Subject – Sophia the robot

Client – King Kong magazine X Gucci

Year – 2018

Description – The cover story for King Kong’s 5th installment has a unique subject. Sophia, the robot, is the inspired brainchild of Hanson Robotics, an AI/robotics firm based in Hong Kong and focused on engineering humanity into their synthetic progeny. On the cover and spread throughout Timothy Saccenti’s glorious photo-essay, Sophia brandishes a feminine touch in a number of Gucci styled outfits. Saccenti’s clever rendering focuses on the woman beneath her silicone frame. Sophia is a complex intelligence designed with a framework for language recognition, processing, and an ability to converse and emote. The technological achievement of her existence is recognized widely in her current post as the U.N. Innovation Champion, as well as her Saudi Citizenship. Her place in our culture is a new one – Steven Graf’s story accompanying Saccenti’s photo essay unpacks what’s essential to the concept of ‘humanity’ in a world occupied by a thing like Sophia.

Retouching – Q Studios INC @Q_studios
Essay – “Second Person” – Steven Graf

Styling – SK Tang
Hair – Marco Chan
Makeup – Elaw Wong
Model – Elsa Li Chao
Producer – Joanne Yue
Audio – Vyle
Motion Post – Sam Rolfes, Kevin Stein, Matt Posey