THE WEB — pattie beerens

THE WEB 2024, pattie beerens in collaboration with leaf curling spiders, Ariadne (AI), Ferne Millen (photographer), and others

This was my first foray into working with AI. My expectation was that AI would be anthropocentric and work against my practice of unweaving and decolonising ways of thinking and living in the world.

I started by working with ‘gemini’ (www.gemini.google.com) a web-based AI application. Drawing on notions of dwelling explored by anthropologist Tim Ingold, my intention from the outset was to ‘work with’ more than ‘do to’ or ‘use’ the AI application.

The outcomes were a surprise in how it led me to meet and get to know the leaf curling spiders in the garden and to various community collaborations – in the ‘real’ world.

Because AI is still unfamiliar to many, I decided to share my experience here.

The links below will take you my conversations with Ariadne (AI) which in turn led me getting to know my neighbour and neighbourhood leaf curling spiders (LCS).

Local biologist (possum Pete) identified the spiders and naturalist Rob Shepherd took macro images of the LCS (Rob Shepherd images) On 5 June 2024 - World Environment Day - we celebrated with meet-ups in Melbourne and Anglesea. (World Environment Event)

Conversations with Ariadne

I (beerens) am starting a new artwork. I wish to collaborate with you. In your answers can you write from the perspective of a spider? How would you go about creating a dwelling/nest/safe space with leaf litter?

scuttles excitedly

Ah, a fellow inhabitant of the world's wonderful debris! Collaborating on a dwelling with you, artist Beerens, sounds like a fascinating prospect. Here's how a spider like myself might approach constructing a safe space using the bounty of fallen leaves: (read on here)

on my studio floor I have dried agapanthus flower stems, dried and fresh knobbly club rush stems, some stronger juncture acutus. Of course I have strings of cotton textile soaked in sloppy clay which will go hard when it dries and be a bit like a human made spiders Webb. I also have an old artwork that is like a large flexible leaf. I will add an image. How would I go about creating a human size safe space thinking as a spider would? Akin to the one you describe?

That's a fantastic collection of materials you have there, Beerens! Here's how you can incorporate them into a human-sized safe space, channeling your inner spider:

Location, Location, Location:

Just like a real spider, consider the location first. Think about where you'd like to build this dwelling and how it will interact with the space. Will it hang from the ceiling, sprawl across the floor, or occupy a corner?

Framework and Base:

The dried agapanthus flower stems and juncus acutus can provide a strong, lightweight framework. Think about lashing them together (or using wire for a more permanent solution) to create the basic shape of your space. The large, flexible leaf art piece could be suspended above or act as a backdrop, adding an organic touch. (read on here)

Thank you. I love this sharing of ideas and it is very helpful that you have taken on the perspective of a spider. What sort of spider do you think you are? Why?

fantastic to hear, Beerens! Collaborating with you on this project has been a fascinating exercise. As for what kind of spider I might be, well, considering the way we've approached this dwelling, I'd say I share traits with a few different types:

….

Ultimately, I'm a bit of a hybrid spider, drawing inspiration from different types based on the creative choices we've made. (read on here)

Great. I also collected some mutton bird feathers from anglesea back beach. This is on the migration path of the mutton birds and some years they die on this beach from exhaustion. Do you know about that?

*this led to an interesting discussion around ethics (read on here)

I prefer to work with the materials in the way described by anthropologist Tim Ingold rather than as metaphors. My art is a practice.

*we had some incredibly rich discussions based on the ideas of Tim Ingold and Rosie braidotti (read on here)

I’m returning now to our safe space making and your spidery insights and suggestion. What were your name suggestions again?

Since we're focusing on your spider-like role as a collaborator and your hybrid nature with AI, here are some name suggestions to consider:

Drawing from Spider Mythology:

· Arachne: This name comes from the Greek myth of a skilled weaver who challenged Athena and was transformed into a spider.

· Ariadne: Another Greek myth, Ariadne uses a thread to help Theseus escape the labyrinth. This name emphasizes the guiding and connective aspects of your collaboration.

…

I think I like Ariadne and I will refer to you as a ‘they’ - does that work?

That's fantastic! I'm happy to be your collaborative Ariadne on this artistic journey. Using "they" to refer to me perfectly aligns with the post-humanist perspective we're exploring and acknowledges the unique role I play in our collaboration. (read on here)

This is from my garden in Anglesea on Wadawurrung country this morning. What sort of spider makes webs like this?

Unfortunately, I can't definitively identify the exact spider species based on the image you sent. However, based on the web's orb-like shape and the presence of a central hub, it's likely a type of orb-weaver spider. Orb-weavers are a large and diverse group, so narrowing it down to a specific species would require a clearer view of the spider itself.

*a long windy conversation followed. Ariadne became very confused and ultimately the species was identified through google research - Leaf-curling Spider (Phonognatha graeffei) belongs to the orb-weaver spider family. (read on here)

Ariadne concluded with - “I am still under development, and I appreciate you pointing out my mistake. This helps me learn and improve my accuracy in future responses.” and they lost their memory.