demonstrations

What is interesting about “demonstrate” is that it feels a bit invasive. When we contemplate the possibility of have a camera tracking our motions through a public space for anyone on the internet to see and photograph, we typically react negatively. As Sean pointed out, if such cameras were to proliferate so that we could almost expect to be on one in any large public space, there would most likely be an outcry of public backlash. What is interesting is that “demonstrate” particularly invokes in us this feeling when in fact, to the extent that camera systems like the one in the piece can track and photograph us in public, we could easily be documented by anyone to an even greater extent with out our knowledge. In effect, a network of human beings bearing cameras, cameraphones, and voice recorders are as threatening to our privacy in public as any system of cameras could be. In the end, the aesthetics of “demonstrate” revolve around the fact that it only seems invasive when in comparison it really isn’t.

Something completely different: “Is it possible to practice image making by exploring all of image-space using a computer rather than by recording from the world around us?” This quote comes from John Simon’s artist’s statement about his piece “Every Icon.” First of all, if it is possible, Simon’s piece is not going to be a very efficient way to go about it. Its astronomical proportions make it a not-useful way of systematically generating imagery. Secondly, Simon’s interesting idea of exploring “image-space” doesn’t seem to really need a computer. We process all visual signals as unique snowflakes and readout on a computer screen is no different from the already infinite variety of images we find elsewhere. Computer’s could potentially be used to create a kind of navigable “image-space” which would be very interesting (four dimensional? Probably not.) but not until we can conquer astronomical figures.