1999
PerSona
The observer enters a black corridor. The only means of orientation are the two sources of light, which illuminate a mirror at the front side of the corridor creating a dimly lit environment. This has the effect that the observer moves towards the mirror and his own mirror image. The structure of the corridor supports the approaching effect of the observer moving closer to his own mirror image. The observer is confronted with himself through his own mirror image. In the centre of the corridor, on the way to the mirror, a light barrier connected to a digital photo camera and computer is fixed at leg level. Unnoticed by the observer, the light barrier is broken causing the video camera behind the semi-transparent mirror to take a picture (portrait) of the observer’s face. If the observer continues to walk down the corridor he reaches the heart of the installation and is confronted with himself for a second time. He now finds himself in a darkened room where his portrait, taken as a still with a CCD camera behind the mirror, is projected against the end wall (approx. 3m x 4m). At the centre of the room there is a microphone on a stand illuminated with a spotlight. Clearly the observer is being prompted to speak into the microphone or to make a sound. This triggers a change in the projected portrait. A process controlled by software specially developed for this installation begins. The computer is connected to the microphone and the video projector. The software generates modifications to the original portrait according to certain parameters. The software contains different image modification variants triggered by the parameters of length, volume and pitch of the sound. If no acoustic signal follows the relevant change stops and the original photo is shown again.
Only one person at a time can enter the installation.