Digital Artist: Aziz & Cucher, "Synaptic Bliss: Villette"

   Anthony Aziz and Sammy Cucher created "Synaptic Bliss: Villette Numerique 2004," as it states in the title, in 2004. It was exhibited in Parc de la Villette, Paris. The artists had been working together since 1991 and are based in Brooklyn.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7156/6419433881_a28e0319f1_b.jpg

   The piece consists of a 4 panel installation that projects both video and audio. One can only imagine standing in the midst of these 4 large panels, surrounded by images of micro-biologic nature. The artists intend to create a world that verges on the boundaries of polar opposites. This includes organic and digital, micro and macro.

   I believe that they succeeded in portraying their intentions. If one stands in the center of the installation, the rest of the world is mostly blocked out by these 4 massive screens. One is transported into micro, organic workings, yet can not deny that the images are created in a digital format. I believe that a sense of curiosity is also given. A viewer, unless extremely versed in micro biology, will not know what organism these micro portions belong to. I could imagine interacting with this piece for a long period of time, possibly with a quizzical look upon my face.

   As far as critiques go, I appreciate the work that went behind this installation. It creates a space for the audience to enter, therefore bringing a great deal of viewer interaction into play. Yet, I believe the piece would have worked better in an all white room, allowing the viewer to totally ex-communicate the surroundings beyond the screens.

http://www.azizcucher.net/texts
http://eyebeam.org/projects/synaptic-bliss-villette