| contact name | Gemma Shusterman |
| artists' names | Gemma Shusterman |
| artists' locations | Cambridge, USA |
| art name | "3x3" |
| art media | microcontroller, performance, electronics, installation |
| art dimensions | 9'x9' (floor space) |
| art date | December 2004 |
| art description |
3 x 3 looks at the fundamental relationship between audience and performer by putting the audience in the active role as collaborator rather than simply the passive role of observer. The performer becomes a conduit for a structure created by the audience. The audience in turn is given active involvement in creating their own experience and becomes engaged in an exchange with other audience members controlling the course of the performance. |
| art proposal | The installation takes place on a segmented grid. In each of the coordinates, either an object or piece of text exists. When the section is illuminated the performer moves to that space and reacts to the audience's request for performance by interacting with the object or text. The audience may not only control, but is also invited to act as the performer. The performance terminates when a member of the audience chooses an option in which no segment is illuminated. Thus, the lines between game and performance become blurred. The performer has to create an engaging performance in order to participate in that role and the audience members compete with each other for the control of the performer.
The audience surrounds performance space and controls the performance via a cgi web interface. The interface allows the audience member to enter coordinates that map to the performer's space. These coordinates are then sent to a microcontroller responsible for controlling the power supplied to the selected portions of the space using solid state relays. The subsequent performance is then broadcast back to the website via webcam. The performance can be controlled both locally (by direct participants) and remotely through the web. |
| art placard | "3x3" is an interactive performance installation. |
| art url | http:://web.media.mit.edu/~gemma/films/3by3.mov |
| date | Wednesday, February 9, 2005 |
| time | 6:48 PM EST |
| contact affiliation | MIT Media Lab - Computing Culture Group |
| contact address1 | 77 Massachusetts Ave |
| contact address2 | E15-020c |
| contact city | Cambridge |
| contact state | MA |
| contact country | USA |
| contact zip | 02139 |
| contact phone1 | 917.573.6295 |
| contact phone2 | 617.253.5182 |
| contact email | gemma@media.mit.edu |
| art status | Most of it is complete, some finishing needs to be done (light boxes and case for the solid state relays) which I estimate will be completed by the end of Feb. |
| art maintenance | The piece should be unplugged when not attended (at the end of each day). |
| art auto | The solid state relays and microcontroller need to be plugged in. Video feed will need to be started. |
| art sound | This is up to the performer but participants may generate some sound during a performance. |
| art light | The piece works with nine 40 watt bulbs but only one is illuminated at a time. The lighting does not have specific requirements other that the fact that it should be apparent when a bulb is illuminated. |
| art needs | 2-3 tables are needed for installation of computers for controlling the project.
The piece also requires an ethernet connection. |
| art safety | The relays and bulbs will be contained so there will be no risk to the audience. |