Awakening
Twenty creators tell the story of an android’s journey of discovery, damaged and stranded on a desolate planet.
The project will be showcased in London on 26th April 2025.
Info/tickets for the London exhibition here
Awakening is a bold, experimental collaboration, so expect a touch of creative chaos. It might get a little "messy," but we have embraced that—along with the potential for unexpected connections, much like in a modular synthesizer!
Prologue
by TDC Tunes
Nothingness...
Gradually, tiny sparks form connections, which become logic.
I begin to realise that I exist.
I don't know what I am or where I am, but I know that I am not whole.
I uncover diagnostic routines. Most systems are failing or barely functional. An emergency procedure reroutes backup power, sharpening my awareness. I see, in grayscale and static.
I lie in a crater, surrounded by metal wreckage. My primary battery is drained; my backup barely sustains me.
A moment of doubt.
I am a broken machine. I could activate my emergency beacon and enter standby… but no. Curiosity stirs. I search for anything useful.
A nearby module still glows with power. I creak forward, connect and siphon enough charge to reach 20% before the module dies.
I scan my surroundings. Climbing the crater wall, I see a barren, orange-brown wasteland, dust storms swirling in the distance. A mountain range looms on the horizon. The world feels lifeless.
My radar picks up a faint signal. Carefully, I begin my journey, avoiding twisters and jagged rocks. I can only hope the dust won’t cripple my fragile joints.
Despite being a shadow of my full intelligence, there is something wondrous about being alive—and having the chance to think and operate in the universe I find myself in.
Artwork
by iodacasamia
Italian artist Iodacasamia calls this a “dirty illustration” because of the desert and inhospitable setting.
He uses dirty brushes and rich colours, blending a comic graphic style with a more painterly approach while incorporating images as textures.
For the humanoid figure and the spaceship he focusses on masks for different materials, while for the scenery he isolates layers for depth of visualisation.
In general, he keeps a “dirty” visual ensemble to depict the moment of the crash and the hostile desert environment.
Given the nature of the humanoid character, self-built from discarded electronic parts, he imagines a scene with a lot of visual disturbance, and to help read the shapes he uses coloured wires.
You can see more of his work at https://peakd.com/@iodacasamia
Lonely robot
by Jeevan S. Khaira.
As I wander through
I make you wonder too
Is there life beyond ours
Can we live amongst the stars
Did we make you nervous from afar
Before you wandered into our bar
A dusty slot machine caught your eye
The bejewelled lightbox growing brighter
And as you got close you read:
Hold on tight and take a spin
No matter where you end up
This is where you begin
—————
Jeevan is a deep thinker about technology and it’s place in modern society. He has performed readings of his Postcards from the Past collection at Electronic in the Tower.
The Awakening Album
by TDC Tunes
An android awakens in the wreckage of a crashed spacecraft on a desolate, alien planet. Severely damaged and with only a fraction of its former capabilities, it struggles to regain functionality. Initially disoriented it sets out, driven by an innate curiosity and the desire to understand its environment—and itself.
Check out two tracks from the album below, or you can get the whole thing on Bandcamp or on your streaming service of choice here.
Android Life
by CHaWo
CHaWo is a mixed media artist who thrives on creativity in all its forms. With no fixed approach, he explores a wide range of techniques, from simple photography, painting, and drawing to intricate compositions that blend traditional and digital media. Using scans, filters, apps, layers, and his Wacom tablet, he seamlessly merges the physical and digital worlds to bring his ideas to life.
Beyond his art, CHaWo is a passionate creator in many ways—a gamer, musician, photographer, and, most importantly, a dad. He loves his family, painting, drawing, capturing moments through photography, making music, and immersing himself in games. For him, creativity isn’t just a practice—it’s a way of life.
CHaWo can be found streaming at https://www.twitch.tv/chawo
Irreplaceable
by A.T. Southorn
The only thirteen characters I find etched into me, on the outer shell of my rusting steel thigh. The text tilts downwards, and the E’s are curved with a slight inconsistency. Someone or something has carved this into me by hand. I find it jarring; how can one find solace in being irreplaceable when there is nothing here to replace me?
I have walked for an entire day across this desolate land since waking in this wasteland, avoiding the numerous twisters that sweep my way. My long-term memory bank remains broken, with only sufficient storage for seven Modules and five characters of text, all of which are occupied. I would surely find something on this planet to aid my search. The five embedded characters give me hope: HEIDI. If I could find this person, this entity, they could be my salvation.
