Interactive installation by Joanna Hoffmann and Wolfgang Spahn, 2010
Sound composition: Dave Lawrence
2 video projectors, 2 PC’s, active speakers, 5 Balls as interfaces, 5 Videosensors, 5 transmitters and receivers, round screen, Pure Data, Visual Molecular Dynamics;
"There is nothing apart from atoms and empty space: the rest is an opinion"
--_______________________________________________________-Democratis
The motto of the installation recalls the tradition of early Greek philosophy that initiated the everlasting search for the fundamental principle and essence of the nature, physis, the world.
Today we know that atoms are born in nuclear reactions of stars, join in molecules and constitute the matter of the world that we belong to. These "extremely minute particles" are constantly interacting with each other thus making everything that exists interdependent - part of a much larger and complex system.
This is optimistic news that at least on atomic level, inscribed in the cosmic recycling, we are practically immortal. The secret remains: what makes us alive?
The inspiration for the installation came from the study of the structure of a protein molecule. This extremely dynamic and diverse compound is responsible for all cellular processes from metabolism to DNA replication. Known as the “basic brick of life”, it is mainly composed of carbon, oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen – the most primary elements in the cosmic space.
Life is considered as an integral component of the Universe. However it is extremely context-dependent thus cannot be treated separately from the environment in which it has originated and evolved.
The installation brings out relations between our inner and outer environments, between micro and macro scales, animated and non animated, scientific and imaginative, providing the viewer with a contemplative and playful experience.
Description:
The installation constitutes of 3 overlapping projections projected on the floor: a 3D interactive model of a protein structure, live programmed video compositions and live programmed shadows of 5 white balls recoded by an infrared camera.
These 5 white balls (tangible representations of atoms) are scattered around the room and serve as interfaces. Each ball contains a sensor measuring its movement, and a transmitter sending signals to one of the computers. The movement of each ball influences the flow of the 3D model of a protein. If more balls are set in motion the course of the projected molecule become the sum of all signals. In this way a few participants can act together to explore the complexity and alterability of molecular structure. The 3D model of a protein merges with a constantly changing sequence of video pieces referring to the fundamental elements and states of matter.
Recordings of the balls, programmed and united with the other projections, introduce confusion between reality and its representation and challenge viewers’ sense of spatial and temporal dimensions.
The evocative and live visual composition has a specially composed and programmed soundscape based on recordings in big urban agglomerations, and generated sounds that help refer to existence, continuity, movement, interchange, and communication. The flow of the sounds reflect our daily activities and varying presence - reminding us that we, like atoms, exist and interact in many dynamic micro and macro systems.
The installation has an open structure without definite beginning and end. The interaction alters the constant flow and the view of 3D model that, in fact can never be perceived in its entirety. The ever-changing visual and sonic experience corresponds with the live performance of the molecule, giving the viewer a unique, unrepeatable, and personal experience.
more info: PDF