The tree of life of communication and of knowledge 

This very impressive artistic exhibit sought to represent a tree of knowledge bearing images and texts attached to it . The choice of a tree is explained by its symbolism: it exists in all cultures and represents life and communication which is a basic component of life in society or in any group. Its roots reaches deep into the earth. Just as Information & Communication Sciences (ICS) in France is an interdiscipline that draws from several disciplines, the tree trunk represents the common heritage of this interdiscipline while its branches represents the subfields of the ICS (communication, media studies, journalism, information studies, documentation and library science, cultural studies, etc). The branches with their coloured autumnal leaves represent knowledge alreay accumulated by our predecessors.

The Rwandan Genocide and the "Radio Mille Collines"

This very profoundly researched multimedia art exhibit showcased the functioning of propaganda during the Rwandan genocide of 1994 which culminated in the massacre of 800 000 Tutsis in less than 100 days by their Hutu ethnic counterpart.
The exhibit reconstructed the timeline of the genocide, dug up archival images, photos and texts and extracts from the mainstream media which were displayed on the wall to enable visitors to retrace how the genocide took place and its devastating consequences. So in the first level, were confronted with the history of the genocide. The second level featured the analysis and theoretical explanations of how the genocide became possible.
Three laptop computers were placed on the table in front of the signs "Avant" (Before), "Pendant" (During) and "Après" (After) the genocide on which the students had prepared audio recordings analysing what happened. To create the impression of immersion in this universe, students wore on the front of their white T-shirts the sign "Je suis..." (I am) and on the back, one of the names of the theorists whose theory helped explained various aspects of information and communication that played out in this genocide (Wiener, E. Bernays, Palo Alto, Corneille and Radio Mille Collines.). 

The adventures of Maya or bees' communication explained
This impressive artistic project showcased very beautiful specimens of bees, a beehive in a tree containing entirely designed by the students. Its aim was to explain how bee hives survive through the meaningful exchange of perfectly orchestrated information and communication in order to overcome numerous obstacles and predators. The storyline was constructed around three episodes each illustrating information and communication situations that arise as the bees buzz around to accomplish their daily tasks.
It is constructed around the central character of Maya, a foraging honeybee whose role it is to help the other bees organise their work, find food and defend the queen and the hive from alien and hostile neighbours. To explain how the different information & communication theories operate in this setting, the students explained how Maya communicates with other bees through the prism of Wiener's cybernetic theory: Bees communicate information (where to find food, the presence of danger) to the rest of the community through specific dance patterns (rounds or waggle dance). Bees in the same colony receive and correctly interpret these dances and then act accordingly, sending the necessary feedback that enable the complex system to auto-regulate itself. 

The myth of Icarus or the dangers of AI and Aristotle's rhetoric

This impressively executed exhibit consisted of two separate works of art, each illustrating one of the information & communication theories the students had learnt about during the theoretical courses. First, one artwork showcased the myth d'Icarus to illustrate the technological armaggedon which Wiener, the father of cybernetics feared may happen if machines took control of humans. In the myth of Icarus, his Father Daedalus, the creator of the Labyrinth warned his son about the dangers of flying too close to the sun because of its extreme heat as his wings are made of wax and would melt when in contact with the heat of the sun. This would result in his being precipitated into the sea and therefore to his death. The students transposed this myth to showcase the attraction but also the risks inherent in Wiener's cybernetics and the Artificial Intelligence to which it led. Icarus represents humans (in the story, he is symbolically called Homo-Numericus) who are getting ever closer to the sun (here by building intelligent machines). Daedalus is represented by Wiener.
The story was designed as a dialogue between Wiener (Daedalus) and his mythical son Homo Numericus (Icarus). 

Communication molecules

This exhibit showcased Gregory Bateson and Paul Watzlawick's 5 axioms of interpersonal communication, the two key figures of the Palo Alto school. The 5 axioms were represented a group of molecules surrounding a central atom. For the students, this was an abstract way of representing the fusion of scientists and thinkers that coalesced around the different schools at the origin of communication theories, which is why they entitled their exhibit "Communication molecules: When science meets thought". The central atom, made of a white big ball is surrounded by 5 smaller balls suspended to it, each representing the 5 axioms of the Palo Alto school.

Doctor consultation scenario explained through Palo Alto's 5 axioms of interpersonal communication
This very beautifully executed consisted of miniature characters set within 5 scenes each depicting the different stages of a doctor consultation. The students used these 5 scenes to portray Palo Alto's 5 axioms of interpersonal communication and the communication problems we can encounter in our daily lives. The characters were based on “trollface” or funny face expressions.