Steerless into the future

On an autumn afternoon, we were walking through Zurich's old town with friends. We had read on Kulturzüri that there was an installation entitled "AUTO" in the Münsterhof. A performance was supposed to take place every 45 minutes. When we arrive, everything seems quiet. A bright yellow Postbus is parked in the centre of the square. "FUTURE BOUND" is written above the door, next to it a screen flashes with the prompt "TAKE A RIDE". All around are yellow lines, arrows, barriers and digital boards with words like "HEY YOU" or "DON'T THINK". It looks like a testing ground, a film set - or perhaps both at the same time. People stop, take photos, read the signs and look at the lines on the floor. But nothing happens.

Curious, I go to a small, cube-shaped stand labelled "AUTO", where two people in yellow fluorescent waistcoats are standing. They look like stewards and part of the art at the same time. "When do we start?" I ask. Shortly afterwards, we're sitting on a yellow staircase with a couple of strangers. A screen wakes up and a woman, presumably generated by AI, greets us in a matter-of-fact but friendly manner. She explains the procedure: We have to perform white texts, sing yellow ones. We have to choose a destination together. We decide on Villa Kunterbunt, perhaps because it sounds pleasantly familiar in this strange situation.

We are then asked to get into the Postbus. Together with the strangers, we take our seats in the small, driverless bus. "Think of your first memories of being driven," is written on the screen. Then our imaginary journey towards Villa Kunterbunt begins. The Postbus remains motionless, while passers-by outside watch the scene with curiosity. At first we follow the instructions hesitantly, then more and more freely. We sing, throw our hands in the air, laugh and notice how our small group forms its own improvised community.