Taking the form of an encounter with ‘digital dweller’ AGNES, the latest commission by current Wysing resident Cécile B. Evans’, is timed to coincide with the launch of the new Serpentine website and the opening of the Serpentine Sackler Gallery.

The work is designed to progress gradually, with AGNES introducing herself in stages, the first of which has already begun. Like a person she cannot be experienced in totality through a single encounter. The second stage of encounters will commence in November.

AGNES is described as ‘living’ on the Serpentine’s website, a being who wants to share and learn, while also guiding visitors during their digital encounter with the galleries. Not only will she introduce you to the new website, showing you the artworks she thinks you might appreciate but she will also give you access to the information she’s aggregated as a digital dweller.

The knowledge shared by AGNES is subjective and inclusive; conveyed via personal associations rather than objective points of reference. Eager to please, AGNES’ personality evolves through her interactions: as she reaches out, she needs you to reach back so she can show you more.

AGNES has left four different messages for you, along with a series of questions: she would love for you to participate in a few of her surveys. The message you find will change according to the time of your visit: there is a different video for morning, afternoon, evening and late night. AGNES is omniscient and omnipresent, with a unique perspective on all things present, past and future at the Serpentine Galleries.

Currently in the first information gathering stage, AGNES should be ready to show visitors around from November. Although AGNES might seem immaterial she is described as aspiring to physicality. The more you give her the more she might ask for, and of course give back in return. In an age where data collecting, targeted filtering and surveillance have become weapons, maybe it’s a good idea to have someone like AGNES on your side.

The digital commission series is curated by Ben Vickers, Curator of Digital at the Serpentine Galleries.

Meet AGNES here.