fromCONCENTRATE

research blog of artist John O'Shea

Mar 17, 2010 0

Interaction as Theatre

In Lev Manovich’s Interaction as an Aesthetic Event – a text describing mobile phone evolution up to 2005 – he outlines a notion of technological interaction as theatre.*

One thing which this brings to my mind, is a memorable early scene in The Matrix (Neo’s first encounter with the elusive Morpheus) where a Nokia phone is taken out of a parcel box and, without stimulation, the mouthpiece of the device springs forth, giving a physical expression to the already heightened sense of ‘drama’ in this particular moment.

Whilst searching for a YouTube clip of the scene, I stumbled across a comment left on another video (specifically related to that Nokia phone) which gives further clues to the nature of this seductive and overwhelming effect:

lndac02 (3 months ago)
I still have mine, its a design classic. I used to feel like neo ever time I clicked the slider down to take a call. it is a cool phone and always will be.

Below, a fan remix video highlights this juxtaposition of cellphone interaction and drama in The Matrix; mobile ringtones precede heroic violence against an oppressive infrastructure; telephones are presented as both gateways and exits for drama and escape. (Watch it all – it’s great!)

Another YouTube video (below) makes audible, the ominous electro-magnetic interference which often preceded the shrill personalised ringtones of the late nineties – further emphasising another way in which these mobile devices engender dramatic tension.*  (Inadvertently?) the video also has some kind of intense rhythmic machine-like banging in the background.

So! – Don’t be annoyed next time someone picks up a call at an inappropriate time – REMEMBER! – In our, highly-networked, global society, ALL PHONES are the BAT-PHONE: Each and every one of us must, at all times, be ready and willing to be called upon and to act in the role of protagonist, centre ov the stage.***

* refers to: Brenda Laurel, Computers as Theatre (1991)
**iPhone users still experience this nostalgia-tinged interference phenomena if they go anywhere near an old telly.
***It does appear to be the case that we are all subconsciously sleepwalking towards the belief that we are NOT IN FACT MERELY RECEIVING A PHONECALL but instead, that we are at a pivotal point of the most important drama ever to manifest and potentially we are making THE crucial connection which might ultimately FREE (not only our individual self, but also) the whole of humankind from our collective technological enslavement.

RSS Re-Dock

  • From Fantasy to Reality
    It's over a year now since I first met the group of young people involved in 'Project Triangle'. Looking back, it's easy to see a huge increase in confidence, both from their involvement in the project, and from the work they've done in presenting the film and educational DVD to various groups across the country. On the main, they […]
  • Simple (BIG) Interface
    A couple of weeks ago I took part in DIY Music Day at the World Museum, Liverpool. The event was organised by Ross Dalziel of Sound Network, as part of a series of events called How Why DIY? which aimed to open up technology to a wider audience.This event explored ways in which people could engage with sound, from making their own thumb pianos from simple ma […]
  • Digital Media Labs Award
    Re-Dock are delighted to have been selected for a Digital Media Labs, research and development residency, happening in Hull at the end of October.The residency has been organised as part of the commissioning process for an interactive art work for the new Wilberforce Health Centre in Hull. And, our successful application means that one of us will be spending […]
  • mutate and re-mix!
    "A Small Cinema" has grown beyond our control and, like all great 21st century ideas it has gone VIRAL! We really hoped this day would come (but we hadn't realised that it would be quite so soon!).Tonight a small cinema opens in Oldham, operating out of an empty shop and showing a run of feature films. The project, has been set up by 17 year o […]
  • Gross Indecency
    As a collective, I think all us Re-Dockers are very clear and what is and what is not a Re-Dock project. We've mainly worked this out from our own work practices, where making a living is a major priority. Re-Dock as a CIC can be much more selective. However, it's interesting examining how our work as individuals has grown and been influenced by ou […]
  • The Signs are all there...
    We have just started work on another Re-Dock project involving the Leeds-Liverpool canal. Building on the work we did for Canal &, we are using the memories and ideas gathered as a starting point for a signage installation next to the new Pennington Road bridge.'Constellation Of Signs' will be made of over 100 aluminium road and tourist informa […]