Background to the research.
The initial starting point for the Video Networks research was to create principally video based works which could be displayed in an installation or performance context and influence or act on each other.
The research was to investigate future directions for cinema and by doing so explore it as a non-linear artistic form. By pairing what are commonly associated as opposing concepts from traditional and new media's, linear media with networked media, analogue hardware with digital software, structured narrative with database retrieval, audience theory with interaction models it becomes possible to develop ways and means that these (often opposing) forms can be integrated and used together successfully to demonstrate core principles of both and the progression of connected ideas and concepts.
Rather than create a single work which juxtaposed these issues for a set of particular reasons, e.g. fracturing a narrative, it was decided to create a working system, platform or framework, independent of the content it will show allowing the exhibition of a multitude of open ended cinematic works. This system will employ custom software and hardware and by allowing digital to pass through analogue and back to digital the possibility of introducing noise (the potential for more variability) into the system arises. Employing devices with common principle technologies (e.g. light / infra-red emission and reception) in combination with light sensors will essentially allow each part of the works created with the system to in effect see each other.
Diagram 1: Example video network with two nodes each with its own DVD player, monitor and prototype controller. Example shown is the configuration of Video Network #1: Dialogues. White arrows indicate flow of interaction of system, red arrow indicate viewers gaze.
The purpose of the research.
Video Networks aims to develop an adaptable controller that will allow audio-visual electronic devices to network and communicate with each other. Electronic devices which can output light through a display or interface will convert emitted light to infra-red through the constructed controller triggering devices which have built-in infra-red reception.
Employing this controller in combination with electronic devices such as DVD players, monitors, video cameras, projectors etc. will allow the creation of small area, line of sight networks. Used in various configurations this will allow the possibility to create a diverse set of audio-visual work for installation and performance.
The Video Networks controller and the works created employing the controller have three principle objectives:
- To employ networks for controlled access to and fragmentation of linear audio-visual content to create continually new narratives.
- To develop a controller which allows the possibility of creating automated self-sustaining systems, randomly generating works and connected evolving environments or performances.
- To take advantage of cheap consumer electronics and their common principle technologies (e.g. light / infra-red emission and reception).