Thumbs Up!I recently got the chance to see Listening Post, the media installation by Mark Hansen and Ben Rubin, at the Science Museum. It got me thinking about the human need to connect and how the 21st century men try and connect via the cyber-space. Is it counter-productive or more efficient? As someone who uses chat and social networks, I'm not sure what the answer is...
To begin with, the piece is a technological marvel with 200 electronic screens designed in a big, curved grid backed up by algorithms that analyze real-time IRC chat data to compose a symphony with movements. The cool factor is that the symphony is different every time as it consists of real-time chat data. It also creates a sense of rush as you're eavesdropping on people's conversations. I must admit that one of the reasons I had decided to see this installation was because of its voyeurism aspect.
One of the sections is titled "I AM," and it puts together phrases starting with "I am" that are typed within the last two hours. The display of the phrases/words is accompanied by synthetic voices reading them out loud. The synthetic voices are so neutral (mind you, they don't sound blank like regular computer voices, but they just sound normal, bereft of any implication or emotion). The surround sound setup with the voices and the ambient music create an eerie atmosphere where anonymous people are reaching out for communication. What the viewer is left with is wondering whether or not the hand was met halfway by another...
I would highly recommend anyone to see the installation as it is thought-provoking, enjoyable, fresh and contemplative. I rarely enjoy art installations as I think most of them don't have any artistic merit, but this one deserves some credits.
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