Sustained centers around the creation of a natural but strangely bizarre ecosystem which is sustained and controlled by the vital systems of the human body. Within the installation the body provides a strange form of sustenance to the environment through an array of physical, electronic, and mechanical devices designed to convert the vital statistics of the body into a form that can be utilized and absorbed by the environment. Sustained is an experiment in nature, examining the details of how the ecosystem and Cooper's body become fused in a kind of technological bondage, each responding to each other's sensory data.
The Ecosystem and The Body:
The ecosystem itself involves a series of waterfalls, geysers, and ponds that primarily support aquatic plant life activated by mechanical devices providing circulation of water, aeration, nutrients, light, and heat. The human body in this circumstance serves as a natural resource for the living environment, altering it's vitals such as pulse, breath rate, temperature, chemistry, etc. to provide sustenance to the environment which is kept within the controlled environment. A dialogue of sorts emerges through an exchange of sensory data which informs Cooper about what the ecosystem needs to continue growing and how he can manipulate and control his vitals to accommodate the needs of the ecosystem.
The Live Performances:
Periodic "live" performances are conducted which present a more physically fused version of the performance. In this "live" setting, Cooper's body is submerged underwater within one of the aquatic ponds while his vitals continue to control mechanical devices sustaining the ecosystem in "real-time". Audience members and viewers in the gallery are able to explore the process in their own way, uncovering sounds and stories through the use of stethoscopes designed to reclaim hidden sounds buried in various parts of the installation.
The Long Term Performance:
The installation and performance itself encompasses a three month time period where data is exchanged between Cooper and the ecosystem within the Lisa Sette Gallery. Throughout this time period Cooper's vitals data are transmitted from wherever Cooper happens to be via wireless email to a technology center that interprets the data and translates it into a form that can be utilized by the ecosystem.
The on-going performance involves attempting to sustain the ecosytem by altering Cooper's body vitals to provide a forma of sustenance to the plants for a 3 month period. Although Cooper will not physically be in the installation for the 3 month period, a remote email data link has been established to upload data to the installation every 1-2 hours.
The performance process goes as follows:
1) Cooper first receives an read-out via email of the ORP (oxidation reduction potential) of the water in the ecosytem. This informs him about how the plants and ecosytem are doing.
2) Based on that information, Cooper must make a determination whether the plants need more oxygen, water flow, light, and nutrients. If the plants do need more of those vital elements, then Cooper must alter his routine by exercising more and finding ways to increase the corresponding elements of his body, such as respirations, pulse, blood pressure, etc.
3) Cooper's vitals are taken every 1-2 hours and the data is recorded. This data is then immediately transmitted via a wireless "Blackberry" email device dontated by Research in Motion (RIM). The email data is then received by the installation and the motors, pumps, and mechnics of the installation are all consequently adjusted and updated based on the data.
More About the Project:
Programming: The programming for the installation was done in a program called "MAX". The program uses a midi interface to communicate with a device called an "i-Cube" which allows the computer to control the pumps, motors, and lights in the installation.
Email Link: A special plug-in was written by Robb Lovell to allow the MAX program to check email and update the system. The email program checks for email from Cooper every 5 minutes and also takes updates from general web users who submit their data online. A special wireless email device called a "Blackberry" is used to transmit the data from wherever Cooper is to a server which processes the information and sends it to the installation via email. The Blackberry unit is produced and donated by Research in Motion (http://www.rim.net).
ORP (Oxidation Reduction Potential): The ORP or "redox" level as it is know, is a measurement of the electrical potential of the water. In layman's terms, it informs Cooper about how well the plants are doing (specifically how well they are breaking down waste in the water, how clean the water is, and how much oxygen is available to the plants). An optimal level is approximately 250 mV for this freshwater ecosystem. A low ORP reading indicates that the plants are not doing well.
Pulse: Affects the waterflow in the installation. A higher pulse means that more water is filtered and circulated throughout the installation.
Respirations (Breath Rate): Affects the amount of air and oxygen that is put into the water. The higher the respirations, the more oxygen is released.
Blood Pressure: Affects the water flow and oxygen level in the installation. This provides a boost to the water flow and oxygen valves in the installation. If Cooper's blood pressure is above a certain level, a series of pumps and respiration units kick in to boost the levels.
Awake: Affects the light in the installation. If Cooper is awake, a special metal halide light provides replicated sunlight to the plants. If Cooper is asleep, then the light is turned off.
ORP: Affects Cooper. If the ORP level is below a certain level, then Cooper must increase his physical activity to boost his vital signs and consequently increase the water flow and oxygen in the installation. (ORP is defined and explained in the technical info section.)
Special thanks to the Lisa Sette Gallery:
Contact Lisa Sette Gallery at...
4142 N Marshall Way
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
480 · 990 · 7342
sette@lisasettegallery.com
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