Document:Q9962

I am interested in life and its evolution, in the almost magical quality that living things exhibit: an emergent complexity and coherence in their subtle movements and reactions. The illusion of life is very difficult to create, even when the underlying mechanisms are simple. Unless the illusion is particularly convincing, almost anyone can see through it - it seems hardwired into our cognition. I attempt to simulate this living quality in my work and to generate in the viewer a gut sense of recognition, yet also to question and undermine it.
I am also interested in the experience of viewing artwork, and try to explore and subvert a viewer’s expectations: are they seeing the object, or is the object seeing them? In my work I try to create a sudden, destabilizing reaction: is it revulsion, delight, surprise?
When an image reacts to its observer, how does the observer react to the image? How does this interactive dynamic develop? My mirror series explores self-perception, and how we build our own identities, by playing with the vehicles that carry our self-images, within time, and over time.
Mirror Series no. 3: I See(the) You
2006. Installation, including LCD screen, computer, video camera. Artificial life, swarms, into a pattern. The pattern soon emerges: it's the viewers own face.
This is a web demo of an installation work that will be exhibited at the group show:
MOVING IMAGE: Video, Animation and Software Art @ Alonso Art Gallery; October 21 to November 25, 2006; opening reception Saturday, October 21, 7pm to 10pm