Séa.nce - A Networked Glossalalia

Séa.nce is a 'pataphysical experiment to demonstrate the relays of perpetual emotion on the internet.
In the 19th century Etienne-Jules Marey, Henri Bergson, Arsène d'Arsonoval and Marie Curie met to investigate "the manifestations of yet undefined forces" through scientific investigations using Marey's graphing instruments. These investigations attempted to measure radioactivity and electric discharge of hysterics; to study telepathy and levitation; and to hold Seances.

Séa.nce, following these earlier experiments, is based on this popular parlour game from the 19th century. The original Ouija Board was also known as the Talking Board or the Message Board where one would search for answers from the spirit world. The modern equivalent of this 'searching for answers' could be imagined as Google or any search engine for that matter. Are there 'unknown forces' still at play? What happens when answers depend on a network of movement?
During the performance participants are networked through the virtual Ouija Board with other participants in remote locations. Players log-on and are given an avatar. They can ask questions of the Board.

Through a system which relays the collective motion of the avatars, the planchette is moved around the board from letter to letter. When the planchette lands on a letter it responds with the sounds of the spoken alphabets randomly chosen from many languages. At the same time players type their comments, feelings, thoughts and ideas into the Message Box creating a corresponding textual cacophony.

The result is a sort of networked glossalalia -- an audiolisation of the perpetual e.motion in the network.