People of the Gold

“People of the Gold” is an innovative project that delves into the identity and history of early Chinese immigrants during the California Gold Rush. Using a machine learning algorithm trained with historical documents, it generates a series of archive-style moving images. In a dimly lit room, viewers can interact with an interface to explore these images, which feature constantly changing portraits of individuals alongside accompanying “identity information.”

The project’s deliberate, slow transitions between millions of faces and identity data highlight a broader theme: how technology has contributed to dehumanizing these individuals, rendering them replaceable and interchangeable. It serves as a reflection on the potential for technology to diminish individuality, the violence it can perpetuate, and its capacity to undermine diversity and otherness.

“People of the Gold” seeks to evoke emotions about the historical experiences of these Gold Rush immigrants while pushing the boundaries of machine learning in photography and anthropology studies. It also prompts viewers to contemplate the complex relationship between algorithms and identity.