The International Festival and Edinburgh Futures Institute have co-commissioned The New Real, a digital art exhibition which aims to build awareness of the ways data systems and artificial intelligence reflect and shape our social reality.

The exhibition comprises two arresting digital installations that reflect on humanity’s journey into a ‘new real’ and how we make sense of differing realities. Rather than using traditional methods, these artworks are created by artists using data and machine-learning algorithms as their material.

The Zizi Show, created by Jake Elwes in collaboration with a community of drag artists, is a virtual cabaret show with a twist.

Zizi is a drag act constructed by deep-fake technology who has learned by watching a diverse group of human performers. Throughout the show Elwes constructs and then deconstructs Zizi, exposing the technology used to create the character and pushing the limits of what can be imagined on a digital stage.

In this playful and vivacious artwork, audiences are invited to switch between the different deep-fake identities that Zizi has learned and enjoy sparkling versions of hit songs.

Alongside the artworks, The New Real features a series of reflections on the dilemmas and tensions of machine learning and AI. An online event featuring a discussion with Jake Elwes, Me the Drag Queen and curator Drew Hemment exploring the politics of AI and drag will take place on 18 March.

Find out more and book your free place