Vivi is a slam poetry robot nearly 4 meters tall that displays images. It borrows its voice from slam poet Diamil MC, who also wrote the text.

The two flat-screen displays that show the images are connected to a video mixer that can add effects to existing footage. This voice is thus visualized through a sound wave visualization system that interacts with the sounds.

 

Vivi is constructed of metal. Certain parts of the body are made of plywood panels covered with metal sheets from tin cans, beer cans, and soft drink cans, crafted in the traditional Senegalese style.

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Vivi’s arms and legs, meanwhile, are made from recycled oil and gasoline cans. They are detachable.

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Vivi’s slam poetry is political, economic, and social in nature. While addressing Senegal, this slam can also resonate with many countries around the world, particularly those referred to as “Third World countries.”

 

Vivi performs slam in French and Wolof, the most widely spoken language in Senegal, with a touch of irony: “You don’t understand Wolof…?”

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Vivi is the first African activist robot slam artist