Bookends

Research Background Working with interactive technologies entails many complex challenges for artists yet there is little in-situ research of interactive art works (Edmonds, Bilda & Muller 2009). Thus researcher practitioners have begun to prototype their interactive art systems within gallery spaces, as part of visual art exhibitions (Candy & Ferguson 2014). Many well-known interactive artworks use custom-made sensors as the interface between artwork and audience, e.g. Osmose (Davies 1995) uses a motion tracking vest to measure breathing and balance, and Pentimento (Del Favero, 2002) uses a bespoke movement detection system. More recently, interactive artists have begun to use off-the-shelf gaming technologies, such as the Kinect motion-sensing webcam used in Momentum (Schnellebuntebilder 2014), and the Leap Motion hand sensor used in Growth (Aviel, Brownell and Kuzma 2013). Research Significance For the Bookends installation, I investigated the repurposing of an AUUG motion synth for interaction with an animated artwork. The AUUG is an iPod-driven musical instrument and app, released in 2014, and this was its first use in a visual art exhibition. Programming and design innovations included using the AUUG hand-controller to alter the speed, direction, dissolving, colourisation, and sound of the animation. This new interactive system was successful in several ways: it enhanced the dreamlike, immersive quality of the artwork; it was simple enough to be activated by gallery staff every morning; and it was economical as it employed free or low-cost software and hardware. The problem of WiFi network drop-outs during busy periods created by smart phone interference can be remedied in future by the use of a WiFi booster. Research Contribution Bookends was a multidisciplinary art installation for the Melbourne Writers Festival 2014 (20 August - 2 September 2014). See exhibition review: Gorringe-Smith K 2014. 'The 84 Story Gallery', Imprint, Summer, vol 49, no 4, pp 26.