Body Electric 2017

Olivia Erlanger’s “Body Electric” conjures fictional tales inspired by science-fiction, economic flows, and integrated design. Bringing together digital and sculptural elements, the artwork is triggered by viewers moving between spaces and devices. Three motion-sensitive benches—the oldest industrial element placed in public contexts—act as an audio device, inviting audiences to sit and listen to fictional testimonies about an ecological event. A thick mist of fog and blue light creates an immersive atmosphere of limited visibility, constantly changing in response to oil price variations. This was commissioned by BMW and Frieze as part of their inaugural Open Work prize in 2017.