The Vitruvian World
by: Michael Takeo Magruder + Drew Baker + David Steele - 02.2008
In the 1st century BC, Roman writer, architect and engineer Vitruvius codified specific building formulae based on the guiding principles of strength, utility and beauty. He believed that architecture was intrinsically linked to nature and was a human imitation of cosmic order. The most well-known interpretation of this postulate is the Vitruvian Man by Leonardo da Vinci in which the male form is depicted in unity with the square and circle - representing material and spiritual existence respectively.
This tripartite union of human body, material form and spiritual essence maintains relevance within the current climate of distributed presences, mixed realities and internet cultures. The proliferation of synthetic worlds and virtual constructs engendered by our ubiquitous technology provides new realms for both actual existence and creative exploration.
The Vitruvian World is a multi-nodal and recursive artwork that embodies the principles of Vitruvius within this context. Existing in three distinct yet interconnected spaces, the work simultaneously embraces the virtual, the physical, and the network connecting them.
This tripartite union of human body, material form and spiritual essence maintains relevance within the current climate of distributed presences, mixed realities and internet cultures. The proliferation of synthetic worlds and virtual constructs engendered by our ubiquitous technology provides new realms for both actual existence and creative exploration.
The Vitruvian World is a multi-nodal and recursive artwork that embodies the principles of Vitruvius within this context. Existing in three distinct yet interconnected spaces, the work simultaneously embraces the virtual, the physical, and the network connecting them.
VIRTUAL : realm of the avatar
[ a dynamic public environment within Second Life ]
Requirements: Computer system (high-specification CPU and GPU recommended) with current Second Life client (WindLight version recommended) and QuickTime, color display with ≥1024x768 resolution and 5.1 audio.
ENTER THE VIRTUAL WORLD > > >
Within the metaverse of Second Life there exists a dynamic world constructed in perfect accordance with ideals of math and proportion that have existed since antiquity. Order and design are the fundamental principles of this environment in which no component of the greater whole is detached from the hierarchy of structure and perfection.
Although absolute in nature, this utopian manifestation of space is in constant flux. The world is open and accessible to all residents of Second Life. As the environment becomes populated by these distributed presences, it senses them and transforms according to their interventions. Each avatar that roams within the metaverse is a unique personification of a virtual self, and as such, maintains autonomy and instrumentality. Even the perception of the environment’s ambient qualities resides within the realm of individual agency - synthetic wind and virtual light are informed by personalized schema, not through inherent laws of the system. The world is governed according to its own design, but as in any reality, its essence is dictated by a dialogue with the individuals that dwell within its bounds.
Within the metaverse of Second Life there exists a dynamic world constructed in perfect accordance with ideals of math and proportion that have existed since antiquity. Order and design are the fundamental principles of this environment in which no component of the greater whole is detached from the hierarchy of structure and perfection.
Although absolute in nature, this utopian manifestation of space is in constant flux. The world is open and accessible to all residents of Second Life. As the environment becomes populated by these distributed presences, it senses them and transforms according to their interventions. Each avatar that roams within the metaverse is a unique personification of a virtual self, and as such, maintains autonomy and instrumentality. Even the perception of the environment’s ambient qualities resides within the realm of individual agency - synthetic wind and virtual light are informed by personalized schema, not through inherent laws of the system. The world is governed according to its own design, but as in any reality, its essence is dictated by a dialogue with the individuals that dwell within its bounds.
PHYSICAL : realm of the puppet
[ an immersive installation at the Huret & Spector Gallery ]
Installation Setup: (hardware) Custom-built PC linked to dual HD projectors and a 2.1 audio system. (software) Current versions of SL WindLight client and QuickTime. (user) Six degrees of freedom control via a Wii-mote.
VIEW THE PHYSICAL INSTALLATION > > >
There is a small domain within the virtual world where avatars may not venture. Although the environment appears undivided, it is apportioned into two symbiotic realms. The greater world for the avatars surrounds an isolated space - a finite microcosm that is enveloped by the endless metaverse. This domain is home to a single entity that has been created as a generic vessel for human agency. Intrinsically linked to the realm that contains it, this being often appears suspended as if it exists without an eternal soul. It is a puppet waiting to be brought to life.
