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ZeroOne San Jose / ISEA2006 ISEA2006 symposium
IntroSpection and Protozoa Games PDF Print E-mail
Artist Presentations
Aug 04, 2006 at 12:00 AM

Stephen Wilson

biology, microscope, microorganisms, microbiology, motion-tracking, species, bioterrorism, identity

Introspection enables people to interact with microorganisms and cells derived from their own body in a non-invasive way. The contradiction of interacting with these alien, unfamiliar life forms (which are nonetheless intimately connected with our bodies) focuses on the boundaries between self and non-self and the cultural interest in bio-identification.  Reflecting on animal experimentation and the relationships between species, the Protozoa Games interactive installations allow humans and live protozoa to compete in a pinball-like environment mediated by digital microscope and motion tracking technologies.  If time allows, other projects in physical computing will also be discussed. More info:  http://userwww.sfsu.edu/~swilson/

Abstract

Introspection:

Introspection enables people to interact with microorganisms and cells derived from their own body and those of others. It asks visitors to reflect on the place of humanity within the larger biosphere. The installation's status as hybrid scientific/medical enterprise and media/game asks questions about access to scientific and medical protocols and new worlds made accessible by science. The contradiction of interacting with these alien, unfamiliar life forms (which are nonetheless intimately connected with our bodies) focuses on the boundaries between self and non-self. The request of visitors to surrender cells or body fluids brings home the often unspoken intimacy of biological research. It was shown in the Miller Gallery at Carnegie Mellon.

The installation reflects on our culture's increasing focus on the microbiological. Human traits, capabilities, and identities are searched for at the unseen cellular and genetic levels. What should we make of this trend? How should non-scientists participate? It is urgent that the public develop deep literacy with microbiological tools and concepts. Emerging generations of networked, automated microscopes may usher in wider access just as the microcomputer did in its realm. This installation appropriates this emerging technology by reverse engineering it so it can become part of media art. Visitors are invited to play four 'games'. 1. Explore 2. Mystery 3. Match 4. Blow-up

Explore: Visitors pick areas of their own cell sample for microscopic inspection by moving in the installation space. Motion detection creates a homunculus on screen whose movements parallel those of the visitor. The event seeks to demystify biological research methodology by asking visitors to engage in a mini-study of their own body as part of media art

Mystery: Where Did This Come From? Visitors try to identify what place in their cell sample is the origin of a blown up mystery image. The installation invites viewers to contemplate the micro world and to reflect on a biological era that must work at this unseen level relying on instrumentation for access.

Match: A FBI wanted poster from the future replaces fingerprints with images of cell samples from a randomly selected prior visitor. The viewer is challenged to identify which of six previous viewer portraits is the person who gave the samples. The event asks viewers to reflect on the changing nature of identity when so much cultural attention is focused on the microbiological level. With successful identification, visitors are rewarded with lights flashing in the environment and a sample of the prior visitor's recording of an answer to questions about things on the inside - such as "what is inside of you?" "how do you know what is inside of someone else?

Blow up: Visitors can pick one area of their cell sample for detailed examination. Movements and gestures in the space can bring access to increasing levels of magnification. More details are seen but is any more known?

Process: Introspection asks viewers to take a cell sample from their own mouth and then transfer it to a microscope slide. The slide is then submitted to Nikon's automated Coolscope which allows telemicrscopy control for the computer orchestrating the media event. They are also asked to record a short voice sample reflecting on the insides of things. Video portraits are captured.

Viewers interact via motion detection which tracks their motion in the play area. A game controller indicates choices made. The database of cell samples, voices, and portraits becomes the basis of various animated displays.

Concept Maps: How to think about these organisms inside? Are they part of us, invaders, or helpers? One animated event poses these concept maps as a provocation.

Protozoa Games:

Reflecting on animal experimentation and the relationships between species, the Protozoa Games interactive installations allow humans and live protozoa to compete in pinball-like environments mediated by digital microscope and motion tracking technologies. It asks audiences to consider new kinds of access made available through scientific tools and research. It proposes new ways for audiences to engage this information in cultural niches outside of professional science.

A series of events allow humans and protozoa to work together. A digital microscope tracks the activities of a variety of live single celled animals such as stentor, paramecia, amoebae, vorticella, volvox, and rotifers and projects the images on a large screen. At the same time humans are invited to engage in various movement 'games' in the space in front of the screen.

Motion detection technology tracks the movements of the protozoa and the humans The computer orchestrates a series of events in which protozoa actions influence the humans and others where humans try to influence the protozoa. With success at synchronization, lights flash, electornic sound, and computer animations are composed.and web surfing is activated.

The installations investigate a variety of themes: Human relationships with animals, the ethics of animal and human experimentation, the nature of intelligence and consciousness, and reflections on the essence of life. Protozoa, as highly evolved single-celled animals allow a unique perspective on these issues. The game setup structurally emulates typical animal experimentation forms.

URLS:
IntroSpection

protozoa games

Last Updated ( Aug 07, 2006 at 01:36 AM )
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