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By Thecla
Schiphorst
Bodymaps: artifacts of touch is a computer
interactive sound and video installation exhibited at the
Western front gallery in Vancouver, April '96, Ars
electronica in Linz Austria from September 2nd to 23rd
l996, and at Interaction '97 in Ogaki-City Japan March
'97. The piece uses a specially designed sensor surface,
embedded with 15 Electromagnetic Field Sensors (Reach)
which operate very much like 15 theremins, and 8 Force
Sensing Resistor Sensors (Touch) which can detect touch,
pressure and the amount of force applied to the surface.
All sensors are interfaced using the I-CubeX.
Together these sensors lie beneath
a white velvet surface upon which is projected images of
the artist's body. The surface yearns for contact and
touch. Its rule base is complex and subtle, impossible to
decode. Its effect is disturbing, erotic, sensual and
subjective.
The intention of the work is to subvert the
visual/objective relationship between the object and the
eye, between click and drag, between analysis and power,
to create a relationship between participant and
technology that transgresses rules of ownership and
objectivity and begs questions of experience, power, and
being.
The piece and interface was designed by Thecla
Schiphorst, researched and engineered by Infusion
systems, programmed by Ken Gregory and Grant Gregson, and
constructed by Hanif Jan Mohamed and Ewen McNeil.
1998 |