Full video: https://vimeo.com/254393034
hash2ash by panGenerator is an installation that uses multiple modalities to convey a unique, individualized interaction between the visitor and the installation. As a user inputs their selfie onto the given link, a granular display of their selfie appears on the big display, and as soon as the image appears, all the particles that make up the image start to fall and disintegrate. The digital rendering is accompanied by real falling pebbles (“ashes”) underneath the display, adding an auditory and tangible experience to what is considered as a very virtual act of taking selfies. The essential idea of the project is to convey the fear of losing all your digital records due to technical failures.
This project is one my favorites, as the digital and physical rendering are beautifully linked together through code. I like how controlled the “waterfall” effect is on the screen and how the animation precisely matches the falling grains below the screen. Each grain feels alive when you take a closer look. I’m inspired the way the computation imitates real life physics, yet opens up a vision into a fictional world.
I’m not sure how many people were involved in making the piece, but the studio that produced this is a relatively small organization, so I imagine less than 20 people were involved.* I’m fairly positive that the artists developed their custom software to develop it.
*EDIT: panGenerator is made of only four artists!