OBSERVER: OBSERVED
2017
Interactive Light Installation/Lifestream projection
(The video is a form of documentation only)
Projector connected to camcorder on plinth
READ process in detail @ http://alysheamo.myblog.arts.ac.uk/
This interactive piece plays around with the feedback result of connecting a camcorder to a projector to create a live-stream projection of any viewer who stands in front of the light. This work was my take on portraying that liminal position of playing both the role of the observer and the observed. What I enjoyed from the result was that is was a playful yet almost frustrating manoeuvre of trying to see your own image but not fully being allowed to. Viewers end up watching the projection of their own image and shadow interact (embodying the roles of both observer and observed).
READ process in detail @ http://alysheamo.myblog.arts.ac.uk/
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I spent a few weeks undergoing a series of very introspective observations and documentation of my habits– watching myself eat, logging down my sleep routine, how many times I would wash my hands etc. It was absurd to be constantly keeping an eye on myself– like a subconscious eye or a very active periphery.
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I knew I wanted to create something that disallows the viewer to watch themselves directly. I started working around understanding the mechanics of webcams, mirrors and CCTVs. It was a natural progression from the methods that I used to record and film myself during my self-observation period. I think that the lens or the webcam itself, serves as a sort of symbol of watching, watchers, watch-ee. I knew I wanted something to do with reflections, shadows and an obstruction between a clear line of vision to the viewer’s own self.
Eventually, I decided to connect a webcam to a projector. So, whatever is placed in front of the webcam is immediately projected but by standing in front of the projector, the image is immediately blocked, a shadow is created. However, if the webcam is titled at an angle, in theory, the image projected would follow the shadow that moves (shadow created by the person standing in front of the projector’s light source).
Some references:
Douglas Gordons “A Divided Self I and A Divided Self II” (1996)
Daniel Rozin’s Interactive “mirrors”
Ryoji Ikea’s Test Pattern