Viewers
enter the dark installation space and see only a spotlight illuminating
an ellipse on the floor. They hear soft sounds of a large group
of people talking and milling about. When a viewer enters the
illuminated ellipse, they are blinded by the intense light and
a loud roar of clapping is heard. If the viewer moves about
the audio crowd bursts into applause. The enthusiasm of the
virtual crowd increases with movement of the viewer. If the
viewer is still, the audience calms and eventually goes silent
except for an occasional cough or clearing of the throat. When
the viewer leaves the illuminated area the viewer hears applause
proportional to the total amount of movement in that session.
Each viewer will experience slightly
different behavior from the virtual audience as it tries to
‘learn’ how best to respond.
This audio simulation uses small
sound clips recorded from real audiences: claps, yells, coughs,
mumbling, etc. These clips are layered on top of one another
and each is balance, volume and pitch modified in real-time.
The simulation never sounds repetitive and is able to represent
a spectrum from only a few people clapping to the full roar
of a hundred member audience.
Creation of Performer was partially
funded by a NYFA Artist Grant and half the work was completed
while in residence at the LMCC Worldviews Program in the World
Trade Center.
We are currently scheduling future
exhibitions.
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