Mónica Rikić

BIO

The general interest of her artistic practice lies in the development of alternative technologies through creative coding and electronics. Her work merges technology and philosophy through art, creating technological artifacts that deliberately eschew functionality or productivity. Instead, these pieces serve as critical devices aimed at triggering collective thinking and discussion. Formally, her practice is grounded in the creation of handmade electronic objects and robots that embody various conceptual aspects of her research, presenting themselves as theatrical devices. Through these works, she aims to offer experiences that encourage alternative perspectives on technology, robotics, and open hardware.

Her projects have been featured in numerous art festivals and institutions around the world, including Ars Electronica (AT), Manifesta Biennial, ISEA, Creative Tech Week (NY), Robotronica (AUS), Loop Festival (SP), Laboral (SP), FILE (BR), CCCB (SP), Arts Santa Mònica (SP), and La Capella (SP), among others.

She has received several prestigious awards, such as the Catalan Culture Award in 2021, and recognitions from the Japan Media Arts Festival, AMAZE Berlin, the Margaret Guthman Musical Instrument Competition in Atlanta, as well as a Leonardo Grant from the BBVA Foundation. Her artistic residencies include participation in the S+T+ARTS program, Technoculture, Arts and Games in Montreal, the European Media Artists in Residence Exchange (EMARE-EMAP) at QUT (Australia), Hexagram (Montreal), Medialab Prado (Madrid), Platohedro (Medellín), and Etopía (Zaragoza), as part of the European ARTificial Intelligence Lab program.

Her works are part of the National Contemporary Art Collection of Catalonia, .NewArt {collection;} and Colección DKV.

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Installation: Psychoflage (Responsive Dreams 2025)

Psychoflage is a large-format interactive multisensory installation that transforms the space into a world of dreams and psychedelic fantasy. It consists of twenty inflatable sculptures equipped with handcrafted electronic interactive systems that control their fans and lights.

The work proposes an alternative way of connecting with cognitive (or intelligent) technologies. Instead of presenting an imaginary dominated by metaphors of productivity, speed, and competition—typically associated with such technologies, the piece invites us to engage with them in a calm and relaxed manner, offering an experience close to spirituality. The sculptures' slow, breathing-like movements reference meditation and relaxation practices.

In line with the artistic practice of Mónica Rikić, the project was created with the intention of proposing, through art and critical thinking, alternative approaches to the future of technologies. Unlike other projects that explore the intersection of AI and art—often focused on the creative capabilities of machines—this piece centers on questioning, investigating, and experimenting with the characteristics that artificial cognitive systems must possess to be considered sentient and existing organisms.

Based on their basic physiognomy, code, and emerging autonomous development, the devices simulate, through physical-digital behaviors, processes that invite viewers to perceive them as sentient organisms. The algorithmic and mechanical structure of the artistic object is presented to the public as a dramaturgical device that expresses its own way of existing. The piece allows the public to walk underneath or even lie down calmly to observe it from below, enhancing immersion and the breathing sensation that the experience aims to convey.

↓ Click on the image below to play the video ↓

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/ TGAM's NOTES

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Mónica weaves handcrafted electronics and non-digital objects to reimagine technology as a canvas for critical thinking.