[ISEA2009] Artists Statement: Alexa Wright, Alfred Linney & Zhuoran Wang – Conversation Piece, 2008

Artists Statement

Interactive sound installation using speech recognition; synthesised speech; concealed microphone arrays; focused directional sound and motion tracking.

Conversation Piece is an interactive computer installation that mimics social relations with human users. In the installation a disembodied synthesised voice tries to engage individual audience members in dialogue. Each interaction is focused around a small sculpture displayed on an exhibition plinth. People entering the space are automatically tracked using webcams positioned overhead. When someone moves past one of the sculptures the disembodied voice of ‘Heather’ tries to catch his or her attention by saying ‘Hello’, or ‘Excuse me’. As an individual approaches one of the sculptures ‘Heather’ will try to engage that person in conversation.  ucl.ac.uk/conversation-piece

  • Alexa Wright (UK): visual artist who has collaborated with numerous medical scientists. alexawright.com
  • Alfred Linney, Centre for Auditory Research, University College London, UK
  • Zhuoran Wang

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