IMAGOSPHERE


Interdisciplinary student research project




Film and TV Faculty of Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (= FAMU)





Authors: Michal Kindernay, Ondřej Vavrečka, Matěj Strnad, Miloš Vojtěchovský (Centre of Audiovisual Studies,

FAMU)


Consultation and collaboration: Robert Horvitz, Peter Morihladko, Jakub Hybler, Marold Langer Phillipsen etc.


Statement: Contemporary city is a world of multi-layered processes, of which some are not present in the reflection of our every-day experience. The space is loaded by spectrums of migrating data, images and sounds that can not be seen or heard by our “unarmed” senses. Similarly to ionosphere, biosphere, noosphere or infosphere we suggest entitling this phenomenon imagosphere. From the physical point of view the imagosphere is consisted of the electromagnetic waves ranged from 300 MHz to 6 GHz. These waves establish the communication between machines or between a man and a machine. We understand the imagosphere on both symbolic and real level. It is a part of the techno-civilization development, its consequence and a symptom of its fragility as well. We assume that this phenomenon has a significant effect on both human behavior and the environment in general.


Aim of the project: The main aim of the project is to explore the imagosphere not only from the perspective of the technology but from the perspective of other discourses, too: art, literature, sociology or hygiene. The last mentioned is related to electro smog (or non ionizing radiation to be more precise) – a pollution which increasingly infiltrates into local and global environment.1


Preparation and realization: The authors are finalizing the construction of an Imagograph. It is a set of technological systems designed for monitoring and collecting data in a given range of the imagosphere.


The unit consists of:

  1. • an analogue image receivers, ranges: 1.2, 2.4 and 5.6 GHz

• a DIY wireless signal receiver ranged from 0.1 GHz to 2.5 GHz

• software applications for measuring the intensity of wireless signals and for sonification and visualization of these signals

  1. •a Global Positioning System (GPS) module

  2. •two notebooks working with whole given spectrum and the intensity and density of Wi-Fi signal

  3. •professional spectrum analyzer

  4. •wide-band radio receiver (100 kHz – 2150 MHz)

  5. •omnidirectional and directional antennas destined for the amplification of the signal


Topics: The usage of the Imagograph opens a wider range of questions that we want to put through our project. Questions of electromagnetic waves are related for example to the problems of legislation. Broadcasting and receiving of signal in certain ranges is illegal, because those ranges are used by surveying and controlling institutions. CCTV (Closed-circuit television) signal, so called electronic infant mothers’ signal or signal from electronic car-mirrors is not often encrypted and penetrates through the walls. These technological characteristics make necessary to redefine in the framework of the imagosphere the question of boundaries between private and public. To which degree this signal can intervene into public space and bias it the way our senses normally do not perceive? Another spectrum of questions concerns the ecological aspect of imagosphere: Is the wireless broadcast image spread in the public space something that is destined to waste or decline – like a trash? If it is so, is this “trash” dangerous and how to handle it?


Locus of research: The first output of the project is the map of the imagosphere superposed on geographic circular map whose centre is represented by the TV and radio broadcaster in Prague, Žižkov. This broadcaster is the most (in)famous and the most noted spot in Czech Republic which is surrounded by invisible migrating data. If it is not the real point, then it could at least serve as a symbolic departing point of discussions about the harmful impact of imagosphere upon an organism.3


Outputs and methodology: Using Imagograph, we map a circle area with a radius 1 km around the Žižkov broadcaster. Where possible, we will take into account a differentiation of a signal in reference to the distance to the ground level. The recorded shape of imagosphere will be registered into the geographical map of Žižkov and its surroundings. The important factors are mainly the relative imagosphere density (i.e. number and intensity of used frequency bands) and characteristics of the broadcast image signal. Then we will analyze the indices of intensity and typology of recorded signal and make visualization and sonification4 of the data obtained.

Classification and documentation: The following phase of the research is registering and classifying the sources of wireless broadcast image – cameras installed in private or public space. The research worker, who is searching for a signal, biases the quality of image receiving as well: the closer to the source of the signal the worker is, the better image quality he gets. The best quality he gets, when situated right under the sight of the camera. Camera is recording him and he sees his own image as it entered into the space of imagosphere. He becomes its part. We will reflect this phenomenon of “entering into the medium” by superposition of imagosphere material and material documenting the process of searching of imagosphere signal.


Confrontation: The third output of the project is to draw attention at high imagosphere density that contrast with low level of public acquaintance about it. We will try to increase this awareness through the conversations with the people living or working in highly imagosphere exposed areas. We will confront them with recorded and processed material.

Workshop: The results and drawn conclusions will be presented in the interdisciplinary workshop entitled “On research of invisible imagosphere terrain in Prague”, planned on the beginning of December 2012. The schedule will include contributions of experts to the topic of wireless broadcast image and to other related questions (public space, legislation, hygiene, art, technology etc.), then a demonstration of Imagograph, and a report on elaboration and evaluation on obtained data.


performance during festival 4x4 days in motion:

Pokers and Seekers is a techno-pataphysical initiation and ritual street performance, organized as part of the Imagosféra research project. The project’s aim is to study the invisible labyrinth of the city, inhabited by countless species and taxonomic families of ethereal beings, feeding on and living within electromagnetic radiation. The performance includes a demonstration of a receiver and an encounter with a unit of so-called pokers, who sweep, exorcise, and throw signals. Pokers use their poking instruments to poke beings, sweeping out the twists and turns of the ether. They not only sweep out beings, but also sweep them towards seekers, who then catch them – or at least try to. The emanation of the invisible culminates in a ritual initiation into the visual video-realm.
















































visualizations of data and imagospehere:


imagosphere walk NO.2
























examples of data visualization in a specific map:



































data AV carpets:


1.2 GHz       2.4 GHz                                           2.4 GHz














































imagospehere conference in TranzitDisplay gallery:


here...















The project was realized with the support of Student Grant Competition of Academy of Performing Arts, Prague and the symposium was prepared in cooperation with Tranzitdisplay.


Contacts:

Michal Kindernay, insectual@societyofalgorithm.org

Ondřej Vavrečka, nevime@email.cz

Miloš Vojtěchovský, milos.vojtechovsky@famu.cz

Matěj Strnad, matej.strnad@gmail.com