VIDA 4.0 - Dingir 2.0

Ivor Diosi
E-BONE
Dingir 2.0
Slovak republic

diosi@luna.sk

¡Castanedize! Dingir 2.0

IVOR DIOSI
E/BONE

Abstract:
My work is reflecting our movement towards an age redefined by biotechnology and multiple realities. It is an investigation into the realms created by genetically modified lifeforms within new topologies of virtual vs. real. I focus on their interplay within the complex nexus of our ecosystem and our cultural/social beliefs and practices. I let go of the blurring boundaries and embark on a quest for different strategies in a language of dynamic morphology.
My message is I don´t believe the humankind is here to last forever. This is not a pessimistic viewpoint. We´re just happen to be the first and only species known to US, whose emergent ability of consciousness has surpassed a certain threshold. There still may be many more thresholds to come, and just now we are part of the show.

Keywords:
Augmented Reality, Multiagent System, Artificial Life.

Year the Work was created:
1999-2001 and in progress

Project Description

1.1 Thoughts
I have been always wondering: if there is an alternate reality, is there life in there? How does it look like? What dose it eat? How can I experience it? Do the shamen know the answer? Castanedize! Is my idea of communication with a parallel universe.

1.2 The works
It is an interactive digital installation, an augmented reality with a multiagent system, which uses body motion, gestures and human voice as inputs.
The central point is a computer screen with augmented reality.
It reflects the environment as a mirror, but it also unfolds a view to an invisible world, merging the two realities.
With our naked eye we only see the sculptures, but the screen also shows flocks of artificial life creatures, as if swarming around the sculptures. Sounds of the creatures are coming from speakers inside the statues, so they really seem to be "there".
By stepping into the installation space, the participant is recognised by an optical tracking system. Another swarm of artificial life appears as the incarnation of the participant in virtual space.
The small creatures´ behaviour is driven by a multiagent system –they will also remember their dynamics. The participant´s body shall become part of the interface to the process.
When the breeding sequence is activated, the big creature will take over the motion dynamics data from the small creatures, and use it to morph itself. The participant can dance to foster the evolution.
The virtual creatures can also take energy from human voice. The participant can sing to feed the artificial life.
Very interesting screenshots have been obtained as a result of filming the morphing in a video feedback loop.

1.3 Tech
The installation uses two networked PCs with additional video and sound-processing cards. One computer is for the artificial life/augmented reality environment, the order for the optical tracking system. Code is written in C++, the visualisation uses DirectX. The tracking has been developed in 1999. It is very flexible, as it can accommodate to changing lighting conditions, does not need any special or reflective surface and can simultaneously track several participants.

I would also very much like to add a VRML web access to the virtual space of Dingir, and equipment for photorealistic /or even stereoscopic/ spacial visualisation. Any support is welcome.

2. Why /notes on Dingir 2.0/

2.1 "Dingir"
5000 years ago gods have landed in ancient Mesopotamia. They have teached the Sumerians many things, and had had also a concept of their own gods, who they said, had the power to create life by pure act of will. The Sumerians called these gods of gods, Dingir".
,,to spin our spine and weave all the threads of blood that came from the skies…"
I believe that genetic algorithms, laws of evolution, patterns of interaction apply to the known parts of our universe. We share the same cosmology, and an intricate web of interaction and communication, predatorship and survival, ,,the threads of blood" that we received as a gift ,,from the skies".

2.2 "Castanedize!"
Carlos Castaneda in his book /Teachings of Don Juan, Journey to Ixtlan, Tales of Power, etc./ presents us with a fascinating insight to the "beyond" worlds of Central-American Indians. I have found his writings about adventures in non-ordinary realities deeply resonating within me and he gave me new inspiration for the second version of Dingir. The ancient teachings all seem to have a common ground.

2.3 Conclusion
Inevitably, the installation uses high-tech to achieve the desired functionality. It uses augmented reality for visualisation, optical recognition, attractor algorithms and multiagent environment to achieve emergent life-like movement, body mutation was optimised with genetic algorithms.
It explores the convergence of real and virtual, telepresence, identity, body-as-the-interface, etc.
I don´t believe the humankind is here to last forever, but this is not pessimistic viewpoint. We´re just happen to be the first and only species known to US, whose emergent ability of consciousness has surpassed a certain threshold. There still may be many more thresholds to come and we are now able to enjoy the show.