ALIEN - a macro photo of a Cladonia Stellaris lichen and raindrop Photograph - Limited Edition of 3

Inna Etuvgi: Cybernetic Animism The Concept: My work exists at the intersection of technical precision and indigenous intuition—a practice I define as Cybernetic Animism. Born in a remote Arctic village in Chukotka and trained as a Master of Technical Cybernetics, I explore the shared soul of the natural macro-world and digital algorithms. For me, a lichen and an artificial neural network are both sentient systems, whispering the same secrets of existence. The Method: AI as a Visual Prosthesis Living with Aphantasia—the inability to visualize imagery in the mind's eye—I have turned technology into an extension of my consciousness. Photography and Generative AI are not just tools; they are my visual prosthetics. Where my mind sees silence, the camera and the code allow me to externalize deep emotional landscapes. The Vision: Whether capturing the intricate structures of mosses (the lungs of our planet) or creating psychological digital portraits, I seek a new anthropology of the self. My Swedish-Chukchi roots guide me to see the "living" in the non-human, while my cybernetic background allows me to navigate the complexities of our technological future. Recognition: A finalist for the Arte Laguna Prize (Venice Arsenal) and a recipient of the Swedish Arts Grants Committee grant, my work is a bridge between the ancient wisdom of the North and the digital frontier of tomorrow.