Event 3: Color Light Motion - Toni Dove

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The third event I've attended this quarter is the Color Light Motion event spotlighting artist Toni Dove. Dove is known for her use of technologies such as motion sensing or machine learning to create an art performance that "fuses film, game, or instrument-based interaction with experimental theater." In this event, we looked at some of her works featured in the Bermant Collection of media and kinetic arts. 

One of the things mentioned in Dove's presentation was the concept of the uncanny valley. This term describes a phenomenon in which a non-human object comes close to resembling a human but not quite. My prior experience with this concept has always been to equate it with creepy, unsettling images such as weirdly realistic mannequins. However, Dove takes a different spin on the concept- she goes towards "the opposite end" of the uncanny valley spectrum by merely suggesting something with motion, wherein "something almost becomes something" and that something is abstract. So instead of suggesting the appearance of a human, it can suggest a variety of other entities/concepts. Dove referenced an artist, Fabian Sanchez, to represent this concept with his artwork 'Petit Homme' (eng translation: little man).

Screenshot from event - Petit Homme

Dove carries this idea into her own pieces. One such example is 'The Dress That Eats Souls' described by Dove as "an interactive robotic dress installation". The Dress is made up of a projection screen and a gaming interface so that it can mimic the actions of the viewer in front of it. This is meant to make the viewer feel as if they are in the dress themselves. The Dress also speaks and the overhead screen plays POV experiences of those who have worn the Dress before- a metaphor for the relationship between humanity and technological progression. 

Screenshot from event - The Dress That Eats Souls

Another piece by Dove that interested me also has to do with motion sense technology. Similar to the Dress, the viewer 'controls' a projection of lights in a phenomenon described by Dove as motion connection. The interactive piece is set in a dark room so that the viewer can be immersed in the experience. I find it fascinating that we can connect with technology in this way. 

Screenshot from event - Motion Connection

Registration screenshot:

















References:

Bolles, Dana. “Black Holes.” NASA, NASA, 2022, https://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/focus-areas/black-holes.

Caballar, Rina Diane. “What Is the Uncanny Valley?” IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 18 Aug. 2021, https://spectrum.ieee.org/what-is-the-uncanny-valley.

“Color, Light, Motion: About David Bermant.” David Bermant Foundation, 8 Jan. 2021, https://davidbermantfoundation.org/about/#bermant.

Dove, Toni. “Lucid Posession.” Bustlelamp, 2016, https://tonidove.com/category/lucid-possession/

Dove, Toni. “The Dress That Eats Souls: A Robot in Progress.” Bustlelamp, May 2016, https://tonidove.com/the-dress-that-eats-souls-a-robot-in-progress/


Image References:

Dove, Toni. "Motion Connection." 2018. The Ringling Museum.

Dove, Toni. "The Dress That Eats Souls." 2018. The Ringling Museum.

Fabian Sanchez. "Petit Homme." 1985. Butler Institute.

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