Artist Statement

The authors developed an interactive audio-visual installation utilizing two cameras and one projector connected to one personal computer. The visual output is projected on the rear projection screen visible from both front and rear sides. The idea of the concept is inspired from an imaginary drug named Merge in a science fiction entitled Wetware written by Rudy Rucker1. This drug temporarily liquidizes the taker’s body, which causes a type of tripping experience by mixing bodies of a couple of lovers. When two visitors come to the opposite sides of the screen each other, the images of their bodies start scattering and mixing. The dynamic moving image rendered by a visualization technique continues one or two minutes, and then it gradually comes back to the normal figures as the final stage. The system starts waiting for new visitors again after the visitors left. These processes are realized by a combination of two types of swarm simulation developed in the researches of Artificial Life; ANT algorithm for detecting the visitors’ image, and BOIDS for generating the deformed image.
This installation provides a virtual experience for visitors as if their bodies are liquidized and mixed. Each individual person is an entity physically separated from the others, but we sometimes feel spiritual connection with lovers, friends, family members, and so on. As closer physical contacts cause the deeper connections, it is possible to imagine that it would be more effective if we could physically mix our melted bodies with of the others. Human relation is one of the most important aspects to measure happiness of people. It is somewhat difficult but might be ideal to have as many peaceful relations as possible, rather than conflict or separation. Swarm simulation is an effective technique to provide the visitors feelings that the flowing materials would be living.
The authors are hoping people merge each other more, not only in a private relation like lovers, but also with people from difference social backgrounds, to change the world where disruption and violence are rampant now.

• Tatuo Unemi, Department of Information Systems Science, Soka University, Tokyo, Japan. Tatsuo Unemi graduated from Department of Control Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology in 1978, received Master’s degree from Department of System Sciences in 1980, and Doctor’s degree in 1994 from the same university. He worked as a research associate from 1981 to 1987 at Tokyo Institute of Technology, as an assistant professor at Nagaoka University of Technology, as an assistant professor at Soka University from 1992, as an associate professor from 1995, and then the current position from 2012. Since 2003, he has worked with Swiss-based artist, Daniel Bisig, for new-media art projects. Their works have been exhibited and demonstrated in international events related to new-media arts, such as ARCO 2007 in Madrid, 10th Japan Media Art Festival in Tokyo, Art Escapes 2007 in Valencia, SIGGRAPH 2009 in New Orleans, ISEA2010 in Dortmund, WRO 2011 in Wrocław. intlab.soka.ac.jp/~unemi
• Daniel Bisig, Institute for Computer Music and Sound Technology, Zurich University of the Arts, Zürich, Switzerland. bitingbit.org