Virtual | Real pet

In the 70's we had the pet rocks that have gotten lost over the years in drawers and attics. The 90's gave us Tamagotchi's to look after, which we could reset if all else failed. But now SWAMP & Tiago Rorke present the Tardigotchi. "An artwork featuring two pets: a living organism (ed. a tardigrade) and an alive avatar (ed. gotchi)."

We can feed the avatar virtually with a push on the button which in turn will feed the organism. All this while we connect online and send our love and praise through Facebook or by email, which actually triggers a brief signal of warmth to the tardigrade and virtual rays of sun to the avatar. As the makers say on the website: "A Tardigotchi owner tends to a real and a virtual creature simultaneously." The question that is asked at the same time is whether this makes a difference.

via we-make-money-not-art