In today’s hyper-digital age, the idea of a “digital twin” has moved far beyond engineering or technology—it has entered the realm of art. A digital twin is essentially a virtual replica of a person, object, or system, often enhanced with data and interactivity. For contemporary artists, this concept provides a fascinating way to explore identity, self-representation, and the blurred boundary between physical and virtual existence.
Artists working with digital twins often begin with their own likeness. Using 3D scans, motion capture, and AI modeling, they create alternate versions of themselves that can perform, speak, or even evolve independently in virtual spaces. These twins challenge the notion of a fixed identity by presenting a self that is fluid, mutable, and shaped by both human intention and digital possibility.
For example, an artist might design a digital twin that reflects hidden aspects of their personality, such as fear or desire, giving those emotions a virtual body. Others create twins that age differently, transform across genders, or occupy fantastical worlds, opening new ways of thinking about personal and social identity. In this way, digital twins become both mirrors and distortions, questioning how much of who we are is defined by technology, culture, and imagination.
Exhibitions featuring digital twins often take place in VR galleries, online platforms, or immersive installations where audiences interact with the virtual selves. This interactivity adds another layer of meaning—the audience becomes part of shaping the twin’s narrative, just as society shapes individual identity in real life.
At the same time, these works raise critical questions: Who owns the image of a digital twin? Can virtual versions of ourselves be manipulated or exploited? By bringing these issues into the art world, digital twin projects spark debates about privacy, authenticity, and the future of human presence in digital environments.
Ultimately, artists exploring identity through digital twins are not just experimenting with technology—they are opening philosophical conversations about what it means to be human in an era where our lives increasingly exist in both physical and virtual dimensions.