Spanning countless nodes across vast data networks, the confined virtual realm is bridged to a remote physical space. In this environment, visitors are confronted by the puppet’s senses and become immersed in its visual and aural surroundings. Passive spectators become active participants, as individuals assume control of the puppet and instill their will into its lifeless shell. The intentions of creator and user intertwine as the actions of the Puppet are sensed by the environment, and as with the avatars above, initiate transformations within the world. A dialogue ensues, as each realm exerts different influences upon the world.
There is a small domain within the virtual world where avatars may not venture. Although the environment appears undivided, it is apportioned into two symbiotic realms. The greater world for the avatars surrounds an isolated space - a finite microcosm that is enveloped by the endless metaverse. This domain is home to a single entity that has been created as a generic vessel for human agency. Intrinsically linked to the realm that contains it, this being often appears suspended as if it exists without an eternal soul. It is a puppet waiting to be brought to life.
Spanning countless nodes across vast data networks, the confined virtual realm is bridged to a remote physical space. In this environment, visitors are confronted by the puppet’s senses and become immersed in its visual and aural surroundings. Passive spectators become active participants, as individuals assume control of the puppet and instill their will into its lifeless shell. The intentions of creator and user intertwine as the actions of the Puppet are sensed by the environment, and as with the avatars above, initiate transformations within the world. A dialogue ensues, as each realm exerts different influences upon the world.
NETWORK : realm of the doll
[ a real-time Internet artwork at Turbulence.org ]
Requirements: Computer system with Internet browser (Internet Explorer 7 and Firefox 2 recommended), Flash 8+ plug-in, color display with ≥1024x768 resolution and stereo audio.
ACCESS THE NETWORK COMPOSITION > > >
The fundamental barrier defining the two distinct realms within the world is more than just a division of space. Traces of the world’s history linger on its surface as time unfolds within the virtual expanse. It is a living boundary that reflects the dialogue between the visiting avatars and the puppet’s masters. These memories are not aggregated by the barrier; it is only a receptacle for data streams and information flow.
The agent of this process is yet another entity that exists within the surrounding world. Residing in a space hidden from avatar and puppet alike, a figure rests atop a simple cube as if in contemplation. Its body, stripped of all human essence and free from any influence, contains no consciousness. It is a doll within the world - an object within the metaverse. It serves as the collector of memories and the recorder of histories. All that venture within its encompassing view are captured and remembered. Fragments of time are overlaid into the world while a recursive mechanism echoes and reinforces moments from the recent past. These recollections, like the network that transmits them, are never constant and forever shifting.
The fundamental barrier defining the two distinct realms within the world is more than just a division of space. Traces of the world’s history linger on its surface as time unfolds within the virtual expanse. It is a living boundary that reflects the dialogue between the visiting avatars and the puppet’s masters. These memories are not aggregated by the barrier; it is only a receptacle for data streams and information flow.
The agent of this process is yet another entity that exists within the surrounding world. Residing in a space hidden from avatar and puppet alike, a figure rests atop a simple cube as if in contemplation. Its body, stripped of all human essence and free from any influence, contains no consciousness. It is a doll within the world - an object within the metaverse. It serves as the collector of memories and the recorder of histories. All that venture within its encompassing view are captured and remembered. Fragments of time are overlaid into the world while a recursive mechanism echoes and reinforces moments from the recent past. These recollections, like the network that transmits them, are never constant and forever shifting.
Author Credits: Michael Takeo Magruder (artistic concept, SL and Flash design, physical installation design) . Drew Baker (academic research, SL modeling and programming) . David Steele (network design, server-side programming)
Without Whom: Jo-Anne Green + Helen Thorington (Turbulence) . Robert Fleming + Brooke Knight (Emerson College) . Richard Beacham + Hugh Denard (King’s College London)
The Vitruvian World is a 2007 commission of New Radio and Performing Arts, Inc., (aka Ether-Ore) for its Turbulence web site. It was made possible with funding from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts and generous support from the Huret & Spector Gallery, Emerson College and King’s Visualisation Lab, Centre for Computing in the Humanities, King’s College London.
Without Whom: Jo-Anne Green + Helen Thorington (Turbulence) . Robert Fleming + Brooke Knight (Emerson College) . Richard Beacham + Hugh Denard (King’s College London)
The Vitruvian World is a 2007 commission of New Radio and Performing Arts, Inc., (aka Ether-Ore) for its Turbulence web site. It was made possible with funding from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts and generous support from the Huret & Spector Gallery, Emerson College and King’s Visualisation Lab, Centre for Computing in the Humanities, King’s College London.
