Megan Stancanelli's AI avatar Tyler explores human emotions on Instagram

Megan Stancanelli, aka Megan Volpe (Turin, 1994), a multimedia artist and filmmaker, has launched Metacognismo, an Instagram account featuring Tyler, an AI-animated character. The project uses artificial intelligence to give form to her drawings and explore psychological themes. Stancanelli has been using AI for two and a half years, citing limited budgets for short films and videos as a motivation. The term 'metacognismo' refers to the ability to self-observe and reflect on mental states, a concept central to her artistic research. Together with Theo Bazart, she wrote a Manifesto advocating introspection against societal homogenization. Tyler, depicted with large eyes and a smile, appears in reels with a grotesque aspect, acting as an 'entrepreneur' artist and spokesperson for human emotions. The account delves into feelings like anxiety, emptiness, and dissatisfaction through monologues set in dreamlike scenarios. Stancanelli plans a short film in three chapters exploring contemporary identity crisis and the relationship between mind and image, also addressing AI's growing role in art. Her practice, rooted in a deconstructive approach to film directing, includes video art, AI, immersive soundscapes, and site-specific installations, often using art as a therapeutic practice.