Some video that was captured during the testing of the prototype.
The Setup - The piece itself would consist of an interactive kinetic machine hung in a gallery space. Adjacent to this would be a projector and screen showing a live stream of what "the machine sees" This setup is outlined in the first video, as well as the conceptual narrative outlining how visitors could interact with the piece.
Concept - The art piece is an experiment in human computer interaction. By giving the machine the ability to recognize and respond to faces the piece begins to take on anthropomorphic qualities. Could it be possible for characteristics such as shyness or obsession to be conveyed through its movement?The piece also aims to create indeterminacy in art, it's not immediately obvious how people react to art that uses users as a variable. By then showing the projected image of what the machine sees, the piece seeks to inform and involve the users of their own participation.
The project currently takes the form of a working prototype, which is shown in the first video. To take this project to completion I would remake a lot of the current parts in more robust materials. There is more work to be done on the programming end to incorporate the responsiveness to human form. As well as practical considerations such as timed shut offs during closing hours and longevity testing.
A closeup view of the mechanism that enables the rotation of the outer ring, The inner ring is driven by another motor hidden between the surfaces of the two mirrors.
