A project called “Inner Portrait,” created in collaboration with Turkish Airlines (THY) and media artist Refik Anadol, began its exhibition at Art Basel in Basel, Switzerland, on June 12. The project explores the impact of travel on human biology.
The opening ceremony on June 12 was attended by THY Communications Director Rafet Fatih Özgür, THY Independent Board Member Fatmanur Altun, and Refik Anadol’s wife, Efsun Anadol.
The “Inner Portrait” project takes four individuals who have never traveled abroad on a journey into their inner world.
Brazilian Tuikuru, an Amazonian native, explores the streets of Tokyo, while Esther from Kenya discovers Istanbul’s rich history. Sahar from Australia journeys through the ancient wonders of Göbeklitepe and Cappadocia, and Icelander Sigurbjörn experiences the stunning beauty of Jordan.
Anadol and his team use the latest AI tools and neuroscientific sensors to capture emotional data from these first-time travelers and transform it into AI Data Images. This process turns brain data into a pigment for a compelling visual narrative, illustrating the transformative power of travel.
The project begins by collecting biological and neurobiological data from passengers, including heart rate, skin conductivity, and EEG outputs, recorded using advanced monitoring devices like Neuroelectrics. These recordings, taken throughout the journey, capture the participants’ immediate reactions to new environments and experiences. By examining the relationship between experiences and neuronal activity, the project demonstrates Anadol’s innovative approach to using authentic human experiences as the foundation for new aesthetic expressions.
