{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O1754764"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1754764/"}},"images":null,"see_also":null},"record":{"systemNumber":"O1754764","accessionNumber":"PH.268-2023","objectType":"File","titles":[{"title":"The Zizi Show","type":"assigned by artist"}],"summaryDescription":"The Zizi Show is a deepfake drag cabaret that explores the ethical problems which exist  in Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI refers to the ability of a computer system to interpret and  learn from given data. Although viewed by some as flawlessly neutral, AI applications often show discriminatory behaviour because the datasets they rely on reflect the bias  of their human programmers.\nJake Elwes observed that computer systems ‘have difficulty recognising trans, queer and  other marginalised identities’, which can cause them to visibly break down. They wanted to highlight how this issue in AI contributes to maintaining society’s heteronormative bias. For The Zizi Show,  Elwes looked to drag – the ultimate expression of gender non-conformity and constructed identity – to  expose and subvert this bias. They consider their work to be both a reclamation of technology that can  otherwise be oppressive and exploitative, and a celebration of performance, difference, community  and creativity.\r\nAll the fabulous performers in The Zizi Show have been generated using deepfake technology, a type of AI process that can create new footage of someone using another person’s likeness. Elwes collaborated with a community of drag artists to make photographic datasets of their bodies. New videos were then synthesised using machine learning systems designed to mimic the performers’ lip-syncing movements. Elwes deliberately included diverse bodies, genders and sexualities in the datasets, tackling the lack of representation in the algorithms typically used to develop new technologies. The performers consented to having datasets of themselves made and re-animated – a crucial element of the collaboration intended to empower queer communities.","physicalDescription":"ProRes 422 digital file","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Jake Elwes","id":"AUTH389923"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"","id":""}],"techniques":[{"text":"","id":""}],"materialsAndTechniques":"","categories":[{"text":"LGBTQ","id":"THES266921"},{"text":"Artificial Intelligence","id":"THES392486"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"DOP","id":"THES291628"},"images":[],"imageResolution":"low","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"DAMS","id":"THES280561"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"digital file","id":"THES274385"}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"United Kingdom","id":"x29336"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"2021-2023","earliest":"2021-01-01","latest":"2023-12-31"},"association":{"text":"","id":""},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"V&A commission supported by the Manitou Fund.","dimensions":[],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"'The Zizi Show' by Jake Elwes, the result of a V&A commission (2021). Video showing full-length drag artists performing to seven songs, 30-minute loop. The Zizi Show is a deepfake drag cabaret that explores the ethical problems which exist in Artificial Intelligence (AI).","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"'The Zizi Show' by Jake Elwes, commissioned by the V&A (2021) with the support of the Manitou Fund. Video showing three full-length drag artists performing to seven songs, 30-minute loop. The Zizi Show  is a deepfake drag cabaret that explores the ethical  problems which exist in Artificial Intelligence (AI).\r","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[{"text":"","id":""}],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["PH.268-2023"],"accessionNumberNum":"268","accessionNumberPrefix":"PH","accessionYear":2023,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2025-09-26","recordCreationDate":"2023-05-12","availableToBook":false}}