自有史以來，人類與病毒的抗爭就沒有停止過。每一次的瘟疫都會為社會文化、經濟和政治帶來深遠的影響和變革。我們能否在想像的世界中創造一種病毒，從不同的角度來思考病毒對人類社會的影響？MiA Collective Art推出合作展覽「SMART-59」，將觀眾帶到2059年來討論新型假想病毒SMART-59的爆發。

Throughout history, humans have never stopped fighting against viruses. Every plague will bring far-reaching influence and change to society, culture, economy, and politics. Can we create a virus in the imaginary world and think about the impact of the virus on human society from a different perspective? MiA Collective Art has launched a collaborative exhibition “SMART-59”, bringing the audience to discuss the outbreak of a new hypothetical virus SMART-59 in 2059.

Why it matters:

由於 COVID-19 仍在全球肆虐，將其作為藝術主題並進行探索或許會對受影響人群有失尊重。因此，MiA Collective Art 邀請了十位藝術家，想像出一種虛構的病毒SMART-59，希望藉此與大家討論病毒與瘟疫會對人類社會帶來什麼影響。這個項目帶領我們穿梭去2025年，想像一場前所未有大瘟疫。SMART-59 提出了一種新的思考方式來看待病毒和流行病在人類歷史上的意義，以及隨之而來的道德和社會政治問題。每位藝術家都會結合他們的真實生活和經歷，在這個虛構的背景下創作出「寫實」的藝術作品。

Since COVID-19 is still raging around the globe, it may be disrespectful to the affected people to use it as an art subject and explore it. Therefore, MiA Collective Art invited ten artists to imagine a fictitious virus SMART-59, hoping to discuss what the virus and plague mean to human society. This project takes us to 2025 and imagines an unprecedented pandemic. SMART-59 proposes a new way of thinking about the significance of viruses and epidemics in human history, as well as the moral and socio-political issues that follow. Each artist will combine their real life and experience to create “realistic” works of art in this fictional background.

5 Highlights:

• 參與是次展覽的藝術家分別有：DING DING, JOHNNIE GRINDER, WILLOW.HANNYA, HAOREN DAI, YANFU LU, GRACE NOH & YICHEN ZHOU, CHARLIE RUBIN, SEJON
• The exhibition features DING DING, JOHNNIE GRINDER, WILLOW.HANNYA, HAOREN DAI, YANFU LU, GRACE NOH & YICHEN ZHOU, CHARLIE RUBIN, SEJON.

• 2059 年 1 月 30 日，世界健康聯盟協會 (WHAA) 宣布了該病毒的正式名稱，該病毒導致人們的智力水平超速發展。
• On January 30, 2059 the World Health Alliance Association (WHAA) announced an official name for the virus that is causing a hyper-acceleration in people’s intelligence level. 

• 這種新發現的病毒的名稱是 Scientia Maiestas Acquiro Redundo Terror 2059，縮寫為 SMART-59。官方於 2059 年 1 月 3 日首次承認其出現。
• The name of this newly discovered virus is Scientia Maiestas Acquiro Redundo Terror 2059, abbreviated as SMART-59. The officials first recognized its appearance on January 3, 2059.

• SMART-59是人類歷史上第一種由人工智能引起的大腦病毒，導致智力大幅提升。該病毒從受感染的電子設備傳播到人類，然後人傳人。
• SMART-59 is the first virus in human history that is caused by artificial intelligence that causes brain infection, leading to a significant increase in intelligence. The virus spreads from infected digital devices to humans and from one person to another.

• 自發現以來，全球科學家都在研究這種新病毒以阻止其傳播。這種病毒的後果還有待進一步觀察，尚不清楚它是否會對人類和我們的社會產生任何積極影響。
• Since its discovery, scientists across the globe are studying this new virus to stop the spread. The consequences of this virus are yet to be further observed and it is unknown whether it could lead to any positive effects on people and our society.

Background: SMART-59

• 2018 年，某科學新聞網站發表了一篇題為「一種古老的病毒可能與人類意識有關」的文章，其中包括兩篇發表在 2018 年 1 月期科學期刊《細胞》上的論文。 
• In 2018, an article titled “An ancient virus may be responsible for human consciousness” was published on a science news website, which covered two papers published in the scientific journal, Cell, in the January 2018 issue.

• 該文章聲稱人類意識的源於是一種稱為 Arc 的病毒基因。研究人員認為，該病毒可能是高階思維的關鍵要素。
• The article claims that the very root of human consciousness is a result of a viral gene known as Arc. Researchers believe that the virus may be a key element of higher-order thinking.

• 雖然這是一個有爭議的觀點，但它印證了一個不可否認的事實，即病毒不但是人類歷史的一部分，也是人類的一面鏡子。
• While this is a debatable and controversial point of view by a small number of scientists, it reminds an undeniable discussion that the history of viruses is part of human history and a mirror for humanity.

Source: MiA Collective Art

Final Tips:

大家可以瀏覽 WORLD HEALTH ALLIANCE ASSOCIATION (WHAA) 官網對SMART-59的病毒式宣傳！

You can browse the viral promotion of SMART-59 on the official website of WORLD HEALTH ALLIANCE ASSOCIATION (WHAA)!

SMART-59

Date:

A day in the year of 2059

Time:

24/7

Venue:

Here

Courtesy to MiA Collective Art and the Artists