Deus ex Machina

Tanja Vujinovic: Deus ex Machina

A series of digital images, audio-visual artworks (Multi-channel video installation) and a virtual reality world, 2024-ongoing.

3D graphics, world building, digital sculptures, generated AI, sound: Tanja Vujinovic
Additional 3D objects from booth.pm, Unity store, DAZ3D store

Consulting
Mika Pi, Software Engineer
RonBreIan, Software and Audio Engineer
Friends from VRChat

A series of digital images, audiovisual artworks (multi-channel video installation), and a virtual reality world, Deus ex Machina builds on the "seeds" of the AvantGarden series, transforming them into hyper-detailed digital sculptures and immersive audiovisual ecosystems. Inspired by the ancient theatrical device where a "god" or machine descends to resolve impossible dilemmas, the series reimagines this concept for the age of emergent AI, where machines act as both potential saviors and disruptors. It explores the speculative future of artificial intelligence as an "ultra-intelligence" unfolding before us—a force so profound that it mirrors ancient myths of divine intervention, reshaping narratives of existence while inviting awe and unease.

The visual language of the series draws on baroque and rococo maximalism, combining richly detailed, floating semi-abstract compositions with the symmetrical elegance of ancient sculptural traditions. Sculptures from ancient civilizations—such as Egyptian statues that were deeply embedded in temples and served as silent protectors play a significant role in the inspiration behind these works. These forms are reimagined in digital space, merging the monumental weight with the ephemeral, fluid qualities of virtual worlds.

The virtual reality component introduces another layer of meaning, incorporating Tori gates—traditional symbols of transition in Shinto philosophy that mark entrances into sacred spaces. This choice reflects an underlying theme of animism, where all things, both organic and synthetic, are treated as sentient, interconnected, and worthy of reverence. Within these virtual realms, the gates act as portals that guide visitors into spaces of reflection, offering a meditative pause before entering worlds populated by hovering hybridized beings.

The series also engages with the aesthetics of internet subcultures, Y2K nostalgia, and meme culture, fusing them with classical mythology to create surreal, otherworldly environments. The result is a kaleidoscopic journey through imagined landscapes where organic forms meet technological structures in a delicate, often playful balance. These immersive environments are soundtracked with experimental audio and ambient techno, heightening the experience of exploration, contemplation, and sensory immersion.

Through its layered visuals, philosophical undertones, and interactivity, Deus ex Machina reflects humanity’s evolving relationship with technology while drawing on the enduring power of myth. It invites audiences to step into a hybrid universe where history, futurism, and imagination converge, creating a space that is as contemplative as it is exhilarating.

Deus ex Machina, Virtual reality art installation, 2024. 

Deus ex Machina, digital images and audio-visual artworks video stills, 2024. 

Deus ex Machina

Tanja Vujinovic: Deus ex Machina

A series of digital images, audio-visual artworks (Multi-channel video installation) and a virtual reality world, 2024-ongoing.

3D graphics, world building, digital sculptures, generated AI, sound: Tanja Vujinovic
Additional 3D objects from booth.pm, Unity store, DAZ3D store

Consulting
Mika Pi, Software Engineer
RonBreIan, Software and Audio Engineer
Friends from VRChat

A series of digital images, audiovisual artworks (multi-channel video installation), and a virtual reality world, Deus ex Machina builds on the "seeds" of the AvantGarden series, transforming them into hyper-detailed digital sculptures and immersive audiovisual ecosystems. Inspired by the ancient theatrical device where a "god" or machine descends to resolve impossible dilemmas, the series reimagines this concept for the age of emergent AI, where machines act as both potential saviors and disruptors. It explores the speculative future of artificial intelligence as an "ultra-intelligence" unfolding before us—a force so profound that it mirrors ancient myths of divine intervention, reshaping narratives of existence while inviting awe and unease.

The visual language of the series draws on baroque and rococo maximalism, combining richly detailed, floating semi-abstract compositions with the symmetrical elegance of ancient sculptural traditions. Sculptures from ancient civilizations—such as Egyptian statues that were deeply embedded in temples and served as silent protectors play a significant role in the inspiration behind these works. These forms are reimagined in digital space, merging the monumental weight with the ephemeral, fluid qualities of virtual worlds.

The virtual reality component introduces another layer of meaning, incorporating Tori gates—traditional symbols of transition in Shinto philosophy that mark entrances into sacred spaces. This choice reflects an underlying theme of animism, where all things, both organic and synthetic, are treated as sentient, interconnected, and worthy of reverence. Within these virtual realms, the gates act as portals that guide visitors into spaces of reflection, offering a meditative pause before entering worlds populated by hovering hybridized beings.

The series also engages with the aesthetics of internet subcultures, Y2K nostalgia, and meme culture, fusing them with classical mythology to create surreal, otherworldly environments. The result is a kaleidoscopic journey through imagined landscapes where organic forms meet technological structures in a delicate, often playful balance. These immersive environments are soundtracked with experimental audio and ambient techno, heightening the experience of exploration, contemplation, and sensory immersion.

Through its layered visuals, philosophical undertones, and interactivity, Deus ex Machina reflects humanity’s evolving relationship with technology while drawing on the enduring power of myth. It invites audiences to step into a hybrid universe where history, futurism, and imagination converge, creating a space that is as contemplative as it is exhilarating.

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