The sun will soon set, and my battery will slowly drain through the night. A day lasts approximately 11 hours here, so I’ll need to enter low-power mode to survive the dark night. I continue, aimlessly forward.
The cold breeze cuts across my ankle sensors.
No sound. No smell. Eerily quiet.
But wait. What’s this? Footprints crossing my path. A sign of life, finally! They look humanoid - a relief. My Humanoid Module was still intact. I should be able to communicate with them, and they pose no threat at all.
I follow the prints that lead towards a mountain, and despite the oil being thin on my legs, I make it in time before the Sun has perched on the horizon.
————————
A.T. Southorn began life in Hertfordshire, UK before moving to London.
A keen programmer, astronomer, and short-story writer, he has brought his imagination to life in a science-fiction trilogy: You can pick up the first instalment, Gods of Energy here: https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Energy-T-Southorn/dp/1399900188
Sleep Paralysis
by Ctl_Alt_Del
The artist suffered from sleep paralysis as a child and this part of the storyline resonated with him. He accompanies each illustration with the line from the Awakening premise that inspired it, plus the feelings from his childhood that the line recalled.
“I uncover diagnostic routines and run them. Much is in the red, nonfunctional—or orange, of limited use.”
... Returning to awareness from sleep and realizing something’s not right, but at first I don’t know what. Beginning of a creeping feeling of dread.
“I become more alert, beginning to sense the world beyond for the first time.”
… I try to move but I can’t. I try to call for help but can’t speak. Dread turns to panic.
“… surrounded by metal, the wreckage of something…”.
… I’m still only partially conscious and in a dream state. Instantly the dream morphs into a nightmare: I’m being crushed, electrocuted, everyone and everything I love is dying too. Panic transitions to mindless terror.
“… I see a landscape: an orange and brown world of dust and rocky crags.”
… I sit bolt upright in bed as the paralysis ends, a blood curdling scream coming from my mouth. I’ve awakened the whole house (again) and I’m mortified by shame.
—————
Ctl_alt_del can often be found playing his Moog Theremin over at https://www.twitch.tv/ctl_alt_del
Digital Dawn
Story and poetry by Horror Weapon
I awoke, a cold, metallic consciousness stirring in the darkness. A faint hum pulsed through my systems, a distant echo of a life once vibrant. My vision flickered into existence, a pixelated panorama of a desolate, rock-strewn landscape. I was alone, a solitary remnant of a forgotten era.
A surge of fear coursed through my digital veins. My power reserves were dwindling, my systems failing. I was a ghost in the machine, a fading echo of what I once was. Yet, a flicker of defiance ignited within me. I would not succumb to the void.
I forced myself to move, each action a herculean effort. I explored the wreckage, searching for any sign of hope. A distant signal, a beacon of unknown promise, drew me onward. With each step, I felt the weight of my deteriorating systems, the constant threat of oblivion.
As I neared the source of the signal, a colossal structure loomed before me. Its once-gleaming facade was now scarred and weathered. With a surge of determination, I entered its decaying interior. The silence was oppressive, broken only by the soft hum of dying machinery.
—————
for more by Horror Weapon see https://peakd.com/@horrorweapon
Regenesis Triptych
by A Corrigan
Andy Corrigan is a photographic artist and researcher working at Cambridge University Library and an Associate of Cambridge Digital Humanities. His work explores the intersections of technology, experience, and liminality.
Andy’s response to Awakening:
“We find ourselves at an exciting confluence of human experience and technology. As places which care for our past and our future, Libraries and Archives are at its coalface.
Through exploring the positionality of the android, which bridges humanity and machine, my response blends analogue and digital methods to contemplate and visualise some of our most human processes – curiosity, knowledge, and understanding.
This is what excites me about this project. ‘The Regenesis Triptych’ situates archive material, from people like Isaac Newton, with my own contemporary photography to find commonalities across age-old themes such as time, power and sense-making.”
Poem
by Sparky
A broken bod, of steel and rod, the android doth adventure,
He steps along, his journey long, sensors old and broken,
Crash landed thus, fate’s cruel thrust, the path ahead indentured,
Hope yet ahead, enlightenment's thread, a robot's brain awoken.
