Substance: Interactive Installation
curated by Year 01
Opening reception: Saturday, May 11th from 5pm - 7pm

Mimetic Starfish
by Richard Brown

An image of a starfish is projected onto large circular table, a tentacle extends to a viewers hand, if they move too quickly the tentacle suddenly retracts in an alarming manner. Stroking a tentacle causes neural net activity to be displayed by muscular contractions and colour changes of the skin. The Starfish through illusion and mimicry fools us into thinking that it is aware of our presence. Its movements are organic and convey a sense of aliveness. It is an example of Artificial Life that encapsulates ideas of magic and technology, art and science, philosophy and cognition.

Richard Brown - Biography

For the last four years Richard Brown has worked as a research fellow at the Royal College of Art investigating "art as a mode of enquiry". This research led to the development and exhibition of computer based interactive installations. Richard has presented and shown at conferences and symposia including ISEA, Siggraph and Mind Zone of the Millennium Dome where The Times declared his work: "the best bit of the entire Dome."