RESIDENT

A virtual being, created through virtual reality technology, is enclosed in a container reminiscent of an incubator or a sarcophagus. It responds to human speech with movement, sounds and shape changes. It may be observed through a narrow visor with a microphone mounted below, to catch the spectator's voice.

RESIDENT refers to myths and legends about the creation of artificial life-forms. Its construction is inspired by alchemical processes. The creature's appearance and behavior have a precise numerical definition (key numbers are one, two, four and seven). It is presented as an immaterial luminous field (analogous to astral bodies or auras). The fact that we can perceive it sensorily does not verify its real existence - it is a mere phantom, provoking questions about the relationship between reality and illusion.

Prizes:
Ars Electronica '96: Honorary Mention (Interactive Arts)

Exhibition history:
Orbis Fictus, National Gallery, Prague, 1995
Laterne Magique, La Laiterie, Strassbourg, 1998
Enter Multimediale, Prague, 2000
Laboratory of Contemporary Art, National Gallery, Prague, 2000 - 2002

Number of existing clones: 2

Installation view:
Scheme image

Hardware (installation):
SGI O2, MIPS R5000 180 MHz, 256 MB RAM, 2 GB HDD, video board, system camera

Software (installation):
IRIX 6.3, Performer 2.0, custom software

Realization team:
Milan Gustar
Petr Hejda
Milan Gustar
Petr Hejda
Pavel Rejholec
Jan Stehlik
Petr Svarovsky


Thanks to:
Alias, A|W Graph, Prosolvia Clarus Inc., Expert Service s.r.o., MultiGen Inc., SGI for sponzoring
SCCA Prague for support

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Resident
• Silver
• Petr Svarovsky
• Pavel Rejholec
• Milan Gustar
• Jan Stehlik
• Petr Hejda
• new media
• art
• virtual reality
• voice control
• Ars Electronica