On the 1st August 2018, Lawrence Lek presents the launch of Farsight Corporation: a new project which imagines the future of ‘smart cities’. Set in a future London, where intelligent urban systems monitor and interact with their clients, the project speculates on issues surrounding the interaction of architecture and artificial intelligence. The science-fiction scenario revolves around a Chinese technology company - Farsight - which uses London as a prototype for its range of AI and automation products: drones, smart transportation, AI security bots.

To celebrate the launch of this 2-year project, to be realised for our 2019 programme, Bold Tendencies will host a screening of several of Lek’s most prominent works to date, as well as a promotional trailer for the Farsight Corporation itself:

Farsight Corporate Promo (2037) - 5m05s

Sinofuturism (1839-2046 AD) - 9m40s (extract)

Geomancer - 48m 15s

A conversation with the ICA - 7m 00s

The event is free and open to all but requires advance booking.

Farsight Corporation is a pioneer in fully-automated and luxury urban living. Investing in the future of ‘smart cities’, Farsight uses a combination of artificial intelligence and architecture to create intelligent urban systems which monitor and interact with its daily users.

Catering for a new brand of global city, Farsight Corporation tailors its urban architecture to the speed and dynamism of its clients, producing unique services that help clients fully integrate with the surrounding codespace of the city.

In line with our slogan, “Farsight – AI for Everyone™”, Farsight Corporation seeks to utilise the advances of AI in order to revolutionise three key industries: Finance, Property, and Entertainment. Working with an extensive portfolio of automated services - from VR downtime to smart transportation, private drone security to bespoke neuromarketing - Farsight Corporation creates a unique system of urban engagement tailored to the contemporary global flaneur.

Farsight Corporation will launch on 1st August 2018, developing a wide portfolio of ‘smart buildings’ that react to the demands of the future. Harnessing the power of Big Data and AI, Farsight will synchronise individuals with their digital-urban interface.

Lawrence Lek (b. 1982, Frankfurt, Germany) creates speculative worlds and site-specific simulations using gaming software, video, installation and performance. Often based on real places and fictional scenarios, his digital environments reflect the impact of the virtual on our perception of reality. Recent exhibitions include: 2065, K11, Hong Kong (2018); Play Station, Art Night, London (2017); HyperPavilion, Venice Biennale (2017), Glasgow International, Tramway, Glasgow (2016); SeMA Biennale Mediacity Seoul, Seoul Museum of Art, Seoul (2016). Lek is shortlisted for the 2018 Film London Jarman Award; he received the Jerwood / Film & Video Umbrella Award in 2017, and the Dazed Emerging Artist Award in 2015. Lek’s and Kode9’s work, Nøtel, is currently on view at arebyte Gallery (London) through September 1, 2018, and atStroom Den Haag (The Hague, NL) 1 September – 4 November, 2018.

About Bold Tendencies
The rooftop spaces at Peckham Multi-Storey Car Park are home to not-for-profit organisation Bold Tendencies which is unique in terms of the rich mix of what it does, and where and how it does it. For more than a decade Bold Tendencies has transformed its car park home with a programme of contemporary art, orchestral music (hosting the BBC Proms with The Multi-Story Orchestra in 2016 and 2017), opera and architectural projects including Frank’s Cafe and the Straw Auditorium designed by Practice Architecture, Simon Whybray’s pink staircase and Cooke Fawcett’s Peckham Observatory. Bold Tendencies animates its programme and the site for schools, families and the neighbourhood through standalone education and community initiatives that take culture and civic values seriously. With immersive public spaces and spectacular views across London, the project has attracted more than 1.5 million visitors so far and celebrates the free enjoyment of public space in the city. In the autumn of 2017 Southwark Council ended years of uncertainty, confirming Bold Tendencies’ future in the Car Park building with the offer of a new long-term lease.