Vultures is a cross-form piece by Matt Brombley, responding to Chi Ying Lam's research on migrant women's engagement with AI deepfakes.

At the heart the performance is a custom-coded, biodynamic system that turns drawing into sound, sound into movement, and movement into drawing. This is weaved together with vocals, samples and other sonic elements into a semi-improvised performance, guided by a one page score.

The piece takes its title from the words of one participant's reaction to a deep fake video: "very convincing, they're like vultures".

Emerging from that central metaphor, the piece draws in themes from the research and their resonance with Matt's practice and identity, exploring tensions inherent in the relationships we have with, and the relationships between, technology, family, and the environment; relationships with and between doubt and belief; progress and reflection; identity and belonging; relationship with and between life and death.

Vultures was originally performed at British Science Festival 2026, and was kindly supported by Mayflower Studios. After the performance, Matt will demonstrate and explain the technology at its heart.

Show Time: 14:00

Run Time: 30 minutes

Suitability: 18+ only

PLEASE NOTE: a few additional tickets will be available on the day at the lecture theatre entrance in Sir James Matthew Building, on a first-come-first-served basis.

Accessibility alert:

Loud sounds

Flashing images

Possible strong language

Potentially upsetting content

Darkened spaces

Accessibility: Venue is wheelchair accessible. A quiet room, with a sensory tent, will be available nearby - please ask a member of the festival team for directions. Please visit the site here for further information: Accessibility (southamptonartshumfest.co.uk) (https://www.southamptonartshumfest.co.uk/artshumday/accessibility/)

PLEASE NOTE: This ticket gives you access to the workshop only. You will need to book a FREE general admission ticket for Arts and Humanities Day to complete your registration to the festival, by filling the form here: Eventbrite (https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/arts-and-humanities-day-2026-tickets-2002801421967?aff=oddtdtcreator)

This event is taking place as part of Arts and Humanities Day, the fun-filled family-friendly flagship event of Southampton Arts and Humanities Festival (https://www.southamptonartshumfest.co.uk/).

Please contact the event organiser at festival@soton.ac.uk if you have any questions regarding the event you are booking.

Visit the Arts and Humanities Day's official website at Southampton Arts and Humanities Festival 2026 - Whats-on (southamptonartshumfest.co.uk) (https://southamptonartshumfest.co.uk/artshumday/whats-on/) to find out the full festival programme and plan your attendance.

Don't forget to follow UoS Engagement and #UoSArtsHumFest on social media to stay up to date with the latest news and upcoming events.

Description supplied by the event organiser.