Observer

(2022.5)
Interactive Installation
Arduino, TouchDesigner, VCV Rack
Observer, Physical object, miniature of a brain in the jar




The virtual world for us is the reality for this brain in the jar. As people observing the environment, they could also being ovserved by somone from a higher dimension. Observing a higher dimension is impossible, so as knowing the truth of this hypothesis. However, our thoughts are the proof of our existence, our lives give us agency and freedom, so we can find our own meanings that are not decided by anyone. That is to say, the brain in a jar can also decide its own meaning. We can create it, but we can never be a creator, only observers.



Observer, Installation view

Installation view at “Elsewhere, Within Here”
Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, August 1 – September 30, 2023




This is the final work of a series of research and a body of work focusing on the topic of Life, Meaning, and Existence.

The title “Observer” has multiple levels of meaning. The brain is observing the changing virtual world, and its perspective is controlled by the audience observing it. By bringing the sci-fi theory of the brain in a jar into a physical miniature, the audiences are subconsciously convinced that it is possible, and are provoked to think about if they are also being observed like that.



Observer, TouchDesigner network

TouchDesigner network



The audience can use a miniature of a brain in a jar to control the perspective of a real-time generated virtual world in TouchDesigner. Rotating the physical object results in the same rotation of perspective on the screen. TouchDesigner also shares data with VCV Rack through OSC protocol, generating synchronized music that also won’t repeat.



Observer, different phases of the virtual world Observer, VCV Rack virtual synthesiser rack

different phases of the world / virtual synthesiser rack



The music has four patterns, corresponding with the four phases of the virtual world: the desert, forest and river, artificial buildings, the ocean, and loops back to the desert. The virtual world reflects on how humans damage the natural environment and how it recovers itself by destroying human civilizations. Much like a time-lapse of millions of years of the Earth’s history and future.




Installation view at “FARAWAY” solo exhibition
Dowel, Tokyo, January 14–15, 2023




An audio recording of the artist’s monologue is played from the headphone, explaining his understanding and feeling about storytelling. When he thinks of a story, the perspective always jumps between subjective and objective, while the emotions remain consistent. Two consciousness of one emerge, so he could be both the observer and the observed.

Sometimes I see a piece of memory, a story, an illusion.
Who's the narrator? Who's the hero?
Are thee faraway or within myself?
Or the border between the two is in vague?



Observer, Installation view




The audiences listen to the monologue and the music, observe the physical miniature of a brain in the jar, and discover the connection between the miniature and the virtual world on screen. They are provoked to think more about themselves, who are they observing, and whether they are also being observed.





FEATURED IN


“FARAWAY” solo exhibition

“FARAWAY” solo exhibition

Dowel, Tokyo
January 14–15, 2023

Elsewhere, Within Here

Elsewhere, Within Here

Pratt Institute, NY
August 1 – September 30, 2023


Observer at FARAWAY, exhibition view
Observer, Physical object, miniature of a brain in the jar
Observer at Elsewhere, Within Here, exhibition view
Observer at FARAWAY, exhibition view
Observer at FARAWAY, exhibition view
Observer at Elsewhere, Within Here, exhibition view
Observer at Elsewhere, Within Here, exhibition view