The Zizi Show – A Deepfake Drag Cabaret

AI Tool(s) Used:

• Deepfake Technology
• Machine Learning for Motion Capture
• AI Lip-Sync Algorithms

Description of Result:

The Zizi Show is an innovative blend of art, performance, and AI, featuring deepfake drag performers lip-syncing to iconic tracks by David Bowie, Beyoncé, and Shirley Bassey. The performers, crafted from datasets of real drag artists, are projected onto the screen, creating a stunning digital drag cabaret. Over the 10-month exhibit, the show captured the attention of the public with its immersive, AI-powered experience and was recently acquired for the V&A Museum’s permanent collection.

Step-by-Step Breakdown:

1. Dataset Creation: Real drag performers collaborated by contributing visual and movement data to train the AI. A deepfake model was created by feeding the AI with datasets containing high-resolution images, movements, and unique mannerisms of each performer.
2. AI Training: Using machine learning, the AI was trained to recreate each drag performer’s facial expressions, lip-sync to specific songs, and replicate body movements.
3. Lip-Sync Algorithms: AI-powered lip-sync technology was used to align each performer’s deepfake face with the music, ensuring that every note and lyric matched the drag artist’s projected persona.
4. Projection Setup: The final deepfake videos were displayed in an immersive exhibition space, where 10 performers were projected simultaneously, creating a seamless digital drag cabaret experience.

Tips & Tricks:

• High-Quality Dataset: The quality of deepfakes heavily relies on the dataset. Using high-resolution images and detailed movement tracking ensures realistic results.
• Precision Lip-Syncing: To create a believable deepfake, it’s essential to use fine-tuned lip-sync algorithms. Adjust the alignment between audio and visual data carefully to avoid any awkward discrepancies.
• Collaborative Input: Working closely with real performers and capturing their unique mannerisms and expressions adds authenticity to the final result, making the deepfake experience more relatable and lifelike.

Annotation:

The Zizi Show represents a fascinating intersection of AI and performance art, where technology amplifies the creativity of the drag world. Through deepfake technology, the show extends the boundaries of what drag performance can be, allowing performers to transcend physical limitations and time. The digital recreation of London’s drag artists pushes the conversation forward about identity and technology—while performers may not physically be present, their likeness and energy live on through AI.

However, this raises interesting questions about authenticity in digital spaces. Is the experience of seeing a performer through a deepfake as meaningful as a live performance? The AI allows for endless creative possibilities, but also forces us to consider the impact of such digital experiences on live art and human presence. The blend of AI and performance art opens doors for new forms of expression, while challenging our traditional notions of identity and performance.

Instagram Post – The Zizi Show