Research Advisor Nuno Correia Research Co-Advisor
Sílvia Chicó
Programming Pedro Ângelo
Collaborations
Valentina Nisi [Play with Fire]
Maurício Martins [electronics]
Ricardo Webbens [sound design] Filipe Cruz [mobile app]
Margarida Faria[Virtual Hug]
Implementation Support
Local support @Maçal do Chão: Fernando Mendes
Maintenance @Maçal do Chão: Valter Cruz, João Correia AZ labs collaborators: Ricardo Lobo, João Carvalho, João Gonçalves
Research interests
Interactive Environments, Interface Design, New Media, Multimedia Arts, DiY culture, DiT projects, Design and Social Responsibility, Sustainability, Environmental Arts, Interactive Systems Design, Usability, Real-time Video
ARTiVIS – Arts, Real-Time Video and Interactivity for Sustainability – proposes to investigate innovative concepts and design methods regarding the use of real-time video as raw material for artistic exploration on environmental causes. In this exploratory project and practice-based research, we can also play a role as promoters of change in people's behavior regarding forest protection.
Can Digital Art foster awareness and respect for nature?
As a step in answering this question, we seek to contribute with a constructive approach to the destructive dynamics of fire that aggravate Climate Change, by addressing artistic, scientific and technological dimensions of the challenging issues explored in this research.
In order to test and progress the ARTiVIS research project, interactive installations using real-time video as raw material were created. B-Wind!, Hug@ree and Play with Fire were the three ARTiVIS experiences developed, publicly presented and evaluated in the scope of this research.
» B-Wind! focuses on the poetry of the movement to bring awareness on how local action can have consequences in remote places;
» Hug@ree enhances affection through the physical contact with nature and on how individual action can collectively become so relevant;
» Play with Fire explores the paradox between the aesthetic wonder and the consequences of forest fires.
The ARTiVIS system accomplished in the scope of this research also comprises the concept design of an online platform and the hardware prototype of an open source forest surveillance kit that will connect to the platform.
The aim is to stimulate awareness and prevention of fire related damages to the forest.
Interviews were conducted in order to validate the theme and to inspire the developments of the ARTiVIS project that were done. The interactive installations evaluation process gradually developed from usability aspects to more subjective issues like environmental awareness later on. From this process, we infer that these experiences contribute to a feeling of belonging, providing contact with nature and leading to social change through awareness on environmental issues – ultimately, for the design of a more sustainable environment.
Spreading the ARTiVIS project through social entrepreneurship is also on the horizon.
PhD fellowship in Digital Media in the framework of the UT Austin-Portugal Program, funded by FCT [Foundation for Science and Technology], specialization in Audiovisual and Interactive Content Creation.
Masters in Multimedia Educational Communication [MCEM "Redesign of Educational Video: Hypermedia Interfaces for Video and Television", UA]
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
This research is done in the framework of the PhD in Digital Media of the UT Austin-Portugal Program funded by FCT – Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (ref. SFRH/BD/42555/2007), with professors Nuno Correia and Sílvia Chicó as thesis advisors.
Acknowledgements to FBAUL and CIEBA for the support regarding participation in conferences and exhibitions; to Victoria Vesna, for the research term at UCLA Art|Sci center+lab; to O Espaço do Tempo, for the artist residencies.
We also thank Valentina Nisi for the collaboration in Play with Fire and AZ Labs and its members for the interactive installations development support, especially to Pedro Ângelo, who has been the programming the interactive installations implemented in the scope of this research.
--- Note on why publications prior to the 2011 Fall season spell RTiVISS in the place of the actual ARTiVIS
The project started as ARTiVISS, then RTiVISS – to be read with an english accent. By interviewing the Portuguese population and enabling them to participate in the installations (Hug@ree Summer) we realized the need of a clearer and broader communication, readable by people of every language. As the research becomes more focused on the use of real-time video for artistic explorations and interactions with local populations, we recognize the relevance to make the name understandable and memorable to all cultures. ARTIVIS is the actual proposal that keeps the essence of art and real time-video for sustainability, and brings more evidence on the connection of arts with an activist approach.
References
AGUIAR, Carlos, et al., CAPELO, Jorge (ed.) [2004] A paisagem vegetal da Ilha da Madeira, Quercetea 6: 3-200, ALFA, Lisboa. Portugal
BENJAMIN, Walter [1992] “A Obra de Arte na Era da sua Reprodutibilidade Técnica”, Sobre Arte, Técnica, Ciência e Política, Lisboa, Relógio D’Água Editores, transl. Maria Luz Moita [1936-39]
CSIKSZENTMIHALYI, Mihaly (1991) Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience, Harper Perennial
DE VALK, Marloes (2009) “Tools to Fight Boredom”, Contemporary Music Review, Volume 28, Issue 1
DGRF [2007], Defesa da Floresta Contra Incêndios 2007 (Defense against Forest Fire 2007), Direcção-Geral dos Recursos Florestais, Lisboa
MOREIRA, Fernando (coord.) [2005] Vigilância florestal, detecção e alerta de incêndios florestais e apoio a sistemas de combate, INOV – INESC Inovação, Inciativa sobre Incêndios Florestais COTEC [2005]
