At the beginning of the 19th century, the passenger pigeon was one of the most common bird species in the world, boasting roughly 3–5 billion specimens. Alas, human kind managed to drive the species to extinction in just a few decades. R.I.P. – Redemption commemorates and celebrates the existence of the extinct bird. The work is a short explorative computergame game in which the user gets to talk to the extinct animal. In this virtual sanctuary, the bird lives on and philosophises about mortality, humankind and inter-species-grief. R.I.P.
Anan Fries (they/them) is an interdisciplinary artist and researcher based in Berlin and Basel who works at the intersection of digital and performing arts. They use immersive technologies to create phygital experiences that offer thought provoking perspectives. They create performances, installations, and video works influenced by Posthuman and Xenofeminist discourse. Their practice explores themes of transformation, reproduction, and the entanglements between «nature» and technology.
Their work has been presented at IDFA DocLab (Amsterdam), DOK Leipzig, GIFF (Geneva), Konsthall C (Stockholm), HEK (Basel), and Somerset House, among other venues. In 2023, Fries was awarded third prize in the VR Art Prize. Their phygital funeral for an extinct bird, «R.I.P. – Resurrect in Peace», was shown at Berlin Art Week and Next Level Festival. In 2025, Anan held residencies with Pro Helvetia East Asia and transmediale. They are currently developing a new performance that tackles technofascism.
Artist:
Anan Fries
Year:
2024
Type:
Game
Website:
ananfries.net
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Performance «R.I.P. – Resurrect In Peace»
