exhibition1

It is a common experience that we are aware of another self, or even several selves, which are generally unconscious, but rise to the surface in various contexts. It is possible to observe in oneself different facets of personality in different situations, with different parts of the self emerging at different times. Using a computer to create a semi-autonomous replica of the person sitting in front of it, Alter Ego invites its audience to question the various facets of their own identity.

In this screen-based installation individual audience members interact with what appears to be their own mirror image but which is, in fact, an avatar onto which the face of the user is mapped in real time.

In the installation a stool with a curved black screen behind it is placed in front of what appears to be a mirror hanging on a wall. The individual user is invited to sit still on the stool with a blank expression on his or her face for some seconds. The computer captures images of the face via a webcam located behind the ‘mirror'. Using data gathered from these captured images, our system reorganises a stored 3D model to appear as the face of the user. As the computer is working the user will see an image which forms his or her own ‘reflection’. After about thirty seconds this reflection begins to react to, rather than mirror, the facial expressions of the user. For example: if the person viewed by the camera smiles, the virtual face, or ‘alter ego’, may look surprised or angry, or may smile back. This dialogue continues until the system detects that the face of the individual has moved outside its field of vision, at which time it is reset.

Alter Ego Description of Work
It is a common experience that we are aware of another self, or even several selves, which are generally unconscious, but rise to the surface in various contexts. It is possible to observe in oneself different facets of personality in different situations, with different parts of the self emerging at different times. Using a computer to create a semi-autonomous replica of the person sitting in front of it, Alter Ego invites its audience to question the various facets of their own identity. In this screen-based installation individual audience members interact with what appears to be their own mirror image but which is, in fact, an avatar onto which the face of the user is mapped in real time. In the installation a stool with a curved black screen behind it is placed in front of what appears to be a mirror hanging on a wall. The individual user is invited to sit still on the stool with a blank expression on his or her face for some seconds. The computer captures images of the face via a webcam located behind the ‘mirror'. Using data gathered from these captured images, our system reorganises a stored 3D model to appear as the face of the user. As the computer is working the user will see an image which forms his or her own ‘reflection’. After about thirty seconds this reflection begins to react to, rather than mirror, the facial expressions of the user. For example: if the person viewed by the camera smiles, the virtual face, or ‘alter ego’, may look surprised or angry, or may smile back. This dialogue continues until the system detects that the face of the individual has moved outside its field of vision, at which time it is reset.

Installation shot - Alter Ego (work in progress) in WONDERFUL Feb - Mar 2004 Arnolfini at L-shed, Bristol Industrial Museum, Harbourside, Bristol, UK
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