In this essay, I will talk about the 5 principles of Interactive Media that was mentioned in “A Review of the Language of New Media” by Bradley Dinger’s, followed by my thoughts on them and how some of these 5 principles can be applied to my group project “Confessions”. This is to have a better understanding of Interactive Media art/new media and how it also relates to the process and the work my group is doing.
The 5 principles that were talked about are:
- Numerical Representation
- Modularity
- Automation
- Variability
- Transcoding
Numerical Representation
What I understood of numerical representation in the reading, is that it is composed of digital code hence a numerical form — altogether a new form of art. And behind achieving this new media art, there needs to be a conversion of continuous data. To simply put, using the translation of code to create a new media art. That is called digitalisation — consisting of sampling and quantization. Data is first sampled normally at regular intervals and then each sample is quantified. I see this ‘numerical representation’ being applied when our group does a bunch of coding 1) to create a space for participants to type out their thoughts 2) and also having those thoughts displayed on the screen by having another computer reading the input. Behind all this, we break it down to the sampling and quantization which I feel is similar to how the variables we put in Arduino’s Loop function is run through multiple times per second and translated depending on how we code it.
Modularity
Modularity is the fractal structure of new media, explaining that each element or even the unit that an artwork comprises in new media can be edited without affecting the essence of the artwork. It will still maintain it’s identity and independence. In contrast with traditional media, the parts of an artwork on new media, for example, an image ungrouped in Photoshop, can be accidentally deleted but not rendering the entire artwork meaningless as they can be substituted with a click of a button.
Now linking this to my group’s project, the first aspect is 1) the words displayed can be easily edited, similarly to the aesthetics of it (the background behind the words, how the words could be shot down, etc). Depending on what we code, we can change all that. And that is only the programming aspect of our project. The physical part involves the changing up of aesthetics in the two rooms we are using and doing so without affecting the code. However, when it comes to the coding aspect, I can’t help but question whether it could be debatable because when one takes out or forgets a simple instruction such as “function” or “delay(1000)”, the whole new media artwork is a mess and sometimes it doesn’t even function.
To me, that’s counted as a meaningless work if changing little things like that is a problem to create a work that keeps it going (perhaps example a moving dog prototype). But maybe the whole point of this is to tell us that with new media, anything is possible with the fact that it could be edited very easily and any mistake done, can be undone.
Automation
Automation comprises of the first two principles mentioned above. It is simply the idea of an artwork being able to run by itself. A complex computer program can automatically generate 3D objects such as trees, landscapes and humans. This is seen in some Hollywood films that use Artificial Life software and we see that in movies such as Black Panther’s Afrofuturistic society and Wakanda setting (seen below).
Automation is applied to my group’s project where the code will constantly and automatically check whether there is input in the forms of messages from the participant and when there is an input, this message will be displayed.
Variability (EDITED)
New media is characterized by variability. Here we learn that a new media object can be in many different structures and it can have one or more interface to a multimedia database. This can be seen in Hypermedia structure where it specifies a set of navigation paths (connections between nodes) that potentially can be applied to any set of media objects. Another is such as a Crowd-sourcing artwork. Example: a world clock updating every minute with pictures of numbers found in environments, being uploaded by people from around the world. It is always different in different instances as it involves input from the audience to function as an artwork. Therefore in my group’s project, the artwork is constantly changing as the outcome changes depending on participant’s decision to destroy the words they have typed out and shown on screen, or they choose not to but somebody else might do it.
Transcoding (EDITED)
Transcoding is crucial in an interactive artwork (at least, to me it is). To transcode something is to translate it into another format and this can sometimes stimulate the audience’s minds, to think and reflect. Here, “cultural layer” of transcoding tells us that the audience has a new perspective on the topic of the artwork as it is being represented with technology as its medium. An example would be the creation and usage of VR (visual reality) in Sony PlayStation games so that it allows gamer(s) to have an immersive experience by having a simulated environment.
Now, this is where we see that the cultural aspect of an environment in reality, is translated into the computer aspect, seen in the simulated environment where the environment in VR looks like a replica of the environment in reality. Hence through transcoding, in the computer level, we are also able to manipulate the environment, wherein real life you can’t do so.
My group is transcoding the interstice of thoughts and representing it as space through the use of a computer, that can be interacted with. Relating back to this project under the theme of “Interstice”, everyone in the class is transcoding a form of interstice, just in different ways and each one of us as audience experience something new from each group work as well.
In conclusion, with the use of technology, it changes our work by making it a “larger” thing, amplifying the thoughts, more than what it simply is and putting it out there for everyone to see.