February 04, 2005
Breathe On Me
Breath as a Fundamental Form of Communication
Breathe On Me is an installation/internet work consisting of a three-walled space with a number of hybrid fan/webcam devices affixed to the walls. The fan/webcam devices are modified netcams such that Internet users can control the direction of a fan from the remote webcam view combined with pan and tilt controls. Internet users can choose one of the devices in the space, log onto the "FanCam," visually locate visitors in the physical space and then turn on the fan and "breathe" towards the person. Visitors in the physical space are invited to enter a space where they will be remotely seen and will not know who is telepresent. Once seen by internet participants, they will receive an offer of fan "breath" as a fundamental form of communication. Visitors who enter the space are asking to receive a telepresent stranger’s glance and touch in the form of wind. Internet users reach out to physical visitors in the simple offer of moving air.
To visit in telepresence: Links will to the live performance will be available at the live site within 24hrs. Opening Telepresently and in Situ: Friday, February 4, 2005; 8.00-9.30 PM, Pacific Standard Time, Continuing live through February 6; INTERACTIVE FUTURES 05: Technology in the Life World, Victoria, BC @ Open Space Artist-Run Centre
Posted by jo at February 4, 2005 09:35 AM
Comments
On 2/12/05 6:58 PM, "Andrei R. Thomaz" wrote:
> that remembered me of the work Teleporting An Unknown Sapce
> (http://www.ekac.org/telepsim/telep.html). by Eduardo Kac.
>
> what kind of relationships woud you make between the two works?
>
> bye,
> andrei
Andrei,
Thanks for calling my attention to the Eduardo Kac Teleporting piece. Believe it or not I had not seen it before. "Breathe On Me" is definitely related in that it is concerned with the wonder and questions of telepresence. However, an important difference might be that while the Kac's teleporting piece equates being with vision alone, I am trying to extend the dimension a little bit towards bodily touch and movement. I don't want to make the optical and the body too oppositional but I want to widen the sense of presence, considering how much surveillance is proliferating these days. To breathe on someone means you need to be very close to them. Although the breath is subtle, the situation of proximity is extremely strong. I found out today that Britney Spears has a song by the same name. Its very erotic and platonic at the same time. Although I can't really say the first experience of the piece was quite that vivid, I meant to gesture towards this idea across the Net.
Will
Posted by: W Pappenheimer at February 17, 2005 12:16 AM
