The Zizi Show: A Deepfake Drag Cabaret, Museum Version

2020/23, multi-channel video, 29 minute loop

Adapted from The Zizi Show - Interactive Version 2020

Visit The Zizi Show - About Page

On the V&A Website

The Zizi Show is a deepfake drag cabaret, a virtual stage hosting a groundbreaking show with a twist. It features performances that have been constructed using deepfake technology, learning how to do drag by watching a diverse group of real, human performers. The Zizi Show unpacks one of the dominant myths about AI, the notion that 'AI' is an entity mistaken as human.

The Zizi Show explores the meeting of Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) and drag performance. Drag challenges gender and explores otherness, while A.I. is often mystified as a concept and tool complicit in reproducing social bias. Here, these themes coalesce through a deepfake, synthesised drag identity created using machine learning. Deepfake A.I. involves the use of A.I. algorithms, to create or manipulate digital content to convincingly portray false events or scenarios.

The bodies in the show have been generated by neural networks trained on a real community of drag artists who were filmed to create datasets. A.I. only understands binary gender, and, at times the images of the performers break down when the A.I. tries to combine multiple different queer identities. The deepfakes were created collaboratively in celebration, resisting the exploitative and oppressive nature of A.I. The Zizi Show constructs and then deconstructs a virtual cabaret that pushes the limits of what can be imagined on a digital stage.

V&A Wall Text:

The Zizi Show is a deepfake drag cabaret that explores the ethical problems which exist in Artificial Intelligence (AI). Al refers to the ability of a computer system to interpret and learn from given data. Although viewed by some as flawlessly neutral, Al applications often show discriminatory behaviour because the datasets they rely on reflect the bias of their human programmers. The artist Jake 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 Al 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.

All the fabulous performers in The Zizi Show have been generated using deepfake technology, a type of Al process that can create new footage of someone using another person's likeness. Jake 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.

• Jake Elwes Artist (Editor, Coder and Producer)
• Me - Director of Drag
• Toby Elwes - Director of Photography
• The Apple Tree and Royal Vauxhall Tavern - Dataset filming locations

Drag Queens, Kings and Things:
Baby Lame | Bolly-Illusion | Bourgeoisie | Cara Melle | Charlie Wood | Chiyo | Dahc Dermur VIII | Dakota Schiffer | HERR | Lilly SnatchDragon | Lavinia Co-op | Luke Slyka | Mahatma Khandi | Mark Anthony | Me The Drag Queen | Miss Terri Boxx | Oedipussi Rex | Ruby Wednesday | Sister Sister | TeTe Bang | Wet Mess

Music and performance credits:
This Is My Life, Shirley Bassey: Movement by Me
Raise Your Glass, Pink: Movement by Lilly Snatchdragon
I Am What I Am, La Cage Aux Folles: Movement by Me
Sweet Dreams (Live), Beyoncé: Movement by Cara Melle
Freedom! '90, George Michael: Movement by Mark Anthony
You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real), Sylvester: Movement by Chiyo
Five Years, David Bowie: Movement by Ruby Wednesday
Transition movement by Wet Mess