Anadol）為土耳其裔美國新媒體科技藝術家，其創作即以醫學「數據」為基礎，形塑新媒體科技記憶藝術為終點。於是，從關注古埃及到當代科技介入的阿茲海默症，甚至未來AI 記憶的研究，由此於2018 年與美國加州大學舊金山分校（University of California, San Francisco, UCSF）合作之創作──〈融化記憶〉。其記憶包含著醫學、數據、生命哲學等三部分，最終以藝術呈現，希冀藉由醫學與藝術跨界合作所得的臨床數據，開啟以「記憶」為主，關於哲學性、新媒體科技與藝術間關係的探索。本研究即以阿爾納多的〈融化記憶〉為探究主軸，先自記憶脈絡窺查他與記憶的關係，接著論述此作品結合醫學儀器腦波儀（Electroencephalogram, EEG）數據和演算為媒材，所呈現記憶影像的美學圖像。最後，再援引柏格森哲學思想，探討潛藏在〈融化記憶〉影像後的藝術思維，由此進而尋溯其所蘊含視覺的「綿延」、「變動」、「失聯至終止」形構的美學。他企圖藉新科技記憶謀求多元的藝術表達，在科技虛體化身體的同時，另造一個多元且異質化的創作機會，而藝術就是橋樑、中介點，也是本篇文章希望藉阿爾納多的創作宗旨，在科技衝擊人性之下，思考如何解決藝術的困境，並持續對生命永恆的探究。

In recent years, technological development has created artificial intelligence (AI) by means of computer programs and algorithms, and has also relied on medicine, neuroscience, robotics, and statistics to improve efficiency. As a U.S.-based new media artist born in Turkey, Refik Anadol has made ample use of medical “data” to establish the relationship between new media art and memories in the hope of finding purpose in his artistic practice. His work covers an array of topics, from ancient Egypt and modern technology as an intervention to address memory loss in Alzheimer’s disease, to the latest studies on the future of AI. Working with the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) in 2018, Refik Anadol held an exhibition called “Melting Memories” consisting of three parts, namely, medicine, data, and life philosophy, all of which were represented via the medium of art. The aim of the exhibition was to initiate an exploration into the relationships between philosophies, new media technology, and art from the perspective of “memory” through clinical data collected through a collaborative effort of medicine and art. The present study uses Anadol’s “Melting Memories” as a starting point to examine the artist’s relationship with memories over the course of time, as measured by an Electroencephalogram. Artistic representations (in the form of techno-memory) were then completed using media data and algorithms. Lastly, Bergson's philosophy offers a unique view into Anadol’s artistic thinking in the above-mentioned exhibition, and makes it possible for us to appreciate the aesthetics of his art in the process, which can be described by three characteristics: “continuity,” “change,” and “disconnection and termination.” He has attempted to celebrate diversity in art via techno-memory. Since virtual physicality is made possible by today’s digital technology, the artist intends to present artworks that are diversified and heterogeneous to remind the audience that art serves as a medium between humans and the world. The ultimate propose of this study is to reflect Anadol’s artistic aims and find ways for artists to solve the predicament of being under threat from emerging technologies (e.g., algorithms) and to continue exploring life in much the same way as our ancestors.