Abstract

The EIDEA project evolved out of the movement sensing research conducted at Arizona State University’s Institute for Studies in the Arts. Described is a system that combines the emergent phenomena associated with artificial life and real-time local weather input to create an autonomous interactive installation. A multi-channel sound environment provides a direct link between the movement of the life forms in the artificial world and current local weather information. A visual mural is produced by the artificial life world representing a composite of the creatures movements and interactions. Current plans will link these elements enabling the viewer to interact directly with the aural and visual elements of the work.

The EIDEA installation is created to explore emergent phenomena commonly associated with artificial life systems by means of an interactive sound and image installation. The work occupies a space of approximately 20 feet square, completely enclosing viewers. It is possible to visually navigate through the artificial world and its associated soundscape or choose to “travel” through a three dimensional image of life form paths that trace the movement history of the cyber-entities over time. The A-life aspect of the work is created to explore the possible interactions between life forms in the artificial world and between external influences such as local weather and viewers. The local weather has a subtle influence on the life forms, affecting their on-going life processes, while current plans allow for the viewers to navigate through this artificial world by means of a movement-sensing system designed by Lovell and Mitchell. The life forms can be sensitized to the viewers presence, and ultimately fashion a response to the presence of people in their world. The work will be described in its four parts; the artificial life world itself, the sound generation mechanism, the weather station, and the role of the viewers or interactors.

• John D. Mitchell is a Resident Artist Fellow with the Institute for Studies in the Arts of Arizona State University, USA, he is a composer and performer concentrating on creating performance works with artists from diverse disciplines.
• Robb E. Lovell. An artist technologist with the Institute For Studies in the Arts,of Arizona State University, USA, he has a MS in Computer Sciences and is an accomplished modern dancer. His research interests are in Interactive Stage Environments, autonomous machines and artificial life.

Full text p.196-200