Kostova and Robinson present their work, Negotiations - Recent News

Daniela Kostova (MFA 2005) and Olivia Robinson (MFA 2004) presented their work Negotiations as part of ISEA2009: The Exhibition in Belfast, Ireland.

Negotiations (2006-2008)

Negotiations is a project that explores cross-cultural communication and interpretation. Over a period of two years we developed an interactive system that utilizes blue screen video techniques as a tool for manipulating human bodies moving through unknown environments. The system has been performed in three distinct public environments: Nuoro, Italy, New York City, USA and Sofia, Bulgaria.

As both a conspicuous costume and virtual assimilation act, each performance has fostered the development of a site-specific story. Recurring themes that emerged from the performances include: estrangement and integration; cultural economics of “authority”; placidity of legality, territory and ownership; and mediation of experience.

The Negotiations system uses readily available computer and surveillance technology to create the real-time video.  Two characters embody the system, an Alien (in blue) and an Authority (in black).  Each has a video camera, which is linked to a computer embedded in the Authority's costume. Custom software composites the two video streams to create a negotiated final video.  The resulting imagery is solely from the Authority's point of view wherein the Alien has been replaced with her or his own point of view.  The Alien carries a small monitor where s/he and passers-by can view the final video as it is being created. It becomes the focal point, allowing relationships to form during performances and highlighting the double-consciousness of cross-cultural communication.

ISEA2009: The Exhibition 

Artists from across the globe will present leading edge art, created with electronic and digital technology, in an unprecedented multi-site exhibition in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Opening to the public on Friday, 7 August, the exhibition will continue through August. ISEA2009: The Exhibition will be on view at the Ormeau Baths Gallery, the Golden Thread Gallery, the Foyer Gallery of the University of Ulster Belfast campus, and at sites across the city in the public domain. 

ISEA2009: The Exhibition addresses contested spaces, focusing on the environment, political and economic conflicts and the human body. Curated by Kathy Rae Huffman, it will display an exciting range of innovative and challenging work at the interface of art, science, communication and technology.

ISEA2009: The Exhibition is an extended part of ISEA2009, the 15th International Symposium on Electronic Art, which will take place from 23 August to 1 September 2009 on the island of Ireland. Hosted by the University of Ulster in partnership with academic and cultural providers the symposium focuses on Engaged Creativity in Mobile Environments.