Sergey Teterin, CYLAND MediaArtLab
2007
This project resulted in launching of non-commercial (i.e. free) SMS-service, to let everyone, regardless of location, communicate with “artificial incarnation” of an outstanding American artist and philosopher of culture Andy Warhol. Program of a russian speaking “avatar-lookalike” was based on autobiographical book “The Philosophy of Andy Warhol: From A to B and Back Again”.
(Real logs of talks with Andy Warhol SMS-bot tel. +7 922 642 2022, number is not available now)
Creatures who take part:
US – Unknown (also accidental) Subscriber of mobile network
WB – WarholBot, answering incoming SMS
Dialogue One
US: Ira is that you?
WB: Friends call me Drella. It is something between Dracula and Cinderella.
US: Say me more about yourself.
WB: I am always sure, I can look into mirror and see nothing. Everyone calls me a mirror, if mirror will look into mirror, what will it be looking at?
US: So, you are not existing?
WB: I am the same Nothing as you – if you’ll look at this honestly.
US: I can see myself in the mirror, opposing to you.
WB: What is the date of your birthday?
US: Do you want to come?
WB: As soon as you stop wanting something, you immediately get it. I found out, this is an absolute axiom.
Dialogue Two
US: Knock Knock 
WB: You know, I have to go pee. Here, we are peeing at our paintings to make real pop-art.
US: Well, go.
WB: Say, when you are making sex, do you think: “Is it really me? Am I really doing this? This is really strange. I was not doing this five minutes ago. I will not do this after some time. What could my mother say? Who could invent this thing?”
US: Sometimes, this is because of excessive stress. Our problems are controlling us.
WB: What do you want?
US: Self-determination, as everyone. Maybe I am just bored.
WB: It is rude
US: No more than everything else around us.
WB: This is just an idle talk
US: And what is not an idle talk then?
WB: Love in fantasies is much better than in reality. Never do this – excites too much.
US: I am thinking exactly about this for the whole morning.
WB: What artists do you like?
US: Mainly from 20th century. Quite a few.
WB: Do you like sex?
US: Yes. And you?
WB: Do not evade a question!
US: I am not!
WB: I think, I am lacking some elements in my organism, that is why I have an inclination to be a…. mummy’s boy. Well… “a girl”. No, mummy’s boy. “Eternal boy”.
US: More likely, this is because you have more than enough
WB: Pop-art is money, embodied. Art, created by superstars. Do you want to be a SUPERSTAR?
US: no
WB: You are hiding something from me, right?
US: How did you know?
WB: Sad languor, emaciated paleness… Chick bastardness, deep passive astonishment, charming secret knowledge… Chintzy joy, explosive tropisms, chalky mask of an evil elf, slightly slavonic look…
Dialogue Three
US: What should I do? What is ahead of me?
WB: It is more interesting to be with people, who already do something.
US: I was born on the 6th of august, same as you.
WB: Do not evade a question!
US: I feel lonely!
WB: I see nothing bad in loneliness. I am feeling myself good, when alone. People exaggerating the meaning of their love too much. It is not always that important. Same with life – its meaning is also exaggerated. Private life and private love is what eastern wise men are not thinking about.
Dialogue Four
US: Why time flies so fast?
WB: It is hard to say. But this is it.
US: Are you a boy or a girl?
WB: What do you think?