Identity: Representations through Media

“Identity: Representations Through Media” is a interactive art display that will allow individuals to see the different interpretations of their identities undergoing spacial changes through a journey.

This proposal comprises of the documentation for the initial half of the project. Through the approach of a creative proposal, the individual concept and desired visual presentation of each identity will be presented as a handout.

Overview:

This installation will explore the interesting representations of identity within varying forms of spaces. It uses the physical presence of individuals as the event catalyst for each segment in the installation. On a more abstract point of view, I wish to address the idea of how personal identity take on differing interpretations and forms.

Concept:

The idea of this project derived evoked from my thoughts on how individuals identify each other, more often than not, through outer appearances. I sought to present alternative ways of representations of an identity through various medias which can be adopted to present an individual other than physical appearances. What makes up an identity, for sure, it is more than physique attributes, sounds, colors and forms, are cues that can be adopted as representations.

The medium:

The height of the card will be similar to that of an identity card, to serve the purpose of portability, storage convenience.

There is a desired dual form of interactivity in this project, interaction through of an individual with technology, and interaction between two individuals. As a handout, there is an intimate form of interaction between the giver (me) and the receiver. Through this interaction, the receiver will be presented with alternatives to my identity, and not just mere physical identification. The interpretations of my identity through various medias, represent the interaction between an individual and technology.

The Layout:

The concept behind this representation.

Process of transforming one identity to the alternative representation through various medias.

Individual Space

MAX/MSP will be used to process the ‘live’ input of the user against a chroma-keyed white wall panel. The input will be converted to a plain silhouette. The database then processes a list of words for each individual’s selection which he or she can best affiliates to. The computer then fills the silhouette with the words against a background of the other words available in the database.

Social Space

MAX/MSP will place the users’ images saved into a database that will be layered one atop another in sequence of the time they were captured. The result might be something unrecognizable as the number of individuals increases, become an entirely different form of aesthetics. This composite interpretation of identity explores how individuals represent themselves where various individuals need to coexist and assimilate into one society.

Color Space

The ‘live’ input of each individual in this space will be computed and broken down into RGB values that will be placed onto the display screen, as a representational form of his or her identity in the realm of colors. The layers will also overlap to form other colors within the intercepted spaces.

Fantasy Space Representation

Each individual creates an avatar from a database of facial features which they hope to represent their individual identity.

Virtual Space

The ‘live’ input of each individual in this space will be computed and broken down into binaries that will be displayed real-time onto the display screen. This representation is how a CPU identifies each individual.

Waveform Space

PixelDJ, a self-written MAX/MSP patch will process the digital image taken by the user at the entrance of the installation into a waveform that will playback a synthesized ambient music while displaying the representation of his identity as a waveform on screen.

References

1. DYNAMICS OF HUMAN IDENTITY by Vladimir Dimitrov and Kalevi Kopra
2. DIGITAL EASEL by David Rozin
3. PRAJNAPARAMITA by Jim Supangkat
4. A STAR IS BORN by Mariko Mori
5. TEXTPORTRAIT by RALPH UELTZHOEFFER
6. www.TAV.org.sg by The Artist Village

Final layout of the “identity” cards.

The height of the cards will be similar to the standard credit card or identity card dimension.

This is the front cover [included are the project concepts and title].

Above are the 6 layouts that will be printed duplex with the front cover. On the left grid, are references to how I have conceptualized each representation type and on the right grid, shows the transformation from a physical identity to one that is represented through media forms.

Update: Site Space and Technical Setup

First look at the book design.

In the layout, the left page describes the theme and concept behind the purpose of the defined space. While the right page displays the result document and the process or thoughts behind it. Below are some samples of the drafts.

From Posters to Book

My final submission for INT360 will be a book, documenting the various forms of identity representation through various space forms. Why a book? Firstly, a book is a good way for me to document the various representation of my identity through different spaces, and secondly, the act of me passing on the book to another person, is an intimate means of interaction, similar to vocal or gestural interaction, that allows the other to understand and know about my identity.

This book will also be released as a handout on the actual installation site, after individuals have made their way through the “journey” and understand the purposes of the various representations.

New Concept for Project

A Gallery of Posters, the different interpretations of the “Last Supper” through different medias.

- What is presented here is my interpretation of the “Last Supper” through the differentiating of 13 other interpretations of the words “Last Supper”

- Here, we see a WWW representation of the “Last Supper”

- I surveyed a number of people. While some people interpret the “Last Supper” as the story, others relate it to Leonardo’s painting.

- How a “Last Supper” can be interpreted, as values of colors.

Test: Layered Color Sheet Projection

Did not work as well as I thought it would. Overlooked too many aspects of light angle projection and refraction. And the intensity of the light and the distance. Used a 3W high output LED, and hand cut shapes from red, blue and yelow transparencies onto clear sheets. Here are the samples.

Technical and Space layout

Projection on the wall is a montage of the seperate layers (or the individuals of the gallery)

Gallery Build up

The projection installation will consist of 4 layers (illustrated below) :

“Last Supper in Pop Art”

Between the positive and negative spaces, the study of lines and forms.

Art movements, the study of colors and light.

The Story of “Last Supper”

The Basis of all similar themed paintings.

Forgotten Commandment… An imagery should not be associated to a religion..

Forgotten commandments..

The forgotten commandments… Finally! I have finally finally found it!!… the commandments which is exactly the basis of my inspiration for this installation art.

The lists known as the Ten Commandments are given in passages in two books of the Bible: Exodus 20:2–17, Exodus 34:11–27 and Deuteronomy 5:6–21

“2 I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery;

3 Do not have any other gods before me.

4 You shall not make for yourself an idol, whether in the form of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.

5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, punishing children for the iniquity of parents, to the third and the fourth generation of those who reject me,”

- Exodus 20:2–17