Final Project Proposal

For my final project, I want to explore the idea of reflection and what we usually don’t see when we visualize the world, particularly I want to look into the world of pixels. I am inspired by the work of Nam June Paik because he applies the concept of cybernetics and loops. In the TV Buddha installation I admire the cybernetic connection between the buddha in front of the tv and their reflection. My concept will be focused on the relation between the participant in front of the webcam and objects they hold will be represented in forms of pixels which can follow their movement and form uniquely. When we take photos or zoom in on images really close, we could actually see that images are made of pixels. Pixels can create one image but we cannot see them when we look at things. Just like how our bodies are made out of cells and tissues, we do not see them with the naked eye or even view the human body as “pixelated” individuals. What I want to depict in my final project is to let users see the pixel world and the reflection of things they hold. This idea of cybernetics can be used in both technical and personal level because it not only raise the question of things we see but also how we see things in our daily lives. I also want to investigate on the changes of how webcam can display on screen depending on light and motion.

In terms of the software aspect for my final project, I will use openframeworks and use the webcam function to display user’s reflection. I will also make pixels that follows and forms the objects the user if holding or even turn the whole user into pixel form. In one screen I would like to experiment with multiple types of reflection and degrees of pixelation. I want to let users experience seeing themselves more than just their facial appearance or what the world see them as. Another thing I want users to feel when they interact with this webcam is that they see the changes happening and the differences between multiple frames all happening at once.

My artwork and the environment will interact in a site-specific installation context through the relationship between screen and activity. Everyone will experience different response and see how their activities will change the display on screen. Multiple frames in one screen will create a more dynamic experience because the display of motion will change depending on the gestures and lighting of the subject. Different frames will respond differently to the motion but all display at the same time which makes this cybernetic art more interesting since many things are happening at once and not only is there a reflection, but the system will determine what to display based on the agent.

Work Cited

http://www.medienkunstnetz.de/works/tv-buddha/

http://www.paikstudios.com/

http://openframeworks.cc/documentation/graphics/ofPixels/