Ephemeral Traces (ongoing project)

 

Description:

This project explores the temporal nature of photography and the transformation of the white wall into a dynamic canvas. By manipulating the scanning process, the artist creates visual "timelines" that represent the dilation and contraction of time in image capture.


Process:

Using a scanner as an artistic tool, the artist intervenes in the capture process, manipulating the movement of the sensor to generate temporal distortions. Everyday objects are scanned at different speeds, resulting in images that stretch, compress, or fragment in time.

These "timelines" are then projected in real-time onto the white wall, creating an immersive visual experience. Accompanied by a carefully selected soundtrack, the projection invites the viewer to contemplate the fluidity of time and its relationship to visual perception.


Performance:

The project takes the form of a performance that integrates the artist's actions, technology, and viewer participation. During the performance, the artist manipulates the scanner and projection software, creating and manipulating the timelines in real-time. The soundtrack complements the experience, intensifying the viewer's immersion in the work.

 

Objective:

The project aims to:

  • Explore the expressive possibilities of the scanner as an artistic tool.
  • Question the traditional notion of time in photography.
  • Create an immersive aesthetic experience that invites the viewer to reflect on the ephemeral nature of time and its perception.
  • Promote interaction between art, technology, and the viewer.


Observations:

  • The selection of objects to be scanned can vary according to the concept of the work and the artist's intention.
  • The soundtrack should be carefully chosen to complement the visual experience and create the desired atmosphere.
  • Viewer interaction can be encouraged through different strategies, such as the possibility of contributing objects to be scanned or participating in the creation of the soundtrack.

This project offers an innovative approach to photography and digital art, exploring the creative possibilities of technology and inviting the viewer to participate in a unique aesthetic experience.

 

Techinical Stuff


Duration:

The performance can be adapted to different contexts and durations, ranging from 15 minutes to 1 hour.


Elements:

  • Scanner
  • Everyday objects
  • Computer
  • Projector
  • White wall
  • Soundtrack

 

Reference Guide



Books on the relationship between time and photography:

  • Roland Barthes, Camera Lucida: Reflections on Photography (1980): A fundamental work that explores the nature of photography and its relationship with memory and death, concepts closely linked to the passage of time.
  • John Berger, Ways of Seeing (1972): Analyzes how images are perceived and interpreted, questioning visual conventions and the influence of time on our reading of images.
  • Susan Sontag, On Photography (1977): Discusses the impact of photography on society and our relationship with the world, addressing issues such as the representation of time and reality.
 

Books on art and technology:

  • Marshall McLuhan, Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man (1964): A classic work that examines the influence of technology on culture and human perception, relevant to the use of the scanner as an artistic tool.
  • Lev Manovich, The Language of New Media (2001): Analyzes the characteristics of digital art and the new forms of expression made possible by technology, including the manipulation of time and space.
  • Roy Ascott, Telematic Embrace: Visionary Theories of Art, Technology, and Consciousness (2003): Explores the interaction between art, technology, and consciousness, addressing concepts such as telepresence and interactive art, relevant to the proposed performance.
 

Books on performance and contemporary art:

  • RoseLee Goldberg, Performance Art: From Futurism to the Present (2011): An overview of the history of performance art, with examples of artists who explored time, the body, and interaction with the audience.
  • Peggy Phelan, Unmarked: The Politics of Performance (1993): Discusses the ephemeral nature of performance and its relationship to memory, the body, and identity.
  • Claire Bishop, Artificial Hells: Participatory Art and the Politics of Spectatorship (2012): Analyzes participatory art and the role of the audience in the aesthetic experience, relevant issues for the interaction proposed in the project.
 

Articles and online publications:

  • "The Aesthetics of Disappearance: Ephemerality in Contemporary Art" by Nicolas Bourriaud: Addresses the aesthetics of the ephemeral in contemporary art, discussing the valorization of the transitory and the unstable.
  • "Time-Based Media Conservation" by The Tate: Resources and articles on the conservation of works of art that use time as a central element, including performances and installations.
 

Artists who explore related themes:

  • Bill Viola: An artist who uses video to explore themes such as time, perception, and spirituality.
  • Nam June Paik: A pioneer of video art who explored the possibilities of technology in artistic creation.
  • Gary Hill: An artist who works with video and installations, investigating the relationship between language, image, and technology.