Hootaphor

Interactive audio installation

Two taxidermized owls with electronic device, 165 x 87 x 37 cm?

In 1972, the Swedish scientist Johan Benghtsson built a machine that was able to generate conversations, based on topics and the level of familiarity of the two virtual conversation partners. It was used by telephone companies, by museums for custom visitor guiding and for research. The seen machine was found in a tenement’s cellar in Vienna and has been formerly built for the Department of Sociology of the University of Vienna. The machine was refurbished, and new topics have been put in by the Friends of the Natural History Cabinet Association for the exhibition.