DISTANCE >>
Tina La Porta
The disembodied and dislocated nature of on-line communication
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||| HIAFF 3.0 | university of colorado | department of art and art history | digital arts area | in conjunction with alt-x | atlas | blurr
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[Reviews] "Distance", by Tina LaPorta, is a work that has been commissioned by
New Radio and Performing Arts, Inc. It is a piece that deals with the growing
phenomenon of interconnectivity between participants on the Internet. By means
of teleconferencing software (specifically CU-SeeMe), computer users can
browse
for conversation, love and friendships online. This goes well beyond regular
chat room conversation as surfers can see each other as well as write in real
time. This technology is really still in its infancy and it produces many
technological artifacts that are as much a part of the experience as the
intended communication itself. Many times images are blurred, garbled, and
fragmented. Connections are unreliable as are the real/virtual people that
make
them. With words, hypertext, and images, "Distance" delves into the minds and
emotions of the very real people that make up this virtual world as well as
the
thoughts conceived therein. It is a moving piece, especially for those that
have experienced the world of on-line relationships firsthand.
The piece unfolds as a series of screenshots along with a short bit of
narrative text which serves to comment on the action as well as guide the
viewer on a linier path. The screenshots are intriguing moments of digital
motion capturing the nuances of intimate communication through the filter of
low bandwidth technology. The images often take on the appearance of cubist
abstract paintings resembling works created by artists such as Picasso or Max
Weber.
The narrative begins to introduce a cast of characters engaged in the process
of grappling with on-line relationships. There is a certain starkness that
pervades throughout this piece, as well as feelings of waiting, uncertainty,
and facade. As communication is broken down into distorted groupings of pixels
and short bits of text, questions begin to arise as to how much this may
resemble off-line communication. If one assumes that the off-line equivalent
of
this experience is the common singles bar, one can compare the filtration of
alcohol, dim lights, loud music while trying to talk, dress-up clothing, pick-
up lines, and the scripted norm of acceptable bar conversation creating
similar
distortions as what occurs electronically in on-line space. One might even
wonder whether there really is any meta-intent behind any communication as we
often distort our own intentions and identities and confuse even ourselves.
"Distance" is a prime example of art produced for, and about the Net. It is
specifically meant to be displayed on the Net, and creates an important space
for itself in the new world of electronic media.
By Joe Farbrook
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