The rapid development of the scientific thought has resulted in the appearance of a number of concerns related to various spheres of human activity. The impact of science could be seen everywhere, and there is hardly an aspect that remains unchanged. The reconsideration of the main patterns which regulate the functioning of society poses numerous challenges to scientists, common people and artists. The last ones acquire the unique possibility to share their feelings and emotions with the help of new tools and remedies. For this reason, the modern art is characterized by numerous attempts to find the balance between art and science and embody it using various devices. Hence, interactive objects of art that demonstrate certain moments became one of the major concerns of the modern art.
In Very Nervous System, a work of 1983, David Rokeby touches upon the sphere of science and motion to raise the question about the persons mediated interaction with the world. The given artwork presents itself “a series of interactive sound installations that use video image processing to detect visitors’ motions and generate synthesized sound in response” (Wilson 730). The interaction between technologies, human thought, and an individual proves the unique character of the given work and emphasizes its outstanding significance for the further development of art. Very Nervous System serves as the background to demonstrate the authors vision of the modern world and the role technologies play in it. A common spectator might obtain his/her own vision of the process embodied with the help of the devices used in the day to day life.
David Rokeby, the author of the given artwork, emphasizes the fact that one of the main reasons for its creation was “a simple impulse towards contrariness” (“Very Nervous System (1986-1990)” para. 1). Being one of the pioneers of the integrative art, he tries to impact the peoples vision of the technologies and the role they might play in their life. Rokeby also tries to “move against the limitations and the predictable definiteness of standard interfaces” (Wilson 370) and alter the biased attitude towards computers. For these very reasons, the artist devotes a great deal of attention to the interaction between a person and technologies surrounding him/her. The majority of Rokebys works pose a challenge towards the traditional forms of art, implementing the newest approaches to their interaction with science.
Very Nervous System introduces several essential concerns related to the modern art and the artists perception of it. However, the central idea is the presentation of motion with the help of numerous devices. The whole artwork constantly changes, responding to the slightest actions of a person who interacts with it. It symbolizes the nervous system of a human being which is not able to remain steady. Although, the artwork also tends to present the idea of the constant motion peculiar to the modern art, society, and science. Rokeby explores the idea of the interactive art and its significance for the modern society. A person is taken as the part of the digital environment that guarantees the evolution of the society and its essential aspects. Additionally, Very Nervous System focuses on the investigation of the concept of mediated motion, movement, sound and their impact on art and human beings.
The above-mentioned concepts are central for a number of Rokebys works. The artist was the first to start experimenting in the given sphere. Motion is the part of everyday life of any living being and has a great impact on the existence of our society. At the same time, the modern technologies are another significant concern of the current reality. Very Nervous System introduces the mixture of these concepts, resulting in the creation of the interactive form of art. In other words, the given artwork introduces the way in which motions could be translated into the real-time interactive environment (“Very Nervous System (1986-1990)” para. 4). Therefore, Rokeby manages to create a unique masterpiece that contributes to the further exploration of the concept of movement in terms of the scientific progress and evolution of art.
The precise analysis of Very Nervous System also evidences the close correlation of art and science related to the given artwork. The artist uses a number of scientific theories to create the system being able to respond to the gestures of a person placed in the needed environment. The sound supporting the performance alters under the influence of movements. This complex system demands the complex scientific approach combined with the unconventional vision of the way in which these notions could be linked. Rokeby uses various digital devices like cameras, microphones, and computers to fix the movements and transmit them to the program to create the needed environment. However, it is mistaken to consider it as a complicated digital device because the interaction of all elements of the system results in the appearance of an instrument that a person plays with his/her body (Cooper para. 5).
Another essential concern of Very Nervous System is the absence of any special materials needed for the creation of the artwork. A the main actor and the devices which guarantee the translation of gestures comprise the unity resulting in the creation of the unique masterpiece. Rokeby emphasizes the great universalism and perspectives of this system, underlining the unconventional approach towards the creation of the masterpiece and the choice of the main instruments. Additionally, the usage of numerous digital devices introduces a number of possibilities for the improvement of the artwork under the influence of the further development of digital devices. Rokeby constantly changes his creation, adding new technologies and making it topical (“David Rokeby, Very Nervous System (1983-). Documentary Collection” para. 3). For this reason, Very Nervous System poses another important question about its longevity. It helps to track the technical developments and note the evolution of images and ideas presented with the help of the given artwork. Finally, the constant evolution of digital devices promotes the further development of the project and guarantee its practically endless existence.
Another important aspect of the given artwork is the peculiarities of its exhibition. The usage of numerous digital devices impacts the character of the work and introduces the necessity of the creation of special conditions. For this reason, Very Nervous System could be considered as a sort of a laboratory that analyzes a person and his/her gestures and motions (“Very Nervous System and the Benefit of Inexact Control” para. 5). The aligned functioning of all the complicated equipment demands the constant monitoring and control. These peculiarities of the exhibition result in the necessity of the creation of the needed conditions for the functioning of the given artwork and its efficient cooperation with any viewer.
However, despite the complications related to the creation of the needed conditions, Very Nervous System remains an outstanding example of the interactive art which is characterized by the relevant choice of the ideas and ways to embody them. It rests on the idea of the rapid growth of technologies and their impact on the modern world. This concern results in the stable interest towards the artwork and its constant evolution. The relevance of the Rokebys creation is also supported by the unique ability to alter under the impact of new conditions. The introduction of the new device might trigger shifts in the processes peculiar to Very Nervous System and result in the reconsideration of some of its aspects. In this regard, the relevance of the work is guaranteed by the development of the scientific thought.
Deep investigation of the crucial concerns related to Very Nervous System promoted the growth of my personal interest to it. Being one of the first examples of the interactive art, it still remains rather topical and relevant. Experiencing the artwork, one acquires the author’s vision about the way in which science and art might interact and result in the creation of the unique masterpieces.
In conclusion, the modern technologies contribute to the development of art greatly. They create outstanding remedies and tools for artists to be able to embody their feelings and emotions. Under these conditions, the evolution of the interactive art and the ideas of motion are taken as the most important concepts of the modern society. The combination of these two aspects might result in the significant reconsideration of the approaches towards the modern art and the way in which it might evolve.
Works Cited
David Rokeby, Very Nervous System (1983-). Documentary Collection. n.d. Web..
Cooper, Douglas. “Very Nervous System”. Wired. 3 Jan. 1995. Web.
Very Nervous System (1986-1990). n.d. Web.
Very Nervous System and the Benefit of Inexact Control. n.d. Web.
Wilson, Stephen. Information Arts. London: MIT Press, 2002. Print.