Kickstarter

Do you see what I see? is an exploration of the self and perception. This piece engages two participants through the fundamental experience of sight by exchanging their vision. The act of exchange functions as a way of closing the gap of physical experience in order to create an archetypal accord between its viewers. This work blurs the line of our physical beings and offers the opportunity for viewers to share perspective. Do you see what I see? seeks to express Bill Viola’s revelation, “the central core of my living being, my aliveness, is the same essence present within all people, and furthermore that this essence extends beyond the human family and lies embedded in the foundations of nature.”

The connection between viewers would be developed by participating in the sculpture and sharing a physical existence. I envision it as a body with two heads. The development of the connection is less informed by what the participants see and more about the experience of exchange. Making this connection through this project is not to preach universality,  but make an awareness to overlapping experiences perceived by other people. 

Do you see what I see? would have to be engaged in pairs. Other gallery goers would see the performance of the people participating, which would be a spectacle in its self; two people subjecting each other to a teetering vulnerability.

I will use two pairs of video eyeglasses. There are small LCD monitors on the interior of the eye glasses that simulate looking at 67" t.v. I will attach a miniature camera on to the nose bridge of the eyeglasses. The camera on eyeglasses #1 will be wirelessly fed to the monitors on eyeglasses #2. The camera on eyeglasses #2 will be wirelessly fed to the monitors on eyeglasses #1. 

The illusion created by the eye glasses will switch the eyesight of the two participants wearing the eyeglasses. The participant wearing eyeglasses #1 will “see” what the participant wearing eyeglasses #2 “sees” and vise versa.  If you were facing your partner the eyeglasses would show you yourself. This process will create disorientation between the viewers. Disorientation is used as a tool to create a mutual understanding between the participants. Even though there is a discord between the viewers, they are brought together by this experience because they are responsible for one another. I will tailor the technology so it can be worn easily to provide viewer movement and a more immersive experience.

I plan on having the sculpture in a local Denver gallery. The "local" interaction will be held in a mostly empty gallery or would require an attendant because of the perceptual confusion that will be created. Ideally, the gallery would only consist of two small shelves on opposing walls that would hold the glasses when they are not in use. After Do you see what I see?'s "local" installment, I would like to show the work internationally. I have yet to solidify any plans to show it abroad but I am in contact with a couple curators and artists that will be able to help secure a venue. The challenge of the the international exhibition will be coordinating viewers in different time zones. The likely solution to this problem would be preformative exhibitions that would be orchestrated with two institutions during special events. 

This project will bring participants to a natural state of harmonious understanding based on the shared primal experience of seeing. “Do You See What I See?” will fulfill the cliché of walking in someone else’s shoes.

Budget
2 pairs of Vuzix Wrap 920 video eyeglasses: $800
2 VideoComm 5.8 GHz 8-Channel Selectable Pinhole CCD Camera & Reciever Kit: $800