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Media Files
Abstract
The Virtual Reality installation »Home of the Brain« transfers the concept of the Stoa or the museum as public spaces for meetings and discussions into a virtual networked environment.
With the aid of a data glove and data visor, the user enters a digital space where four media theorists are presenting their controversial ideas about the future of our media culture. Theses of Vilèm Flusser, Pau Virilio, Joseph Weizenbaum and Marvin Minsky are implemented in the computer's memory. »Do we need that? Why do we need it?«. Weizenbaum's warnings against the power of the computer and the impotence of reason wrap themselves around his »House of Hope«. In Virilio's »House of Disaster«, the »racing standstill« is tested under trees falling as if in slow motion. Flusser's »House of Adventure« shows his vision of flowing space: »I dream of a house with walls that can be changed at any time, of a world whose structure is no more than an expression of my ideas«. In Minsky's »House of Utopia«, a crystalline object, future computer generations are discussed »which are so intelligent that we can be pleased if they keep us as pets«. Drawing on the Platonic interpretation of the basic bodies, their forms and colours combine to form symbolic commentaries on the worlds of thought. Alongside the symbolic organisation, the forms and colours provide orientation in the virtual space. The observer navigates through the latter with the movements of his hand. Pointing a finger brings him to the foot of the cube or allows him a bird's eye view. Movements of the head and hand result in unusual points of view and changes in scale.
The Home of the Brain has anticipated paradigms that today are at the very heart of discussions relating to media communication. They include the organisation of information, information linking and interacting with virtual space and telepresence.
Home of the Brain was awarded with the Golden Nica of Ars Electronica in 1992.
Artists / Authors
- Monika Fleischmann, Research Artist › Biography
- Wolfgang Strauss, Research Artist › Biography
Cooperators
- Dirk Lüsebrink, Programming, Art+Com
- Henrik Tramberend, Software
- Uli Weinberg, Animation
Origination
Germany, 1990-1992
Partners / Sponsors
Berkom, Berlin
Submission
Redaktion netzspannung.org, Sep 21, 2001
Category
- artistic production
Keywords
- Topics:
- public space |
- interactivity |
- knowledge spaces |
- architecture
- Formats:
- virtual environment
Additions to Keyword List
- VR-Software & Hardware |
- Interaktive Medienkunst |
- vernetzt