Scorpios, the renowned beach concept and creative gathering place, in collaboration with HOFA Gallery, is set to launch their summer cultural arts program, ‘Encounters’, at Scorpios’ stunning new beachfront location in Bodrum, Turkey, on 22 August 2024.

Running for four weeks, the program will feature immersive installations in Scorpios' new purpose built multicultural temple, a ritual space designed to inspire contemplation and creative experimentation. This unique environment merges ancient local knowledge with visual art, offering visitors an opportunity to engage deeply with the artists' visions.

The headlining artists, both renowned for pushing the boundaries of art and technology, are Random International (22-25 August), who will present an interactive digital sculpture, and Sougwen 愫君 Chung (5-8 September), who will perform a live showcase with their robotic system D.O.U.G. (Drawing Operations Unit Generation).

Scorpios Bodrum, which recently opened in June 2024, is the second edition of the legendary Scorpios Mykonos, with a forthcoming location in Tulum, they are all part of the Soho House Group. It has quickly become Turkey’s exclusive beach destination, offering an unparalleled blend of music, dining and wellness by the stunning Aegean Sea.

First to exhibit in Bodrum from 22-25 August is art group Random International, a German duo with studios in London and Stockholm, they will present an immersive installation that invites visitors to engage physically with a seemingly sentient, digital swarm. Titled ‘When Tomorrow Comes’, the large scale work features a custom tracking system and flocking algorithm to create an interactive digital sculpture blending technology with human perception and interaction. 3 sets of 150 limited signed edition prints of ‘When Tomorrow Comes’ will be available for purchase.

Random International is acclaimed for works such as Rain Room (2012) and Living Room (premiered at Art Basel, Miami 2022), as well as collaborations like No One Is An Island, featuring choreography between humans and machines with Wayne McGregor, courtesy of BMW Art Group. Their art is included in prestigious permanent collections, including the Victoria & Albert Museum in London and MoMA in New York.

Then between the 5-8 September 2024, multi-award winning Chinese-Canadian artist Sougwen 愫君 Chung, and a global name in human-machine collaboration, will perform a live showcase with the robotic system D.O.U.G. (Drawing Operations Unit Generation). The single scheduled performance during that weekend offers a unique opportunity to experience their groundbreaking collaborative work.

Chung's innovative approach to combining human artistry with AI technology has earned them international acclaim, including a spot on TIME Magazine's TIME100 AI list as one of the world's most influential people in AI and the TIME Impact Award 2024.

Accompanying the performance will be the debut of ‘Genesis II: Body Machine’, a collection of unique artworks. The works in ‘Body Machine’ speculate on the future of the robotic form intertwined with the human body. Each bespoke work is generated from the artist’s drawing choreography captured in three dimensions and paired with exclusive signed prints.

Scorpios Co-Founder Thomas Heyne says: “We use digital art to create holistic experiences. Interaction and immersion enhance the overall experience, taking guests on a journey where they feel inspired. We are excited to welcome Random International, and Sougwen Chung to this year’s Encounters program at our new location in Bodrum. Both will showcase how AI can teach us about living in harmony with nature.”

The Encounters programme, now in its second year, builds on the success of the inaugural edition in 2023. That year featured Turkish AI artist and director Refik Anadol in collaboration with the Yawanawa Indigenous communities of Brazil’s Amazon, attracting over half a million attendees, raising $1.5 million for the preservation campaign and generating $3 million in artwork sales.