The exhibition consisted of three interactive works and ran from September 11, 2009 to January 10, 2010.  Two of the works are collaborations with local artists Beth Karon and Ben Hain.

Time States

Time-States is an exploration and expression of the continuum between “static states” and “dynamic states.”

Traditionally, music is primarily a “time-art” that exists for a moment and then is “gone”… it is an expression existing primarily in a “dynamic state.”  Visual media is traditionally a “space-art” that exists with little dependence on time… it is an expression existing primarily in a “static state.”

The “furniture” aspect of the work was designed to house expressions in each of those time states.   The etched glass section captures a work in “static state.”  The video/audio section takes that work and explores it in a “dynamic state.”  The “furniture” also serves both the static/dynamic in that it houses works for a period of time (static) and then can be used to house different works (dynamic).  This configuration is a collaborative work between Kevin Dobbe and Beth Karon.  

Having seen many creations by local artist Beth Karon throughout the community, my perception was that of a fine artist already exploring motion and time in her media.  She graciously agreed to “take a leap of faith” in collaborating.

Free Wheeling, Original Ink on Photo Paper (2008), by Beth Karon, is the central work on which Time-States is based. (Please see Beth’s description of her work.)  It was “translated” to glass by local artist Kyle Larson.

The video/audio section of the work is interactive.  An image of Free Wheeling changes in real-time relative to the location and motion of the viewer.  Motion will take the image and move it in various states of dimensional-space.  Original music is also created by the viewer’s location and motion. 

Housed in the “furniture” is a computer running a program written using the Max/MSP Jitter language, two video cameras, and a glass-speaker.

The Interactive Installation Display project allows a number of works to be written for portable exhibitions.  The display features a vertically-mounted 42” LCD display on one side and DMX-controlled LED lighted etched-glass display with a glass speaker on the other side.  Built into each side is an integrated video camera built into the cherry frame.

The installation has been displayed at a number of art galleries and is available for traveling arts exhibits.

General Description

1. •Wood Structure of Maple and Cherry
   

2. •Vertically mounted 37” Flat Panel LCD HDTV
   

3. •3/8” x36” etched glass plate with mirror mounted 1” behind
   

4. •LED light strips housed in back panel behind LCD
   

5. •Video camera housed in top wood frame
   

(Internal wire runs to base via frame on both sides)

1. •Glass Speaker attached on bottom of plate glass
   

(Internal wire runs to base)

1. •Central wood pedestal is hollow to allow internal running of all wire
   

2. •Sliding or removable access door to equipment area
   

Display Dimensions

1. •Bottom Equipment Box (30”L x 12”W x 9”H)
   

2. •Pedestal Support Beams
   

3. •One Central (Cherry) (18” x 5”)
   

4. •Six Outer (Maple) 18” x 1.5”)
   

5. •LCD Frame (37”x24” x 7”w)
   

6. •Side Frames are 1.5”w Bottom and Top are 2.5”
   

Electronic Equipment List

1. •Vertically mounted 37” Flat Panel LCD HDTV
   

36 -7/10”w x 23 -7/10”L x 4-1/3”D

1. •Mac Mini (no screen) computer (6.5”x2”)
   

2. •One Solid Drive Glass Speaker (3.5” diameter x 2”)
   

3. •LED Strip lights 3/8”x 1/16” (3M self adhesive tape) (up to 200” long)
   

Strung along back panel separating LCD

1. •LED DMX Controller (7”x2”x1.5”)
   

2. •LED Controller Power Supply (6”x2”)
   

3. •USB DMX converter (6”x3”)
   

4. •Audio Amplifier (TBD)
   

5. •Power Strip with long cord
   

Chronometer-1

(Futuristic-Retro’ism)

2009

Chronometer-1 is a collaborative creation by Kevin Dobbe and Ben Hain.  This interactive media/sculpture explores the idea of function, time, and whimsy.  Inspired by the movie Brazil and by all of the thousands of functional commercial creations that have bizarre functional design.   An example in the auto industry would include creations such as the Buick-“Hole-in-the-Hood”, the Cadillac 1940’s-70’s “fin”… etc.

Why are functional items designed the way they are?  Often the form follows function… often not.  Our goal was to create a functional item, in this case, a time-measuring device, and apply both aspect of form and function in a whimsical manner. 

Often, when a “futuristic product” is released at a particular point in time, it says a great deal about that society at that time.  Looking back upon it from another generation often causes wonder, laughter, and often a re-release of the same idea done as “retro” (witness contemporary toaster designs… “Hey, I had one of those big things back in 1964…”)

Please feel free to touch and explore the work.  Many of the buttons are functional… notice that it does actually display information about the time and date.  The work is interactive in that the screen visuals, lights, and sound change in real-time relative to the location and motion of those using the device. 

Celebrate Motion

2009

Celebrate Motion is the third work being presented at the current “Interactions” exhibition.  This is a work written for stand-alone computer.  Currently, there are over 60 works written for this concept such that a computer can be placed in any environment and house an interactive work for video and sound.  The 2D and 3D images are controlled by the location and motion of those viewing the works.  The programs automatically startup and Shutdown at predetermined times.  The built-in video camera provides input that controls the images and originally composed sounds.  The topics of the works are very diverse, and serve as sketchpads for larger media installations.