Sound and light installation, Atomium - Brussels -ID#2014
The “Out of Control” installation explores the question of Singularity: the inevitable rise of the Super Machine - longed-for or feared - which, according to some theorists, should occur around 2030, i.e. in the blink of an eye.
While the emergence of the first Artificial Intelligence remains a sci-fi theme, the nature and associated risks of such technology has long been a topic of reflection for authors. As early as 1946, Murray Leinster’s novel, “A Logic Named Joe”, imagined the excesses of a hypothetical global computer network capable of attaining a pseudo-conscience.
The stronger the machine, the more worrying its malfunctioning may be. “Out of Control” deals with this issue from the inside, not from the human but from the machine’s point of view, portraying the inner conflict of a faulty artificial system which suffers an external attack, unaware of what or why this has happened.
The nature and history of the Atomium make it the ideal location for this installation. The site embodies the Golden Age of sci-fi, when questions first arose regarding the relationship between humankind and conscious machines (Asimov and its three laws of robotics). The Atomium was built during a time period which saw the future both as a promise of advancement and as a source of concern. The era of the atom, of course, but also that of telematics, very high speed trains, and supersonic aircrafts. Opportunities were being discerned. Fifty years later, the questions remain.
By welcoming the “Out of Control” lost machine, the Atomium reminds us that technology never stops questioning humankind about its nature.
Atomium Brussels
TEAM VS:Julien guinard . Vincent obadia
Benjamin Lorthioir . Pierre Gufflet 
Ambroise Mouline . Joachim Correia . Tom Modeste. Sebastien Escudié, Valère Terrier . 
—
An original music made by Thomas Vaquié
—
Based on the original novel by Stéphane Beauverger

Henri Simons
director
—
Arnaud Bozzini
exhibitions manager
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Johan Vandenperre
technical director
—
And the entire Atomium team

Visual System - OUT OF CONTROL - Brussels

[Out of Control](http://vimeo.com/108909678) from [Visual System](http://vimeo.com/vsteam) on [Vimeo](https://vimeo.com).

As the light grows in intensity, and the electric hum becomes a thunderous roar, a sudden presence fills the vaulted corridors of the Brussels Atomium. "Act. React. Insist. Resist." In the video above, the words sputter from an unidentifiable voice box, establishing firmly the existence of a self-aware machine. And then, just as quickly as it was born, the unthinkable happens: a virus breaches its mainframe, and the machine loses control.

Back in June, [we debuted](http://thecreatorsproject.vice.com/blog/multi-sensory-installation-explores-the-inevitable-rise-of-the-super-machine) the trailer for _Out of Control_, a massive audiovisual installation created by French art and design collective, [Visual System](http://www.visualsystem.org/), for the [Atomium](http://atomium.be/id2014.aspx), the culture center made from a repurposed Worlds Fair pavillion in Brussels. A series of light cycles designed around the sounds of musician and composer [Thomas Vaquié](http://www.thomasvaquie.com/) (which were inspired by [Stéphane Beauverger](http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/St%C3%A9phane_Beauverger)'s short story, "Hors Contrôle"), _Out of Control_ "looks at the conflict between two opposing sides: the Heart and the Virus," as described by Visual System (see [The Creators Project's documentary on Visual System here](http://thecreatorsproject.vice.com/blog/meet-visual-system-and-the-mysterious-itroni-esque-blue-rider)).

If it sounds a lot like real life science fiction, that's because it is. Visual System explains:

_The Atomium was born in an era that saw the future both as a promise of progress and a source of concern. The site is an incarnation of this golden age of science fiction, examining the relationship between a man and the conscious machine. By welcoming the disoriented machine of Out of Control, the Atomium reminds us that technology continues to question humankind about its very nature._

Today, we debut the fruits of Visual System's labor: the multisensory installation in all its simulated sentience. Above, see _Out of Control_ in action. Below, check out the making of Out of Control, as well as some exclusive images of Visual System's humbling and awe-inspiring machine:

Atomium Brussels ID#2014
TEAM VS:Julien Guinard . Vincent obadia
Benjamin Lorthioir . Pierre Gufflet 
Ambroise Mouline . Joachim Correia . Tom Modeste. Sebastien Escudié, Valère Terrier . 
—
Création musical : Thomas Vaquié
—
Sur une nouvelle originale de Stéphane Beauverger
Musique Making OFF: SOHN - The Wheel

Visual System - OUT OF CONTROL (MAKING OFF) - Brussels

[OUT OF CONTROL- Making Off](http://vimeo.com/99289923) from [Visual System](http://vimeo.com/vsteam) on [Vimeo](https://vimeo.com).

_Out of Control_ made its debut at the [Brussels Atomium](http://atomium.be) in August. [Learn more about the project here](http://atomium.be/id2014.aspx).

_[Candela" Is A Rotating Disk That Creates A Streaming Afterglow Of Soothing Green Light](http://thecreatorsproject.vice.com/blog/candela-is-a-rotating-disk-that-creates-a-streaming-afterglow-of-soothing-green-light)_

_[Cathedral Installation Turns Text Messaged Thoughts Into Shooting Stars](http://thecreatorsproject.vice.com/blog/cathedral-installation-turns-text-messages-into-shooting-stars)_

_[13 Movies That Explore The Future Of Technology](http://thecreatorsproject.vice.com/blog/13-movies-that-explore-the-future-of-technology)_

_[Multi-Sensory Installation Explores The Inevitable Rise Of The Super-Machine](http://thecreatorsproject.vice.com/blog/multi-sensory-installation-explores-the-inevitable-rise-of-the-super-machine)_

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The Creators Project presents "Out of Control," the multisensory sci-fi experience from Visual System.

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An "Out Of Control" Machine Roars To Life In Brussels

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An "Out Of Control" Machine Roars To Life In Brussels

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