the Spectators interactive video installation
2008
still in progress
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2008 ITP thesis project
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This project is an interactive video installation that explores issues of (inter)personal responsibility and suffering vis-?-vis torture.
The installation consists of a video camera and a screen.
A computer vision system connected to the video camera detects the viewer's face and tracks their eye blinking patterns.
The detected blinking patterns are transformed into computer generated animations on the screen.
When no viewers are present, the screen displays vague images of virtual victims in a three dimensional space.
However, when an audience member approaches the screen and remains in front of it for more than 2-3 seconds,
the screen starts to project a pixilated mirror image of the person¡¯s face and then the camera begins to detect her/his blinking patterns.
The viewer's blinking patterns will trigger violent actions on the screen.
This project aims to point out our indifference and irresponsibility towards other people¡¯s pain.
The subject matter of the project, torture, is a symbolism of violence and other's pain that we are used to neglect.
The viewer's blinking is converted into an act of torture and also distorts the viewer¡¯s mirror image on the screen.
As the viewer continues to blink, her/his mirror image will become increasingly deformed on the screen.
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C++ with openFrameworks / openCV / openGL library
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Special thanks to : Marina Zurkow, Maria Cabo, Jaewook Shin, Vibhav Bhawsar, Ameya Mhatre, Jain Koo
