The project Superohm is a temporary playground of data streams – a generative installation comprised of a number of anthropomorphic objects with built-in electronic components. The focus of the project is on the creation of connections between different objects in light for the interpretation of signals, intensification of sensorial perception and the generation of a transitory digital-physical playground. Small robotic objects that move across a pre-determined space of the installation affect the audio and visual landscape of the gallery space. Anthropomorphic interfaces that contain different custom made electronic components, like optic sensors, stroboscopic and LED lights, microphones, loudspeakers and a video camera, affect one another while affecting the outgoing signals and creating electronic and digital friction and noisy interferences. While moving, the objects build soundscapes and affect existing topographic imprints of their own world. Tonal and spectral mutations create temporary physical-electronic digital playgrounds through minimal changes of data streams.
One of the key ideas behind the Superohm project and most of the works from the Discreet Events in Noisy Domains series is the concept of the semi-random orchestra, where certain elements are determined while opening the structure of the overall work to random events. Etymology of the word orchestra reveals that in ancient Greece it was used to denote a "dancing place", a space that was located between the auditorium and the proscenium – the stage. Based on this Ancient Greek notion, orchestra in this series is where various semi-autonomous objects "dance", "play", and interact with each other and with the audience. Therefore, "orchestra" is here to be understood as a mode that structures, interprets and makes use of random, interfaced objects – custom made objects as well as everyday, electronic objects modified and incorporated into the pieces. Toy-like "orchestra members" become part of our everyday lives, stepping closer to our attention and senses of not just hearing, but also of touch and sight. The dynamic between analog and digital, soft and hard materials, manual and mechanical production, and automatic and unique actions is the substance of this series where mini-landscapes made of "living orchestra members" produce, sometimes with the help of an audience, vigorous discreet events.
Superohm, Tanja Vujinovic Kapelica Gallery, Ljubljana, 10 October – 21 October 2011
Photo documentation: Jan Kusej; Suncan Stone
Discreet Events in Noisy Domains explores our sensorial perception and understanding of digital toys and everyday electronic gadgets. Superohm, as the 15th study from the cycle D.E.I.N.D., explores that cozy place between our technological toys and us. As a special location that provides a mirror of our emotions, synthetic interfaces crawl into our lives and enable the projection of emotions. These objects as processing units or interfaces complete the circle of our attachment to our environment as it is increasingly filled and shaped by new media gadgets.
Modified toy dogs and other electronic toys are incorporated into newly built objects that move on specially created platforms. They continuously repeat the same movements as they are affected by their surroundings and potential obstacles, and the resulting signals they generate are continuously changing according to the level of light in their surroundings. The video and sound maps they constantly affect are generated in the custom made computer programs that collect the real time data from the "field".
* D.E.I.N.D. - Discreet Events in Noisy Domains
Credits:
Superohm, D.E.I.N.D. * Study#15
Installation (objects, loudspeakers, video projection, custom electronics, computers, live video and sound processing)
Author: Tanja Vujinovic
Production: Ultramono
Executive producer: Jan Kusej
Project support: The Ministry of Culture RS, MOL Cultural Department, Conrad Electronic d.o.o. k.d.
