In Monitor Man, Yassine Khaled creates an embodiment of virtual communication in public space. The artist wears a helmet affixed with an iPad which offers a real-time connection to a person outside of Europe and the Western world. Through the use of technology and his own body, Khaled uses the performance to transgress actual, national borders which separate people. The performance is an opportunity for people to meet with someone who is physically far away and restricted in their freedom of movement. Pleace click here for a video.
Last weekend the Ars Electronica Festival, a festival for art, technology and society, took place in Linz. The festival premiered in September 1979, but only this year I had the opportunity to see some of its exhibitions. This year's theme of the festival was "Error - The Art of Imperfection". One of my favourite exhibits was "SEER", a simulative emotional expression robot by Takayuki Todo. The robot is attached to a camera censor and imitates the facial expressions of the viewer. Please click here for more information and a video.
