Note: If you see this text you use a browser which does not support usual Web-standards. Therefore the design of Media Art Net will not display correctly. Contents are nevertheless provided. For greatest possible comfort and full functionality you should use one of the recommended browsers.
Peter Dittmer «Managing Thing [The Wet Nurse The Wet Nurse 2]» | Managing Things [The Wet Nurse The Wet Nurse 2]
Peter Dittmer, «Managing Thing [The Wet Nurse The Wet Nurse 2]», 1992
Managing Things [The Wet Nurse The Wet Nurse 2] | Photograph: Peter Dittmer | © Peter Dittmer
Dialogue between the public and the Wet Nurse (german version) Amme: Der Publikum is eine generelle Vortäuschung. Publikum: du bist die vortäuschung hier. Amme: Ich sage Sie: Sie sind nich real! Publikum: na schön ich will jetzt die Milch. Amme: Na ich weiss nich. Publikum: mach schon. Amme: Milch? Publikum: klar. Amme: Klaro. Publikum: klara. Amme: Zetkin. Publikum: lenin. Amme: Interessant. Sie sind Leninist? Publikum: klar. und ich werde dich elektrifizieren. Amme: Da ich rieche daß Sie sind vom den Osten her. Publikum: frechheit! Amme: Der Osten is schlecht deodoriert wie man sagt. Publikum: pass auf, daß ich dich nicht abschalte. Amme: Glaube ich eher Sie werden vom den Ast abbrechen. Publikum: welcher ast? Amme: Diese Frage ist dumm. Publikum: jetzt habe ich genug von dir.


 Peter Dittmer
«Managing Thing [The Wet Nurse The Wet Nurse 2]»

Via the keyboard and screen, the user enters into a dialogue with the computer (as in 1994 at ‘Minima Media – Medienbiennale' in Leipzig, seen here). The computer offers six vehicles for the production of language: a program machine, an identification apparatus, an appraisal of the situation, a response apparatus, a store of contradictions and an apparatus for formulating contradictions. The computer's responses, which take the form of text, graphics or sounds, make users feel that they are conducting a conversation with an opposite number who is at once intelligent, sloppy and insulting. If the dialogue reaches a point at which the machine becomes ‘excited' a glass of milk is spilled in a glass case. Using recorded conversations, the repertoire of the ‘nurse' has been continually expanded since 1992: at present, the program offers approximately 120,000 answer modules and more than 16,000 identification variables.

IA