This event included a talk and screening of digital work from award winning artist Jonathan Armour at Goldsmiths’ state of the art Sonics Immersive Media Labs (SIML). There was a chance to ask questions about Jonathan’s practice, as well an opportunity to test out a new work-in-progress artwork using AR technology.
The talk centred on the digital representation and exploration of the body- where does the ‘person’ exist? Through Transhumanist themes, the digital screening looks at the future of the body, and probes where AR might take us in the near biological/virtual future.
The Digital Arts world seems to propagate the concept of the ‘ideal body’. This series of work represents real people from across the diversity spectrum, and has thus hit the limitations in some software. The talk also touched on some of the challenges faced by contemporary digital creatives, such as the struggle to use mo-cap software to capture the movement of disabled people.
About SIML
The SIML resident technology consists of six 720 dpi projectors which can be configured to provide 360 degree floor to ceiling images and a 12.2 sound system.
“I am fascinated by the concept of Sleeves. These days we have nail bars, tattoo parlours, extension specialists, aesthetics clinics on the high street. There are many minor and major surgical procedures available for body enhancement. There are many developments in the areas of cybernetics. Body-hackers and bio-hackers are doing it themselves. Much of this is driven by our basic desires to live longer and to be able enough to lead a life for longer or to enhance our current level of performance. So if you were given the chance, not just to amend or tweak your existing body, but to change your body in full, would you not consider it? Not to mention situations where your original body no longer works due to death or serious injury.
I would. So contemplate a future where Sleeve Shops, or Body Emporiums are replacing the Aesthetics Clinics. What might they look like? How would you chose your new body? Some of it would be the surface, but what about the body? And does the new sleeve come with aspects of sleeve memory? Maybe there are certain behavioural characteristics which are hard-wired into the sleeve?
OK, so working with the real people who have been kind enough to lend me their sleeves, I have setup an exploratory scenario for you to browse these sleeves in The Armour Studio – which weirdly might be a good name for such a clinic. There are 9 of them, they will come up 3 at a time for a period of 5 minutes. I am the last one.”
