Digital Art

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Digital Art

• Multimedia
• MED04-2
• October 2005

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Definitions of an Interface

• The point of interaction or communication between
  a computer and any other entity, such as a
  printer or human operator.
• The layout of an application's graphic or textual
  controls in conjunction with the way the
  application responds to user activity
• Washing machine
• Microwave oven
• Web Browser then content within this
• Computer Desktop
• Mobile phone

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Designing for Different Interfaces

• Screen Based
• Interfaces for applications
• Web applications - HTML or package based
• Standalone CD ROM (Director, Flash)
• Off-Screen - Installation based art work
• Often involves programming, pressure pads,
  sensors, video cameras
• Handheld - personal computing devices
• Interface issues for applications
• Web based issues
• Internet Mobile Phones (WAP)
• XML programming for the web
• Interface issues for applications

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Human Interface Design PrinciplesWIMP Model
(windows, icons, menus pointers) for Graphical
User Interfaces
Metaphor The interface should be based on
metaphors with the familiar non-computer world
around us (desktop) Direct manipulation Users
interact directly with objects in the interface
(drag drop) See Point Users interact with
the computer by pointing at objects on the screen
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Human Interface Design PrinciplesWIMP Model
(windows, icons, menus pointers) for Graphical
User Interfaces
Consistency Learning will be reduced if objects
with a similar function always look behave the
same (icons) Forgiveness User actions should
generally be reversible. User warned if something
will cause data loss (trash can) Perceived
Stability Elements in the computer interface
should not be changed without the users
involvement. (windows reappear as user left them)
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Apple Macintosh User Interface 1984
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Microsoft Windows User Interface 1993
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Handheld ComputersPersonal Digital Assistant
(PDA)

• Colour BW displays - keyboard or hand
  written
• Screen size limitations in terms of design
• Small amount of memory V desktop machine
• Connect to internet, download upload to
  
• computer

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I-Pod

• Podcasting - method of publishing audio
  programs via the Internet, allowing users to
  subscribe to a feed of new files, normally MP3s
• Revolution in terms of audio and content
  dissemination.
• Like Sky can change the way we listen to the
  radio

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Internet Mobile Phones

• Content based information (colour, video)
• Limited graphic capability
• Limited memory display size
• GPS - global positioning system.
• Phone to give suitable information to the
  
• user based on where the user is situated

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Digital Installations
Typical Exhibitions Siggraph (special interest
group for graphics) Ars Electronica ISEA
(International Symposium for Electronic
Arts) Digital Dreams Video Positive LoveBytes Seri
ous Games
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Toshio Iwai - The Piano
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Toshio Iwai - The Piano

• Use the trackball button to position and place
  dots on a moving grid on the lower projection
  screen.
• These dots which in turn project
  computer-generated images on the upper screen.
• The patterns you create with these dots generate
  simple melodies and related visual formations
• Aims to combine the physical and the virtual into
  an interactive experience

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Toshio Iwai - The Piano
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Toshio Iwai - Resonance of 4
Resonance of 4 is an interactive audio-visual
installation which allows four people to create
one musical composition in co-operation with
each other. 4 players are given different tones
with which they can compose their own melodies.
Each person uses mouse to place dots on four grid
images projected onto the floor. The intention
is that the player listens to the melodies which
are being created by the other players, and then
tries to change their own melody to make better
harmony. In this way, the installation will not
only generate a resonance of sounds, but will
create a resonance of minds between the 4
players.
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Toshio Iwai - Resonance of 4
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Toshio Iwai - Resonance of 4
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Paul Sermon Theres no simulation like home

• Explores our perception of the world and our
  interaction in it
• The user can walk around a house in an apparently
  everyday domestic set-up with living room,
  bedroom and bathroom
• Security cameras followed every move of the
  visitor - introducing an element of voyeurism -
  also with peep holes on the outside of the
  installation
• In each room there are video screens and the user
  finds they are interacting in a similar remote
  environment with someone they had never met
  before
• Aims to explore the complex possibilities of
  living together in a virtual world but apart in
  the material world

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Paul Sermon Theres no simulation like home
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Paul Sermon Theres no simulation like home
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Paul Sermon Theres no simulation like home
The exterior
The mirror
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Paul Sermon Telematic Dreaming
Telematic dreaming functions like a mirror that
reflects your image within another persons
reality. The basic technical system consists of
a camera situated above a Queen size double bed.
The camera receives an over-head view of the bed,
which is fortunately of equal ratio to that of
video format. The image of the bed, and someone
lying on it, is sent via ISDN lines and
teleconferencing systems to a video projector
situated above another bed, in a geographical
distant location. The live image is projected
down on to the bed and so with it the live life
size image of the person. Another video camera
situated next to the video projector sends an
image of the projection, and second person lying
on the bed under the projection, back to the
first bed. It is a means of extending
consciousness through a technological extension
of the body Paul Sermon.
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Paul Sermon Telematic Dreaming
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Paul Sermon Telematic Dreaming
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Char Davies Osmose
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Char Davies Osmose
Osmose (Osmosis) (1995) is an immersive virtual
environment that explores the inter-relation
between exterior nature and interior self. The
user is totally immersed in a 3D digital
environment. Users wear a helmet, to slowly float
through a shimmering 3D space of artificial
earth, tree, and water - the users headgear is
controlled by their own breathing. Other
viewers can witness a projection of what the
'immersant' is seeing/hearing, and see a
silhouette of their movements in the helmet. I
call this piece Art for one as the piece is a
bookable environment for 20 minutes and very
few were able to experience this work of art
themselves. This piece was programmed on a
silicon graphics machine and used the package
Softimage to manipulate the images.
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Char Davies Osmose
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Char Davies Osmose