Jennifer Kong-LookingOutwards-01

Demo of the Manual Input Workstation (2004) by Golan Levin and Zachary Lieberman

The Manual Input Workstation was made by artists, Golan Levin and Zachary Lieberman, in 2004. The time it took to complete this project can’t be determined. The project is interactive through hand movements that creates shapes with an analog projector and a video projector. There was a custom made program. They were inspired by another collaboration they did in 2003, Messa di Voce, which was an interactive art installation where audio was interpreted into interactive visual feedback. Messa di Voce was the inverse of Manual Input Workstation. Messa di Voce used audio to create visuals and Manual Input Station used visuals to create audio. In some ways, Manual Input Workstation was a precursor to virtual reality. It blended the line of virtual space and ‘real’ space.

Messa di Voce (2003) by Golan Levin and Zachary Lieberman, a similar project

I personally really loved this project because of how whimsical it is. Interactive installations were one of my favorite genres because it invited everyday people to engage with art and they did just that. I was amazed by the capability and complexity of code in 2004. I can imagine the top down design but have no idea how to implement it! These two aspects make the project admirable.

 

Sources: Official Website for Project

Documentation for Project by Golan Levin