Re: [-empyre-] Welcome Jim Andrews re: Electronic Poetry

[fizzion <fizzion@optusnet.com.au>]

Hi Simon,

> From: Simon Biggs <simon@littlepig.org.uk>
> Reply-To: soft_skinned_space <empyre@lists.cofa.unsw.edu.au>
> Date: Fri, 02 May 2003 14:13:27 +0100
> To: soft_skinned_space <empyre@lists.cofa.unsw.edu.au>
> Subject: Re: [-empyre-] Welcome Jim Andrews  re: Electronic Poetry
> 
> On 02.05.03 13:28, "Patrick Lichty" <voyd@voyd.com> wrote:
> 
>>> ps Char Davies made a virtual world (osmose I think) where one could sink
>>> through a landscape of trees, streams etc, to a field of text beneath
>>> everything, the text being the code that generated the environment of the
>>> artwork. Kind of nicely self referential, amusing and profound.
> -----
>> Yes, I believe it was Osmose, although it's been a while.  The interesting
>> thing is that one navigated this space through the use of a vestthat
>> monitored your breathing. In this way, I think it was one o=f the more
>> interesting metaphors for embodiment al la Hayles (body of data/body of
>> flesh/body of text/body of code(S) ).
> -----
> Definitely Osmose, although I do not remember the "code" at the bottom. I
> found the interface annoying. It encumbered, leaving one feeling restricted
> and uncomfortable. The solitariness of interaction was also problematic,
> sustaining the dynamic of author/reader as a one on one relationship.
> 
There was code beneath and poetry above the forest/stream visuals. I guess
the VR gear must be encumbering, but you are only aware of scuba gear until
you are immersed in the ocean, then the immersion takes over. From reviews
I've read quite a number of viewers of Osmose were profoundly affected,
experiencing a kind of sublime or ecstatic state. Individual responses
differ naturally of course.
I am curious to know why you find the one-on-one experiencing of the piece
problematic. Its interesting to note that we are all essentially alone, as
Thomas Merton observed, and also that one on one 'conversations' sometimes
provide the intimacy that allows more deeply felt meaning to be be
discovered and shared.

Cheers, Barrie

> best
> 
> Simon
> 
> 
> Simon Biggs
> 
> simon@littlepig.org.uk
> http://www.littlepig.org.uk/
> http://www.greatwall.org.uk/
> http://www.babel.uk.net/
> 
> Research Professor
> Art and Design Research Centre
> Sheffield Hallam University, UK
> s.biggs@shu.ac.uk
> http://www.shu.ac.uk/
> 
> 
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