Synoid (1983)

Pure video feedback with no special effects or processing of any kind, although the completed video has a few edits. The patterns were changed by slightly adjusting the camera aperture and focus.

The audio was created with various analog synthesizers configured to produce oscillating sequences and were not modified or altered during recording.

Both video and audio were created at The School Of The Art Institute Of Chicago and are examples of self-generating systems. This work explores the nature of the media and allows me to become audience to my own work.

New digitally remastered audio.

A bit of history:

I began experimenting with video feedback in high school using black and white 1/2-inch reel-to-reel equipment in 1973, then began creating serious art works in college.

By 1979 I had configured a way to apply Eno's audio loop system, diagrammed on the back cover of the album "Discreet Music" (1975), to video which was much more difficult, because video requires a sync signal to mix images. (See my video art page at http://siys1.fortunecity.com/videoart.html for more information.)

These works consisted of performance art pieces where the camera was always outside the frame of the monitor and video art works where the camera was inside the frame of the monitor.

1979 was also the year I made the transition from black and white to color video feedback.

By graduate school I was incorporating the Sandin Image Processor to colorize and affect the video and mirrors to create kaleidoscopic imagery.

Synoid is the results of countless hours of perfecting the purest form of color video feedback with just camera and monitor to create flawless organic oscillating forms.

Soon, video technology began to evolve and when CCD cameras began replacing tube cameras, the feedback effects weren't as good.

I love the evolution of technology and the digital age, but there are certain aspects of video (and synthesizers) that was never the same after digital replaced analog.

At the ACM Siggraph 1983 Conference where I was a part of the tech crew. I was showing the work Synoid when several pioneers of video synthesis and computer art, insisted Synoid was generated with a computer because there was no way to get images of that caliber with straight video feedback. I don't know if I ever convinced them I was telling the truth!

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• video
• feedback
• video feedback
• video art
• art
• experimental
• emu
• yamaha
• korg
• analog
• synthesizer
• stevo in yr studio
• stevo wolfson
• pupaum
• saic
• art institute of chicago
• chicago

[siys]

Honestly, this was done so long ago I am unable to state what the actual model of the camera was and can only conclusively state it was a Sony. It there are online listings of Sony video cameras from around 1981-1983 you would be in the ballpark.

[foreverMidi]

great

[angiec789]

dude.. wat

[kanude]

Love it.

[atwaterpub]

Beautifully done.

[jfordyce]

this is dope.

[Keyframe3D]

Dude, this is some serious stuff - so hypnotic and wonderful! Thanks for sharing this.

[nnnoidea]

i've never gotten my hands on a tube camera to really play with, only CCDs....this is VERY nice!

this is one of the bet single camera results i've ever seen, myself, and i've done an awful lot of feedback over the years (even taught a class on it for a local school).

did you ever try mixing multiple cameras simultaneously? the results can be extremely interesting, too....

[Worshiptheplastic]

One of the nicest I've seen, very beautiful and hypnotic..

What camera did you use for this one?