Intimate Transactions is an exciting new form of interactive installation that allows two people in separate spaces to interact simultaneously using their bodies. Each participant uses a physical interface called a ‘Bodyshelf’. By gently moving their bodies on this ‘smart furniture’ they instigate Intimate Transactions, which influence an evolving ‘world’ created from digital imagery, multichannel sound and tactile feedback.As this highly immersive experience evolves, each participant begins to sense their part in a complex web of relations that connect them — and everything else — within the work. In this way a subtle, indirect form of collaboration develops via an increasing sense of intimacy between sites. Intimate Transactions creates an experience based upon ideas of extending human subjectivity through developing a sense of intimacy with creatures very different to oneself. Participants act as catalysts or multipliers within the space. One of the key rationales is that through this experience participants will begin to understand the effects they are having on this simplified ecology and hence choose to shift their actions accordingly.
Intimate Transactions has been awarded a Visions of Australia Touring grant (2008-09) and was presented in Beijing, China during the 2008 Olympics as part of 'China International New Media Arts 2008' at the National Art Museum of China.
THE TRANSMUTE COLLECTIVE <www.embodiedmedia.com> are:
Dr Keith Armstrong: Artistic Director/New Media Image
Lisa O’Neill: Choreography/Interaction
Guy Webster: Interactive Sound Design and Composition
KEY COLLABORATORS working with Transmute:
Zeljko Markov: Bodyshelf Designer
Marcos Caceres: Lead System Designer
Cameron Owen: Lead System Designer
Stuart Lawson: 3D Artist
Steve Curran/Upside Solutions: Bodyshelf Industrial Design
Glen Wetherall: Hacker
Gavin Sade: Audio Interaction
Benedict Foley: Graphic Design
Megan McKenzie: Website
Benn Woods: Max Programming
Dow Airen: Electronics
TACTILE FEEDBACK DESIGN TEAM
[Spatial Information Architecture Laboratory <www.sial.rmit.edu.au/> RMIT University]
Pia Ednie-Brown: Direction
Inger Mewburn: Co-direction
Naomi Raggatt: Textile Design
Guy Webster: Soundtrack Design
Nicholas Murray/Boo Chapple: Sonic Design
Michael Mewburn: Electronics
PROJECT CONSULTANTS/ADVISORS
Dr. Elizabeth Baker: Sustainability Scientist, Lismore, Australia
Tess de Quincey: Bodyweather Practitioner, Sydney, Australia
KEY PARTNERS
Suzannah Conway: ACID CEO, Professor Jeff Jones, Dr. Brad Haseman: Assistant Dean – Research QUT Creative Industries Faculty
Intimate Transactions was developed with support from ACID, QUT Creative Industries, the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body, and the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland and the Performance Space Headspace Residency Program. It was premiered at New Moves International, National Review of Live Arts, Glasgow, Scotland. Dr. Keith Armstrong is a QUT Senior Research fellow (part time).
Artist's website: www.intimatetransactions.com
Tony Fry's catalogue essay for Intimate Transactions at EAF is reproduced with kind permission of Museum and Gallery Servies Queensland. The essay appears on the website www.geoproject.org along with additional materials supporting four exhibitions that address the broad theme of art and the environment.
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