Pharmakon 1996

Interactive computer sound installation

The Pharmakon is an interactive sound installation based on disease and infections. The viewer participates by moving medication bottles on a chessboard made of computer scans of the artist's skin. The initial sound consists of the artist's heartbeat and breathing. A computer interprets movements and manipulates the rate of breathing and heartbeat. As the viewer moves the bottles across the board the software increases heartbeat, breathing or both. As play continues the software will accumulate "infection." The infection is indicated by sounds added to the original heartbeat and breathing sound. Each sound is further manipulated in pitch and volume as viewers interact. This interaction creates a cacophony of sonic symptoms. The viewer is an infectious agent through play.

The software also attempts to counteract the viewers' play. A module in the software acts as an "immune response" that attempts to decrease symptoms and remove additional sounds. As viewers continue to interact over time, the immune response module is weakened until it is no longer functional. If play continues and the immune system is sufficiently weakened, the piece will "die" and no longer be interactive emitting a piercing tone that indicates its death. It is not guaranteed that during the exhibition of the piece that it will succumb, but it is always within the possibilities of the piece.

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