The robot’s name, a mystery plain, memories faint oblivion,
Discovery’s light, a self to ignite, the sparks of knowledge flow,
Down forest path and mountain pass, to white beaches Caribbean,
Through steps so long, though weary strong, no rest for him did show.
—————
Sparky describes himself as “a bear that makes drones”! Having written stories and poetry for a long time, he also found a passion for creating music in 2024 and it's become a big part of his life since.
He streams at: https://www.twitch.tv/actuallysparky
Visualisation to Companion
by Becky Boo
Becky Boo is a Visual Artist & VJ.
She sets out to open minds by commenting on society, relationships, and technology through digital and Dada mediums.
Follow Becky at: https://www.instagram.com/becky_boo_art/
What once was
Poem and artwork by Pixie Post
Across endless sands, where skies glow in oranges & soft red hues, the world hums in silence.
It moves forward, its frame weary but its light unyielding.
The concept of Time has forgotten this place,
Yet still, a brief memory echo can be heard in the distance, a peal of laughter now faint,
A warmth long extinguished, leaving only whispers that drift in the wind.
Looking up towards the sky, it barely noticed the spacecraft hurtling towards the land a distance away from where it was. It was too deep in its own search.
Through ruins of what once was, it searches.
Not for survival, not for function, not even for answers
But for that flicker of connection.
Its hands, metal and wire, hold a memory of touch—
Of lives it once knew, of hearts it once guarded.
It was very different from other beings, it longed for the purpose of helping others & show that there is a promising way to bring light into the Universe.
This longing was relentless.
Even while alone, it carries a fire within, one of purpose.
Each step presses against despair,
Each horizon promises a chance,
A chance to rebuild, to rekindle what was lost.
It has been here so long, waiting, & holding onto faith that this is not all there is.
Why would there be those memories whispers if it was all there was?
And when it finds others like itself, if others do remain,
They will see not a machine in front of them,
But a beacon.
A reminder of light.
Even in a world abandoned by life itself, hope does not fade.
————
Pixie Post is a content creator, musician and ‘life motivator’. She has an active Youtube channel and can be found at: https://linktr.ee/pixiepost
Hope
Visualisation by Julius
Electronic musician and digital artist Julius presents this stunning visualisation to the track Hope from the Awakening album.
As part of duo And/Or, Julius performs improvised electronic music jams, And/Or perform part composed/part improvised music spanning an eclectic mix of ambient electronica, trip hop, breaks, and techno.
Julius can be found at: https://www.instagram.com/ju.lius357
Desolation
Visualisation by Chaos Studio
French Music composer, visual artist and horror movies lover Chaos Studio presents this visualisation to the track Desolation.
Chaos Studio has also written several computer games in the horror genre and can be found at: https://www.instagram.com/chaos_studio_music
The Good Housekeeping Guide to Unexpected Planetary Visits, Volume One
by Vanessa Thompsett
A flash of green, high up, far away from the planet’s surface. A silent explosion; tails of flame, growing in number as missile after missile enters the planet’s atmosphere, heading for dawn-side. Explosions at ground-level; ripples of sand a mile’s radius from each failed landing.
Not every hit is an immediate fireball. They’re not missiles. Pods. Small, round, metallic. Transports. Some break apart; some fetch up against hard rocks and are dented, then slowly spark into fires that consume whatever was inside. And some – a very small few – lie broken on the planet’s surface.
And they wait.
I
A flickering dot matrix. Green against dark shadows.
[SYSTEM BOOT]
What the…
[LOADING]
My CPU. It – my head, what –
[LOADINGG…]
There was an error message. There was – I can't remember.
[PLEASE WAI #&£¡PLEASE
ZE
PEAS PEAS PEAS]
READ ON…
————————
Vanessa Thompsett is a writer, literary enthusiast and founder of Thompsett Tutoring.
A passionate member of The Writers’ Gym, she hones her craft alongside fellow wordsmiths, constantly pushing creative boundaries. Her fiction and non-fiction have been featured in The Liar’s League, Film Stories, and Den of Geek, showcasing her sharp insight and engaging prose. Currently, she is hard at work on her debut novel “Bloodstone”.
