'Simulacra and Emulation' the interactive art piece

'Simulacra and Emulation'[sic] the interactive art piece

Simulacra :
a slight, unreal, or superficial likeness or semblance.
an effigy, image, or representation

Emulation:

mirror, copy, echo, emulate, affect, imitate, caricature, impersonate, counterfeit, parody, travesty, mock

This interactive art work will explore ideas of free will and control, relationships between the viewer and space/time, and the viewer and the media.
The installation is a small enclosed space, with one entrance, and on the opposite wall a large display screen. The viewer wears anaglyph glasses (red/cyan 3d), and as he enters the installation he sees his image on the screen, in 3d; a digital stereoscopic mirror. As he moves through the space his image is replaced with another person, -the 'mirrored' movements are no longer his own, but those of another. Infra red sensors in the ceiling of the installation trigger the changes on the display. Only when he is close to the display, will the 'mirrored' image be his own.
The images of the other people he sees are recorded footage of previous visitors to the installation. His own movements are recorded, and thus become the footage that future visitors will see; he is becoming part of the installation, part of the media, part of the machine. Will his behaviour change when he realises this, what image will he leave for future uses, what can he make of the past viewers, how have they interacted with the machine?.
The illusionistic nature of the stereoscopy is compelling- the images seem to defy space as the 3d elements reach out to the viewer. They appear both more real (than a flat image), and unreal in the filtered colours and not-quite-true perspective - this mirrors the nature of interaction itself, which simultaneously implies free will for the user and control over him.

images to follow...

Final Concept.

Final Concept for Interaction Brief

Due to time constraints the final piece i can deliver will have to be a concept piece. The idea is an interactive installation, with a large anaglyph video display (dual red/cyan image creating the illusion of 3d if viewed through red/cyan glasses) .The viewer will see a 3d mirror image of themselves from a live video feed using twin cameras in the room). Movement sensors in the installation will detect where in the room the viewer is, and change the display on the screen to show a previous viewer. As they move around the room, their reflection will change, so they no longer see them self, but the mirrored image of another person. Their movement will begin to make less sense, as it's not really their 'reflection' any more, they have no direct control on the person on the display, so the viewer begins to ponder aspects of control within space/time, and question aspects of the self and their relationship to the technology. Has their free will be dissolved with their own image on the screen ? Are they a but fragment of the past ? whats their relationship to the previous occupant of the installation ?
The illusionistic aspect of the 3d will compliment the transitory nature of their own self image, and potentially have them question their role in the media they are viewing, as their image will be recorded and displayed to the next visitor to the installation., becoming part of the media and creating a visual man machine symbiosis.
Or mebbe they will just think its a load of bollocks, but thats art, innit? (or is it?)