Intent

In our investigation, we explored the intersection of prediction and technology through a device embedded with machine learning. Through the lens of tasseography, we explored how we could use mysticism and belief to imbue rituals with meaning - magnifying the mundane action of stirring a teacup into an omen of the future. Tea rituals are ancient and persistent, and the act of reading one’s tea leaves has long been practiced throughout medieval Europe. Traditionally, tea reading is predominantly an exercise in interpretation. Yet we wanted to see how data-ifying the process, and imbuing it with mechanical intelligence could be used to guide one’s interpretation differently. And perhaps, rewrite the future.