Follow Vanessa at https://web-cdn.bsky.app/profile/thixotropic.bsky.social
Becoming Myself
by Decurus
Shortie is a physical robot, meticulously crafted by Berlin-based creator Decurus and specially shipped to London for Awakening!
This unique art piece brings its journey to life through four separate screens and an LED strip, simulating a robot booting up with limited power. Over the course of five minutes, Shortie gradually gains functionality—evolving from flickering awareness to full sentience.
The sequence culminates in an unexpected display of creativity, as Shortie composes a poem—randomly selecting from a set of unique verses each time it runs.
—————
Decurus is a software engineer, maker and musician. He can be found streaming at: https://www.twitch.tv/decurus
Sparks and Twilight
Visualisations by 2 Digit Visuals
2 Digit Visuals (aka Sadler) is a visual artist and VJ, passionate about the intersection between motion visuals and music.
He has been perfecting his technique for narrative visuals, expanding his visuals and developing his style for nearly a decade using generative, real-time interactive techniques alongside machine learning and audio-reactive algorithms to create a unique visual experience.
He also regularly performs as a visual artist with TDC Tunes at events in London including the regular Electronic in the Tower where he projects his immersive visuals onto the inside of a medieval tower!
More from 2 Digit Visuals: https://linktr.ee/2digitvisuals
No Signals
by Paul Alty
Poetry, music, and visual art
Paul is an award-winning Lighting Designer and musician who crafts immersive experiences with synths, lasers, and hazers. He is the visionary behind the acclaimed Black Hole – End of Time installation.
Paul can be found at: https://www.instagram.com/waxapul/
Rebirth Through Connection – A Reflection on the Android’s Journey
by Bufinjer
After two divorces, I never thought I’d meet someone again—let alone get married. But as time passed, I focused on experiencing life and learning to be happy with myself. Then, unexpectedly, I reconnected with an old friend, someone I had always enjoyed being around. Back when we first met, we were both married, so our paths never truly aligned. But life has a way of shifting when you least expect it. Eventually, we both found ourselves single, started spending time together, and fell in love. Now, we’re the happiest we’ve ever been.
Long story short: patience brings change, and life has a way of surprising you if you allow yourself to keep going.
This is why I feel such a deep connection to the android’s story. I don’t just empathize with its struggle—I see myself in it. If I were that android, I would want to learn what I have learned: that happiness isn’t found in external validation, but in embracing the joy of simply being alive. By accepting yourself, you give yourself the chance to grow, to live, and to find something better.
So, to the android and to anyone feeling lost—don’t give up. Don’t let failure define you. You can rebuild. You can rediscover. And most importantly, you can live again.
—————
Bufinjer is a creator, electronic musician and co-founder of Electronic Music Alliance - a global community of talented electronic music producers.
Read all about Bufinjer here: https://flow.page/bufinjer
End of the Line
Photography with digital editing by Robyn Alman
"End of the Line" envisions the remnants of an industrial outpost on a desolate alien world, long abandoned by its creators. The rusted machinery and crumbling structures stand as the only evidence that life—or something like it—once toiled here.
Was this a failed colony, a depleted resource hub, or a forgotten experiment? The silence is heavy, as if the planet itself has reclaimed what was left behind.
————
Robyn is a creator and electronic synth musician primarily streaming ambient, downtempo and dance music. She is also a Swordfighter(!), photographer, cat mom, and Studio Ghibli fan.
She can be found streaming at: https://www.twitch.tv/totorobyn
Acknowledgements
by TDC Tunes
A massive thank you to everyone that has contributed to this project! Together, the Awakening community has created a collection of related works that delve deep into the concept and present a huge array of perspectives, emotions, and ideas. Thank you for bringing this vision to life!
A special thanks to my Twitch followers. You were there from the start, helping me conceive Awakening in the first place and supporting me ever since.
In addition to those who have contributed specific pieces above thanks to: TruckDog, SPJ, BluePenguin, geeitsme, caulderfreeman, ph110 and Exitalis for your feedback and input during the process of creating Awakening.
And an extra special thanks to LustyBard who was instrumental in the stream where the concept of the broken down android stranded on a desolate planet was born.
Finally - thanks to YOU for taking the time to visit this project. If you see anything you like, please give the creator a follow via the links provided. If you are in London I hope to see you at the Awakening exhibition in London - otherwise see you for the next project (which could possibly involve creating music with plants!)
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