Information
(collective) Fleischmann / Strauss >
»Rigid Waves«, 1992 - 1993
Co-Workers & Funding:
Co-Worker: Carl Loeffler
Technology
Descriptions & Essays
Rigid waves leave tracks which are stored in our brains. Mirrors tell the truth by reflecting, it is said. But it is the brain that interprets the data at the retina. The mirror supports our ability to observe ourselves and our world with reflective perception. Located between being and seeming, it is a symbol for transitoriness and self-alienation. The fragile world of illusions confronts aspects of virtuality and reality in a magic mirror. "Rigid waves" is an image in the image, where the visitor meets himself. He himself is the interface he is acting with. The approaching visitor will notice that he is changing the picture. The scene becomes photorealistic. This getting closer to real things is inverted due to the too-small distance existing when the spectator is leaving. The image trembles and becomes unclear. As in dreams, the images begin to speak through phase shift and extension. Shadows are produced, and finally the gestures become distorted. Movements get confused. Sequences of events are no longer near in time. The pictures seem to be oddly assorted. Traces of the interactive dialog remain visible in the picture.
As in films, the moving pictures evoke imagination space in the observer's head. The visitor's "image in the image" is a game with the enlarged possibilities of the future digital space - the interactive stage.
When an impressionistic painting is approached, it turns into a realistic picture with a mirror motiv. Once the visitor is close enough, noises can be heard. He sees his reflection on the mirror, perceiving changes in presentation which are calculated by closeness and distance. Coming too close, the visitor's reflection is smashed. When the visitor is leaving only his shadow remains
The visitor approaching the painting releases photo-realistic and acoustic elements. The innovative interface between man and machine allows an intuition-based interaction with the computer (image processing). The spectator becomes a part of the world that comes to live in the picture. Through gesture and body movement he has influence upon the virtual picture.
The visitor is put into the picture by an invisible camera. The visitor's position is interpreted by algorithms of the computer vision. The video picture is transformed by realtime algorithms which are especially designed for the hardware (texture mapping, realtime morphing). This means that picture processing (assessment of the visitor: his approaching, his gestures) and presentation (distortion of the picture) take advantage of the hardware possibilities for realtime interaction.
The results are used for certain modifications of the virtual reflection image. The integration of digital video technique (the spectator's image) has been realized in real time for the first time. This will be of increasing importance for future television.
Literature
Exhibitions & Events