Your Virtual Background Projected
Online Workshop presented in coordination with Ruhr-Universität Bochum Arts and Culture International
June - July, 2020
With the accelerated use of digital technologies in daily life, we often see ourselves as increasingly glued to our screens, encapsulated by the information in front us while we may disconnect from our “real” physical sphere. How may we, however, use digital information in the form of sound or visuals to break through this gap? To project information into a space in order to create a certain mood, or even reinvigorate an unused space?
The workshop Your Virtual Background - Projected discusses ideas and techniques concerning how our digital interactions may expand outside of the screen. The workshop consist of online courses supplemented with individual consultations, all leading to the production of our own “virtual backgrounds” in which participants may experiment with projecting a certain mood, feeling, or story through a video chat.
The following videos are results from the first staging of the workshop in the summer of 2020. The videos are accompanied with directions which explain how the viewer should situate themselves in order to watch each work.
“A Response” - Ahn Minhee
Directions:
- Fold a blanket or towel into a tight ball
- Stand on the blanket and try to balance
- When the video replays, close your eyes and focus on the sound
“Fratarski” - Marina Mucha
Directions:
– Prepare a small amount of salty water.
– Lay down or sit on a towel and take a stone, a shell or some other round, smooth object in your hand.
– Put some saltwater on your lips and enjoy a moment of peace at the sea.
“Losing Focus” - Anna-Carolin Weber
Directions:
– put your sunglasses on your head (just above your hairline)
– take off your shoes and socks
– choose a comfortable place where you can lie down in a relaxed way
(it could be your bed, your couch or the floor)
– place a big towel on you chosen spot
– prepare a bucket with lukewarm water
– place the bucket close enough to your chosen spot so that you can place your feet in the water
– have your device (ideally a tablet; alternatively your laptop or your phone) to watch the video ready
– lie down, put your feet in the water, close your eyes and relax for second
– lift both your arms to the ceiling, elbows stretched, both hands holding the device right over your head
– let your eyeballs drop and watch the video with relaxed eyeballs
– enjoy!
“Up In a Treehouse” - Christoph Ranf
Directions:
– roll up your sleeves and pant legs
– open a window to let the air flow
(if it is noisy outside, keep the window closed)
– chew bubble gum with fruity taste
– if possible, get some mosquito bites you can scratch