Prof. Paul Sermon - RAE 2008 Returnable Research Outputs
Creative Technology Research Group, Art & Design, The University of Salford

Output 3: Telematic Dreaming 05

Project Links:

http://www.aec.at/en/global/press_detail.asp?iPressID=124&iAreaID=2 (Ars Electronica in Taiwan)

http://www.tmoa.gov.tw/english/b/b01_1.php?id=209&types=0&m1=0&m2=2&m3=0 (National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts: Climax)

http://www.aec.at/nyc/ (Ars Electronica: Digital Avant-Garde)

http://www.eyebeam.org/engage/engage.php?page=exhibitions&id=10 (Eyebeam Gallery New York: Prix Selection)

Telematic Dreaming 05 was one of seven interactive installations presented at The National Taiwan Museum of Fine Arts in Taichung from July 2nd to August 24th 2005, for “Climax: The Highlights of Ars Electronica - 25 Years". This installation was a major reworking of an earlier work that was site-specifically researched and developed during the installation period involving the creation of interactive video sequences with recording and post production taking place in Taichung.

This is an installation that exists within the ISDN digital telephone network. Two separate ‘bed’ interfaces are located in separate locations, these interfaces in themselves are dynamic installations that function as customized video-conferencing systems. What was initially a very experimental piece of performance ended up creating an acute shift of senses - the sense of sight exchanged with the sense of touch, allowing the user/viewer to touch with their eyes within a shared telepresent environment. Telematic Dreaming 05 encountered a means of extending the body beyond the screen to a distant simulation of it. The ‘other’ body at a distance - being no less of a simulation than the carbon original. The physical movements of the carbon body were talking place locally whilst its cause and effects were talking place remotely, simply extending the sensory inputs from the cognitive process.

“Climax: The Highlights of Ars Electronica" was preceded by a further exhibition commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Ars Electronica Festival and the Prix Ars Electronica Linz, at the Eyebeam Gallery New York from May to Aug 2004, which featured an earlier work by Paul Sermon, Think about the people now - a Commodore Amiga interactive computer work, based on the theme of a media reported event from the Remembrance Ceremony in Whitehall, London, which was awarded the Prix Ars Electronica Golden Nica.