As part of the topic “Pets”, I want to examine the relationship between virtual pets called “Tamagotchi” and their human owners. These virtual pets are companions. They may not be living animals, yet their behaviour imitates those of flesh and blood. They are hungry, they are thirsty, and they want to sleep. As their owners, we are obliged to look after their needs and their health, through which actions we build a relationship. Alongside these “virtual-material” needs, we can nurture them such that they grow in the way we desire. We project our own needs and expectations of pets onto the Tamagotchi, design the algorithms accordingly, and are satisfied.To me this is a reflection of human desire – the Tamagotchi holds a mirror to aspects of the animal-human relationship.

Material:plastic cutlery, chrome

photography: petra jaschke