WHEN THE SIREN SINGS | self published book
"When the Siren Sings" delves into the obscured world of shipping and logistics, where the labor of seafarers is often concealed and their humanity overshadowed by automation. As AI continues to play a significant role in eliminating human involvement in logistics, this project aims to use this nefarious technology to humanize and amplify the voices of seafarers.
The seafaring profession is the second most dangerous on the planet, with 1 in 5 seafarers suffering from depression and 1 in 7 experiencing suicidal ideation. In response to these alarming statistics, "When the Siren Sings" seeks to shed light on the challenges faced by those working in this critical yet underrepresented industry.
Central to the project is a 12-week collaboration with Yegor Rusakov, a seafarer from Mykolaiv, Ukraine. Through our correspondence on Telegram, we establish a collaborative practice that redistributes the power of representation and shares the agency of image-making. Instead of creating images about Egor, we make images with him, allowing him to have the final say in which visuals truly represent his experiences.
Egor shares his memories of life at sea, and I mediate these recollections using re-enactment photography and artificial intelligence. By involving Egor in the verification and revision of the images, we foster a dynamic, iterative process that honors his lived experiences.
Throughout the collaboration, Egor decides to leave his seafaring career, and Russia invades his country. In the wake of these events, "When the Siren Sings" evolves into a deeply personal exploration of resilience, identity, and the human spirit.
Drawing on a diverse range of materials—including Telegram correspondences, AI, re-enactment photography, Egor's personal archives, journal entries, and science fiction co-written by Egor and GPT-3—"When the Siren Sings" weaves a rich narrative that humanizes the seafarer and challenges our understanding of shipping and logistics.
