Technology Requirements

◦ How does each technology work to convey your concept?

My piece has a very specific set of technological requirements, each supporting my work’s theme of surveillance and the transition towards a post-human society. I am using iPads and Arduino Micro-Controllers equipped with USB keyboard shields to create iPad connectivity. The iPads themselves should be equipped with a camera already, however if they are original iPads I will need to attach a camera to one or all of the video installation pieces. The video pieces themselves will require the use of both digital and analog film technology, as this will best display the transition from human to trans-human; this pairing is important, since my piece explores the nature of narrative and the evolution of society through surveillance and digital connectivity.

◦ Why are they necessary and what effects will they create?

The nature of the hardware I will use will not directly reflect the nature of the information that my piece will display, rather it will act more as a metaphor. I intend to create an enclosure to hide all of the internal components. I do not intend for anyone from the audience to have any idea that the displays are iPads, as they will be used solely for convenience and its simplicity—however, this ease of use is mimicking humanity’s likely progression towards trans-humanism. I am using video as my primary means to deliver my message; its place in history as the most common form of information dissemination is undeniable. The context of my video is a mixture of Closed Circuit Surveillance Footage and News footage. In conjunction with the Narrative created to inform the gallery space, the pieces will appear to be slightly malfunctioning video screens in order to appear as if the information is accidentally filtering in from the outside.


◦ What are your strengths and weaknesses in working with the above mentioned technologies.

I am a proficient filmmaker; I have always used video as an aspect of my artistic practice. The programming for this project will be done using the Arduino, which is a language we have been using since first year and I have become fairly proficient with. The other half of the programming will be done in HTML, a language I have been using for many years. This is not to say I don’t have any weaknesses, rather I chose to highlight my talents when designing my portion of the project.

◦ Which technologies are you comfortable with?

I am comfortable with almost anything I can get my hands on. I am not the world’s most proficient programmer but with the aid of the Internet and friends anything is possible. My video piece is in collaboration with Lucas Thurston and Steven Wright. I will be working with Lucas to help record and produce his music; and both Lucas and Steven will be involved in the production of my video pieces and I will help Steve construct the installation space in the gallery. As such, we will all be working primarily to our strengths, while also working within each other’s chosen mediums.

◦ Which do you need to learn still? Describe your strategy in

I have been working on this project for three years, during which time it has evolved many times. Taking this much time to flush out my idea—to explore other concepts and then in the end let them go—has enabled me to tailor this project to highlight what I do best; the same is true for Steve and Lucas. There are always challenges yet to be discovered and we will meet those challenges with fervent dedication. We are able to be this confident given that our skills are quite different, allowing for a breadth of knowledge to be utilized; we felt this was the most creative and useful way to both surpass and learn from potential shortcomings.