Flower 2014.

Although Viktor Jan's Flower may seem like an interloper among the many data sculptures and media representations appearing in this exhibition, it provides a contrast from the other works by focusing on how data can spur the creation and loss of natural entities. Inspired by the poem "Flower," by one of South Korea's leading poets of the late 20th century (Kim Ch'un-Su), the flower "blooms" or comes to life in a dark environment, when visitors whisper into its microphone, or when it senses data streams on local networks. Unlike a natural flower, Jan's flower awakens in the evening and will never come to life unless someone calls its name. Flower reacts to the idea of "the gaze" in digital space, where people online are always vying for more views, likes, and mentions.