| Interactive Environments | Art and Research | Syllabus |
Myron Krueger , Mine Control
Description
Myron Krueger was a physicist who believed computers had amazing
potential as a tool for the creation of art works, but didn't see any
artists exploiting their interactive potential. In 1969 he worked on
the development of GLOW FLOW, "a computer-controlled light-sound
environment that had limited provision for responding to people..."
Krueger, Artificial Reality 2, Addison Wesley, 1991, p 12 Phospheresent
particles were pumped trhough tubes attached to the walls of a darkened
room in such a way as to distort the visitors perception of the room's
shape. The glowing particles and sounds were triggered by users
standing on sensors placed through the room. From 1970 he started
to experiment with video tracking in search of an unemcumbered, full
body interactive experience, putting together the software and hardware
for what would become the Video Placesystem. On a large
screen the user's silhouette and real time movements are incorporated
into art works that range from a trace of the user's movements
delineated in psychedelic colors to the user's interaction with
"Critter" - a small creature with many autonomous behaviors who cavorts
on their virtual person. Dan Sandin, who went on to became one of the
inventors of the CAVE VR system, believes that computer art must
incorporate either interactive or procedural elements, otherwise its
just art done with computers. Kruger's work illustrates both elements -
it is completed by the actions of the users; it uses algorithmic
procedures to process video imagery and to create computer-controlled
behavior. Other artist have continued to use video tracking in
artificial arguments, although it is arguable that Video Place is still
the best artwork, or series of artworks using this technology. Mine
Control's Shadow Garden is a contemporary example.
Areas of Focus