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.