| Layered
Histories: |
Cynthia Beth Rubin visuals, narrative |
| a collection of short
animations viewed as either a linear video or as an interactive work |
Bob Gluck music/sound, programming |
Press
the arrow on the Quicktime controller to view excerpts of the work; Please be
patient while movies download
Installation Views, Jewish Museum of Prague
videos of live interactive users
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Excerpt of simulated installation of Layered Histories in Prague |
Excerpt
of linear video of Layered Histories |
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| Layered
Histories represents an innovative approach to the use of new media
as a means to engage the viewer in a personal investigation of a non-linear
narrative. Cascading animations and a diffusion of sound gestures are triggered
and guided by a visitor's reading pointer movements around the surface of
what appears to be an illuminated manuscript. Active gestures on the surface
are mapped to a software interface, designed with Max / MSP / Jitter. As
in a public reading, all visitors to the space share in the experience of
collectively viewing and listening. Layered Histories tells the imaginary story of an actual 13th century Spanish illuminated Hebrew Bible. Fleeing Spain with the 1492 Expulsion, the Bible was known to be in Safed until the mid 16th century, but then apparently disappeared until it was discovered around 1888 in the Bibliothèque Municipale in Marseilles. The story of Layered Histories is drawn from the imaginary wanderings of the Marseilles Bible, reflecting on the experience of culture as a phenomenon evolving from influences of place and cross-cultural contact. |
The
linear version of Layered Histories is a through-composed work. Like the
interactive installation, the rhythmic display of imagery glides us seamlessly
from past to present, from identifiable locations and decorative motifs
of the Bible to more universal references of landscape and seascape. As
in the interactive version, the sounds reveal an aesthetic parallel to
that of the visuals, of veiled sources and more distinctive sounds, with
each media emerging and changing independently. The linear work is available
on a DVD, which can be projected in a theater or gallery, or on a home
computer or DVD player. |
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contact:
info@cbrubin.net, gluckr@albany.edu |
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