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video: ©Kayla Jeanson

The Farm, or How to Feed an Intelligent Future

INSTALLATION & PERFORMANCES

with
GENEVIÈVE ROCHETTE
ANNIE ROY
and their guests

A humorous documentary-play about the impact of artificial intelligence on our lives.
Actress Geneviève Rochette and creator Annie Roy form a dynamic duo who, reacting to expert interviews and news videos, inspire us with their love of life.

THE PROJECT | PHOTO GALLERY | THE OUTCOME 2025 | HEARD ABOUT THE FARM | CREDITS

THE PROJECT

Genevieve Rochette

Annie Roy

This new project is, in a way, a learning logbook for artist Annie Roy. She delivers it to us with the humility of someone who is unfamiliar with Artificial Intelligence but wants to understand the world imposed on her, for better or for worse. This work takes the form of an audiovisual installation in a public space. It mixes different mediums to put humans back at the center of these reflections, at the center of this world that is increasingly invaded by technology every day. From the intimate to the philosophical, a cube/scene will refer viewers to their own connection with this technology. This interactive work of art invites us to engage in a critical approach together. With excerpts from interviews with specialists and communicators such as Matthieu Dugal, Dave Anctil, Michal Seta, etc., Annie offers to be our guide on this dreamlike journey to the confines of the artificial. This work in perpetual creation will be nourished by exchanges with the public and technological advances, all in order to imagine the future together.

UN TEMPS: A video installation available 24/7

The Farm was born from a vital question: Why is such technology imposing itself on our lives at a time when we should be reducing our ecological footprint? Is the impact on our cultural and territorial sovereignty worth the effort? The acceleration of these transformations, their geopolitical and environmental consequences, raise concerns, even though we have little control over their evolution. What if we were programming our own obsolescence? La Ferme pushes us to take a stand towards reality, to rediscover our wonder at the life that beats within each of us, all with an unashamedly Quebecois bias.

Designed and directed by Annie Roy in collaboration with Raymond Marius Boucher, the installation features a 12'x12' square LED screen and a stage of equal size, suggesting a metaphor for the black box of AI and the data farms that feed its algorithms. Combining video projections, stage performances, and interactive discussions, The Farm is an invitation to place humans back at the center of thinking about technology.

Annie Roy guides us through a critical exploration of AI and its implications.

"I'm part of the generation with a rotary phone and a rabbit antenna television. The speed of evolution, which scientists themselves struggle to control, in the context of a capitalist marketing system constantly striving for profit maximization, is alarming. We need to understand in our own flesh what all this entails. The Farm is a theatrical installation in a public space, designed to experience our emotions, create a sense of community and encourage discussion between real humans who are feeling overwhelmed by machines."

- Annie Roy, co-founder of ATSA and director

This event will offer the public the opportunity to participate in the creation process and enrich collective reflection, in order to imagine together a future where technology truly serves humanity.

An engaging and participatory program written without artificial intelligence.

PHOTO GALLERY

Photography: © Izabel Zimmer

THE OUTCOME 2025

The Farm or How to feed an intelligent future was able to take place from May 23 to 25, 2025, in the Quartier des Spectacles, on the Esplanade Tranquille, and especially in Le Réfectoire due to the rain, which forced emergency performances indoors.

Since we were on a rain schedule in a venue that held 80 people, we were able to accommodate a few additional people standing up and present the play to 340 people for three performances, followed by discussions with mediators from ATSA and Multitudes.

We stayed up to 90 additional minutes discussing in the venue each evening after the shows. This inspires us to continue these magical moments of performance-discussions throughout Quebec and around the world (except in the United States...!)

We performed a spontaneous extra performance so we could film outside on Sunday at noon in our real set on the Esplanade Tranquille.

67 people attended the workshop-lectures by Daria Marchenko, Valentine Goddard, and Anne Nguyen, which were streamed live for those unable to attend in person.

Around thirty people were able to see the film "In the belly of AI" by Henri Poulain, which we highly recommend.

Thank you to the 37 volunteers who volunteered 96 hours of their time to support these three days of reflection on the impacts of AI on our lives.

The indoor space for consulting books selected by the BAnQ generated particular interest and provided another forum for discussion.

The video installation "UN TEMPS" was very popular, and ideas for showing it in a gallery-museum or park setting are already being developed.

Thank you for your support through the purchase of MOX mocktails and tree saplings, which will bring a touch of life to your yards and balconies.

Thank you all for making these three days a lively opportunity to discuss this machine, neither intelligent nor artificial, and its excesses face to face!

The reflection continues because the play will adapt over time, and we hope to perform in parks, schools, cultural centers, festivals, and theaters that want us!

Press review available

Thank you to all our partners, a dream team, and relevant collaborators!

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HEARD ABOUT THE FARM

"We're talking about artificial intelligence with experts, of whom I had the great honor to be a part. We're talking about a comprehensive presentation, understanding the implications for human rights, culture, disinformation, democracy, and the role of citizens. I invite you to see [the play]. It's thought-provoking and also gives hope at the same time." - Valentine Goddard, Founding Executive Director of AIIA

"I had a fascinating day at La Ferme. Bravo to the actress, Geneviève Rochette, quite a speech! Thanks to Annie, who delved into the subject and helped us learn more about this mysterious Artificial Intelligence. And what about the degeneration and hallucinations of AI? as explained by Anne Nguyen" - Élaine Frigon, visual artist

"It's disturbing. [This show] awakens us to certain concepts." - Domlebo, vocal artist

"I recommend you go see the show; it opens up different horizons and allows you to understand the impact of AI on our lives today." - Jean-Christophe, volunteer at La Ferme

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