THE INFINITY BOX

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Project to demonstrate 'Physical Human Computer Interaction' & the 'playing' of video, like the playing of a musical instrument.

The 'Infinity Box' is Olaf's Latest video instrument that uses the relaxing 'FLURO FLUFFY CHAIR' as its interface. The infinity box is a totally self contained video instrument with its own internal rhythm generators.

The preset animations are mixed using brightness values generated by infinitely looping algorithms that simulate analogue video feedback. Made by Olaf with the assistance of Paul Perry & Souix Dollmann , the video instrument is programed using a prototype version of Andrew Baxter's video compositing engine AVS.

The front of the infinity box has on it a mirror mosaic of a meditating cross-legged trance fairy. A live preview of the video output from the instrument is displayed inside her head (the 'Trance Head' ). A composite (RCA) video output is located at the top of the Infinity Box for anyone to plug into and record or broadcast.

Playing the Infinity Box is a cross between trancing out (see Visual Trance), and playing a theremin.

The Infinity Box is a 'Video instrument'. It was created to give a more physical interface to systems that play and effect video in real-time. Similar to the the Laser Video Harp it is used as an instrument for the performance of live improvisational video.

The type of interaction the Fluro Fluffy Chair offers as an interface is totally non physical, as the interaction occurs not with physical matter but light. Combining this instrument with the laser harp allows for much more gestural control of subtle parameters without the need to physically touch anything.

Pictures: Infinity Box video instrument at the Mind-a-Maze Gallery 2002

 

THERE ARE SEVEN PRESETS IN THE INFINITY BOX....

THE IMAGES AND SOUND WITHIN THE PRESETS AND COMPOSITIONS ARE DESIGNED TO SUBTLEY AFFECT MOOD. THE RECOGNISABLE IMAGES ARE LIKE VISUAL LYRICS AMONGST VISUAL RHYTHMS WHICH IN THEMSELVES DO NOT SAY ANYTHING BUT CAN ONLY LEAVE AN IMPRESSION.

THE ARMRESTS ARE VERY SENSITIVE SO SLOW MOVEMENT OVER THEM IS RECOMENDED.

 

PRESET ONE - 'MOTION LOOP'

  • A real-time feedback loop is turned into an alpha channel. Rhythms can be created inside the alpha channel to reveal an image of ocean and sky.
  • Movement over the left armrest is recorded and looped. Right armrest adds video feedback.

PRESET TWO - 'X_FADE'

  • A real-time feedback loop is turned into an alpha channel. Rhythms can be created inside the alpha channel to reveal an image of floating islands.
  • Movement over the left armrest reveals the island landscape reflecting from a bubble. The right affects the video feedback within the alpha channel.

PRESET THREE- 'PIXIE GENERATOR'

  • Generate flipping pixies using your left hand.
  • The amount of separation (feedback delay) is controlled with your right hand.

PRESET FOUR - 'TRANCE FAIRY'

  • Right hand reveals the trance fairy. (Also visible as a mirror mozaic on the front of the infinity box- The video compositions in the infinity box create Visual Trance inside the trance fairy's head.
  • Left hand controls rate of rhythm within the background.

PRESET FIVE - 'DIGITALLY SIMULATED ANALOGUE FEEDBACK'

  • Camera rotation on left hand.
  • Camera zoom controlled by the right hand

PRESET SIX- 'MOIRE MOVER'

  • Direction on right hand.
  • Wobble on left.

PRESET SEVEN - 'PONG'

  • Right and left armrest control pong sliders. Pong is hidden. Try switching the switches on the right armrest in diferent combinations really fast to access this present.